Zibanejad named Second Star of the Week

The NHL has named New York Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad as the league's "Second Star" for the week ending Jan. 20.

Zibanejad scored the winning goal in all three of his appearances, topping the NHL with five total tallies (5-2—7) to propel the Rangers (21-20-7, 49 points) to a perfect week.

Zibanejad posted 2-2—4, his fourth career four-point performance and third of the season (also Oct. 23 vs. FLA: 2-2—4 and Dec. 29 at NSH: 0-4—4), in a 6-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes Jan. 15. He then scored once, the decisive marker, in a 4-3 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks Jan. 17. Zibanejad added two more goals in a 3-2 triumph over the Boston Bruins Jan. 19, making him the second player in the Rangers’ 93-year history to record the winning goal in three consecutive team games (also Rod Gilbert: Dec. 11-17, 1966).

The 25-year-old Huddinge, Sweden, native leads New York with 27 assists and 44 points in 48 total contests this season (17-27—44) – three points shy of his 72-game output from 2017-18 (27-20—47).

NYR TODAY Wednesday 4/18: NYR & Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

New York Rangers Birthday

Mika Zibanejad 2016-Present
Center #93
Born: April 18, 1993 in Stockholm, Sweden
2011: 1st Rnd, 6th by Ottawa Senators. Acquired by NY Rangers in exchange for Derek Brassard

NYR Alumni Birthdays April 18:

Valeri Kamensky LW (1999-2001) Dan LaCouture LW (2003-2004)

Today in NYR History April 18:

1994: The Rangers defeat the NY Islanders by the score of 6-0 for the second straight game to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

1995: Brian Leetch ties a franchise record with five assists in a game and sets franchise records for assists and points by a defenseman in a game with five against Pittsburgh.

1999: Wayne Gretzky says goodbye to the NHL as only he can.
Before a packed house at Madison Square Garden, Gretzky earns the 2,857th and final point of his NHL career, an assist in the New York Rangers' 2-1 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in their final game of the season.

Before the game, the festivities include videotaped messages from Gordie Howe, his boyhood idol. After Pittsburgh's Jaromir Jagr ends the game by scoring at 1:22 of OT, Gretzky takes a few laps around the Garden ice; they are reminiscent of the ones he took with the Stanley Cup during his days with the Edmonton Oilers in the 1980s.

Gretzky is still in uniform when he meets the media; when that's done, he sits for a while longer, allowing the moment to linger.

"Probably, subconsciously, I don't want to take it off,'' he says when asked why he hasn't changed. "I'm not going to pull it on ever again. It's hard. It's hard to take it off right now. I have to be honest with you. I don't want to take it off.  

"I was a boy that happened to love a game and got lucky, and the good Lord gave me a passion for it."

2007: The Rangers defeat the Atlanta Thrashers, 4-2, to complete the sweep in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

2008: Jaromir Jagr scores a goal and two assists in a 5-3 win over the Devils in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. The Rangers win the series, 4-1.

Rangers Notebook: Rangers acquire Holland from Montreal; Zibanejad has concussion

New York Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton announced today that the team has acquired forward Peter Holland from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Adam Cracknell.

Holland, 26, has skated in 20 games with the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League (AHL) this season, registering eight goals and 10 assists for 18 points, along with 19 penalty minutes. He was tied for second on Laval in assists, ranked third on the team in goals, and was tied for third on the team in points this season. Holland posted five multi-point games in 20 contests with Laval in 2017-18, including a four-point game (three goals, one assist) on Nov. 4 vs. Syracuse. The 6-2, 205-pounder has skated in 243 career NHL games over parts of six seasons (2011-12 - 2016-17) with Anaheim, Toronto, and Arizona, registering 35 goals and 46 assists for 81 points, along with 105 penalty minutes. Holland established career-highs in assists (18) and points (27) with Toronto during the 2015-16 season, and he tallied a career-high, 11 goals with the Maple Leafs in 2014-15. The Toronto, Ontario, native was originally selected by Anaheim in the first round, 15th overall, of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Cracknell skated in four games with the Rangers this season after he was claimed off waivers from Dallas on Oct. 9, 2017.

Zibanejad has concussion: The Rangers announced today that forward Mika Zibanejad did not skate today and has a concussion.

Zibanejad was a late scratch for Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Florida Panthers with what the team said was an upper body injury.

RANGERS AVOID ARBITRATION SIGN ZIBANEJAD (UPDATED)

OFFICIAL: The NY Rangers have agreed to terms with restricted free agent forward Mika Zibanejad on a five-year contract with an AAV of $5.35 million.

