Veteran Rangers reporter breaks down Mika Zibanejad’s issues on podcast: ‘I think he’s very sensitive’
Larry Brooks took an honest deep dive into Mika Zibanejad’s struggles with the New York Rangers on the most recent Spittin’ Chiclets podcast hosted by Ryan Whitney and Paul Bissonette on Tuesday.
The long-time New York Post hockey writer pulled no punches about the Rangers center, who’s poor two-way play has made him the focal point of New York’s shocking decline in play after winning the Presidents’ Trophy last season.
“Coming into this year, I think a lot of the criticism got to him,” Brooks explained. “I think he’s very sensitive — way too sensitive to what other people are saying about him. It gets in his head and it spirals and it spirals and it spirals. He hasn’t played well this year at all, honestly.”
That was evident again in the 2-1 loss to the last-place Chicago Blackhawks on Monday. In the first period, Zibanejad sent a soft wrap behind the Rangers net that was easily picked off by Chicago forward Taylor Hall. Then Zibanejad was a spectator in front when Tyler Bertuzzi took Hall’s pass and scored the first goal of the game.
His offensive production is inconsistent and defensive play sloppy. Overall, Zibanejad seems listless and without passion. It’s no reason why the Rangers have lost eight of their past 10 games and are fading fast in the Metropolitan Division.
Zibanejad’s struggles date back to last season, when his 26 goals and 72 points were a steep drop-off from the 39 goals and NHL career-high 91 points the season prior. Zibanejad’s flaws really were on display in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, when he failed to score a goal in the final 11 games of the postseason, struggled in all facets of the game and was heavily criticized.
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Larry Brooks calls Mika Zibanejad ‘his own worst enemy’
This season, Zibanejad has 20 points in 27 games, which doesn’t sound all too bad. However, his five goals and whopping minus-15 rating are areas for major concern.
The Rangers have been outscored 21-12 5v5 with Zibanejad on the ice, allowing 20 more high-danger chances. Per Natural Stat Trick, his xGF is an unacceptable 0.43.
Brooks points to the fact that Zibanejad had to play against big, physical centers in those playoff series last season, which exposed him. Zibanejad was often matched up against Jordan Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round, and Aleksander Barkov of the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final. Neither was a favorable match up for Zibanejad, who is less physical and plays more of a finesse game.
“I think the Rangers have always asked Mika to do things in the playoffs that he’s not capable of doing.” Brooks said. “That’s why I think they need a strong, physical, third-line checking center who can take some of that responsibility away from Mika. When teams want to go best on best and there’s a physical center, it’s hard for him.”
With Filip Chytil and Vincent Trocheck locked in at center behind Zibanejad, it doesn’t look like general manager Chris Drury will be adding a third-line checking center any time soon. So what can Zibanejad do about this? For now, not much. All he can do is continue to work through this slump and attempt to find the player he was two seasons ago, when he seemed to dominate every game he played.
Brooks believes the path to success comes from a different approach in the offseason. He also realizes that it doesn’t really help the Rangers right now, a time where they could use any help they can get.
“He needs to get bigger,” Brooks explained. “I think he needs to change his offseason a bit. It’s hard at that age (31). I think it’s a combination of him not playing well, and when he doesn’t play well, he’s his own worst enemy. His performance is not acceptable. The Rangers will not thrive, the Rangers may not make the playoffs, if he has a season like this.”
The Rangers playoff chances continue to worsen. After starting the season 5-0-1, they’ve gone completely ice cold, and are now out of a playoff position by one point after a 9-12-0 stretch. Though there are still 55 games to be played, time is ticking for the Rangers. They need to turn things around — and quickly.
The best way to do that is to get Zibanejad going again. Easier said than done.
“The Rangers need a lot more from Mika Zibanejad, who, essentially has become their third line 5v5 center,” Brooks concluded.
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