Why Mika Zibanejad is Rangers biggest X-factor this season
A whole bunch of things need to go right — or at least better than a year ago — for the New York Rangers to play their way back into the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season. And Mika Zibanejad is a massive part of that equation.
So much so, in fact, that Zibanejad feels like the true X-factor for the Rangers this season.
Zibanejad isn’t exactly a typical selection for that distinction. He’s a star player, one of the best on the Rangers. Usually, a team knows what it’s going to get from its best players.
But it’s different with Zibanejad, especially this season. That’s because — outside of goalie Igor Shesterkin — no one affects the Rangers more than their longest-tenured player. Since there’s been a fairly wild swing of extremes with Zibanejad, the Rangers can’t say for sure they know which player — and leader — they’ll get this season.
Hence, X-factor.
When Zibanejad is going good, you can see and feel his teammates feed off his positive energy. He makes those around him better, and there’s a definite fun, cool vibe when he and the Rangers are crushing it. When Zibanejad is right, so are the Rangers. He’s that influential on and off the ice.
The power play hums when he’s on. The Rangers play their best 5v5 when Zibanejad is engaged in all three zones. He’s a tone-setter. Think of the first two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2024 as the latest best example of that.
But when he’s off his game, Zibanejad drags down the rest of his teammates. There’s a distinct cause and effect. That certainly happened in the 2024 Eastern Conference Final, when the Florida Panthers turned him into a non-factor.
The most negative example is what took place last season, when Zibanejad carried resentment toward management and hurt feelings onto the ice with him. His body language was atrocious — as was his effort on too many nights. His production dropped to a seven-season low.
The Rangers? Their power play was an eyesore, they couldn’t get out of their own way defensively, lack of effort was a hallmark more often than not, and they missed the playoffs for the first time in four years.
Coincidence? Think not.
There’s a reason Mike Sullivan made it priority No. 1 to win over Zibanejad after being named Rangers coach in May, flying to Sweden for a face-to-face get-to-know-you. Or why the coach elected to start the season with Zibanejad on J.T. Miller’s line, per the players’ wishes.
Zibanejad is the X-factor.
Jonathan Quick, Matt Rempe among other X-factor candidates for Rangers
There are other Rangers who fit the bill as an X-factor this season.
For instance, they need Jonathan Quick to bounce back and be a better version of himself as the No. 2 goalie. If the 39-year-old complements Shesterkin to the level he did in 2023-24, during the Presidents’ Trophy-winning season, it sets up the Rangers as a legit playoff contender.
Will Cuylle, Alexis Lafreniere, and/or Braden Schneider taking that next big step in their development makes each an X-factor candidate. If Noah Laba locks down the 3C role in his rookie season, he’s on the short list, too. Ditto if one of the kids starting the season with Hartford of the American Hockey League gets the call and sparks the Rangers at some point in the season. That’s you Gabe Perreault, Scott Morrow, Brett Berard, and Brennan Othmann.
Matt Rempe? Yeah, there’s another candidate. Especially if he can spark the second power-play unit with his towering net-front presence — and continue to improve as an even-strength force.
Each of these players factors into the ultimate success or failure of the Rangers this season. But none holds more power, more sway, or a wider variance of what direction things go for the Rangers than Zibanejad.
