Each NHL team’s best contract heading into the 2019-20 season

New York Rangers – Mika Zibanejad

Contract: $5.35 million cap hit over the next three seasons

I’m not a fan of no movement clauses unless they are used to drive down the price of a great player. That’s the case with New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad. He’s only 26 years old and he’ll be 29 years old when his current contract is up. Unlike most players who get NMCs, Zibanejad projects to continue to be a great player throughout his current contract.

The Rangers took a gamble when they traded Derek Stepan. They did it because they felt that Zibanejad could take the next step and replace him. That’s precisely what he has done. Since signing the deal in the 2017 offseason, Zibanejad has 121 points in 155 games.

Last season, he had the best season of his career, posting career highs with 30 goals, 44 assists, and 74 points. The Rangers are ready to win now after acquiring Jacob Trouba, drafting Kaapo Kakko, and signing Artemi Panarin. Zibanejad is going to be a huge part of their team.

Honorable mentions: I don’t care what anyone thinks about the Panarin contract ($11.642857 cap hit over the next seven years). That’s extremely reasonable for a wing who impacts the game as much as he can. At $4.625 million, Chris Kreider has a darn good deal, though he has just one year left on it.