Mika Zibanejad becomes the third-line center of the Rangers this season – Hockey Writer – New York Rangers
The New York Rangers’ forward team will advance this season. JT Miller will be back for the full campaign, but Chris Kreider is gone, the first time Mika Zibanejad has played.
Questions about Zibanejad started last season. His even work has clearly taken a step back over the past two years, and his skating has consistently dropped with the skating. While he remains a big part of the roster, is Rangers asking him to do too much in the frontline role?
Some speculate that moving Zibanejad to the right wing to get him into the top six, but a better option is to transfer him to the third row. At this stage of his career, the 3C seat will play to its strengths and balance the team’s forward ranks.
Zibanejad’s role
Zibanejad has dropped significantly in five-on-five games in 2024-25, and although there is still time in the top six wingers and offensive zones, there are only 13 goals and 37 even scores in 82 games.
His basic numbers tell the same story. Zibanejad’s shooting rate dropped, his regional entries worked poorly, and he worked hard to generate scoring opportunities from his hasty runs. He relies too much on power to maintain productive effects, which gives him limited influence in five to five.
Zibanejad as 3C
Rather than forcing Zibanejad into top attractions he can’t handle, the ranger should instead have him centered on the third line where his skills still have real value. He is still strong and can kill punishment and does not need to lead a haste to be effective. In the third line role, he can play more favorable games and help stabilize the middle of the lineup. More importantly, Rangers allow the winger to make this line work.
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Zibanejad, Brennan Othmann and Brett Berard will provide the Rangers with a balanced third line that combines experience, speed and edge. Othmann brings the physical element and shooting first mentality. Berard plays his energy, tracks the puck well and increases the pace of transition. Both players have shown that they can push the game from the wings, but don’t need to be on the scoring line to be effective.
Zibanejad will be the senior anchor between them, rather than asking him to drive the way he was in the past. It’s cleaner than anything the Rangers can make in the top six, which will give the team’s lowest six a distinct identity.
Give Gabe Perreault a chance
There is no longer a case where the top six are established around Zibanejad. He did not improve the bondage faster in the way he used to. Moving him to the right will not change. It will only shift the problem to different parts of the lineup.
Wanderers now have better options and don’t need to force anyone to lose their place. Miller could handle tough races in the middle, but was still driving. Will Cuylle adds a direct, north-south prep for Miller’s game. Gabe Perreault provides the kind of offensive feeling and balance that might make the line click if there are real minutes.
There is no need to wedge the Zibanejad into the unit. He doesn’t meet their pace and does not need to carry any time. Let the group work quickly and grow into their own identity without having to adapt to slower older captivity. If the Wanderers want to turn their top six into a more modern, sustainable group, then Zibanejad is not part of it. This did not reduce what he brought, but it clearly showed where he belonged.
Zibanejad’s way forward
Zibanejad still has a role in the Rangers’ lineup, but it’s not on the top line, nor on the wing. The best version for everyone is combined with the third line of Othmann and Berard, where his experience can support young wingers without slowing them down. This character is now suitable for his game, not his past character.
The ranger has new works to be built. For years, the top six didn’t have to rely on Zibanejad to play. They just need to make him and the team successful.
