The case of Mika Zibanejad: What should the Rangers do?
It's been well known for a long time that the New York Rangers' core isn't getting any younger. That has been truer than normal for Mika Zibanejad, the Rangers top line center. Zibanejad has continued to decline throughout the last few years, and last night may have been the worst game he's had in a minute. I think the Rangers have a few options that they should use to fix this ongoing issue with one of their top players.
Give him less ice time
Zibanejad had not one, not two, but three bad turnovers that led to goals in the Rangers 6-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets at The Garden on Tuesday. One turnover came after he tried to clear the puck out of the defensive zone, before Josh Morrissey intercepted the pass and found Mark Scheifele alone in front, giving the Jets a quick lead. Zibanejad would then miss a pass in the offensive zone, allowing the Jets to score on a 2-on-1 the other way. He turned the puck over again in the neutral zone in the third to give the Jets another easy goal. Zibanejad had three shots on goal and a -4 plus-minus, tied for the worst on the team.
And this wasn't a one off game either. These problems have been happening all season for Zibanejad, and something needs to change. The young guys have been showing up the last few weeks, Filip Chytil and Will Cuylle in particular. In my opinion, there is no reason why these two should be playing less minutes then Zibanejad at the moment.
Take him off of PP1 until he figures it out
Until Zibanejad can learn how to play with real effort and poise again, Alexi Lafrenière should be on the first power play line. Head coach Peter Laviolette did take Zibanejad out of the power play on occasion, and Lafrenière did score in his place in the second period to tie the game. Zibanejad on the other hand, missed a wide open net on the power play in the third period that would've made it a 5-4 game and given the Rangers a real chance to make a comeback. The skill is still there, but for whatever reason, it just isn't showing on the ice.
What's wrong with 93?
I think Zibanejad could be battling an injury. He did leave the game in the second period before a draw, and did go to the locker room. However, he did return shortly after. I'm not sure if something is affecting him, but if it is, he needs to be sat so he can get back to normal. Playing through injury is admirable, but given how early in the season it is, it makes more sense to rest up rather than play through it. It's possible that he could just not be in the right space mentally after the tough exit last season, where Zibanejad was limited by the Florida Panthers during the Eastern Conference Finals.
Regardless of what's going on, something needs to change in the Rangers' lines to give Zibanejad a chance to find his game without ruining the game for the entire team. There were other issues outside of Zibanejad against the Jets and throughout the season, but he has been one of the more glaring issues. The Rangers need to act quickly before Zibanejad hurts himself or the team more.