The breakdown of Zibanejad’s deal is as follows:

17-18: $5 million + $1 million signing bonus
18-19: $5.5 million
19-20: $5.35 million
20-21: $2.650 million + $2.5 million signing bonus
21-22: $4.750 million

Following the signing of Mika Zibanejad, the Rangers have 21 players signed and slightly over $3 million in cap space. (Cap Friendly)

NYR TODAY Tuesday 7/25: Arbitration Day for Mika, Staal's Fate?, Alumni Birthdays

Rangers, Zibanejad Meet Today for Arbitration Hearing

With the numbers already submitted to the Arbitrator; $4.1 million on behalf of the Rangers and $5.35 million requested from Zibanejad’s side, Jeff Gorton is still expected to meet with Zibanejad and his agent before today’s hearing to try and hammer out a multi-year deal that would likely come in between $5.25 million and $5.5 million according to some sources.

With rumors of a buyout of Marc Staal, the Rangers will have a 48-hour buyout window following settlement of the Zibanejad case that might resolve Marc Staal’s immediate fate.

NYR Alumni Birthdays 7/25:

Tony Granato RW (1988-1990) Ed Harrison LW (1950-1951) Aldo Palazzari RW (1943-1944)

Zibanejad's Arbitration Hearing Set

Mika Zibanejad and the Rangers Arbitration Hearing is set for Tuesday July 25.

If both parties cannot come to an agreement by then then both will submit their numbers to the arbitrator before Tuesday's hearing.

This will be Zibanejad's third NHL contrat. He is coming off a $2.625 million cap hit with an actually salary of $3.25 million.

Zibanejad is expected to receive a contract anywhere between 3 to 5 years with a salary between $4.5 and $4.8 million range.

NYR NOTES: Zibanejad, Fast, Desharnais

The NHLPA has announced that Mika Zibanejad has filed for salary arbitration:

Negotiations with Zibanejad can continue on a new contract right up until the hearing is about to start.

Jesper Fast has signed a three-year deal with the Rangers that has a cap hit of $1.85 million.

The Rangers have confirmed the David Desharnais signing.

The deal is for one-year and worth $1 million.

New Ranger Mika Zibanejad meets the New York Media

New Rangers center Mika Zibanejad met with reporters in New York on Friday and discussed a variety of topics surrounding his recent trade to the Blueshirts. Here are some of the highlights of what the 23 year-old Zibanejad had to say.

• How different is this for you, "a little different but it's exciting. A new chapter in my career and I am just really excited."
• On settling in, "the first couple of days, first week was hard to get used to. I was still in Ottawa and nothing that I was expecting but now that I have been here a couple of days, it's fun. It's fun to see what the city has to offer and the team and the organization."
• On his house in Ottawa, "we finished that, we lived in it a couple of weeks and we get to go back now and be there for August and then come back in September again."
• What are you going to do with it, "I don't know yet, we will see. That is a question we need to solve in the next month and go from there."
• Do you know Brassard, "not well. I have known him, he has been in Ottawa and skating and training and skating together, but not buddies I guess. I would say that I know him just saying hi."
• On the Sens saying they got the better player in the trade, "I guess they wouldn't make that trade if they didn't think so. In my mind, he is a real good player and doing great things in New York and for me it's just focusing on more proving the Rangers right than Ottawa wrong. I am just really excited for this opportunity and looking forward to it."
• Where are you in your career, "I feel and am expecting the same things as last year but better. I am a big guy down the middle and try to do the little things right, the details and pass, shoot. Try and be as all around as possible. As far as where I'm at at this stage in my career, the level I am at right now, I want to take the next step and I want that to be a big jump. I am trying to go step by step but I think I'm waiting and people have been waiting form y breakout year and that is what I am hoping for and working towards to have. I feel like at this stage in my career I am ready for that as well."
• On filling Brassard's role, "we are similar but different players. We can bring different elements to the team and I am focusing on what I can do to help the team to be as successful as possible as well as individual. He was a big part of it so stepping into that role, just try and do it as well as I can and do it my way."
• On the roster, "I've been looking at the roster and going through the guys and it's hard to say what the coach wants and the vision. Really talented forwards and I feel that wherever I play it's going to be good hopefully, and hopefully get the time in training camp to work on chemistry and work on the system together. I am excited for whomever I am going to play with."
• What do you know of AV's system, "I don't know too, too much. I have been talking to him and some assistant coaches as well as far as the system. I like to review that before I get here so that I have some knowledge and that when I come here I will have some background thoughts. It's a fast team and I feel like I can play that game and I am hoping I will fit where they put me and where they want me to play."
• What would a breakout year mean, "I think point wise you want to get higher every season, I have been improving that, but just more consistency in my game and with that consistency the points will come. I think it's more for me a mindset of not worrying about who I am playing against or the other way around, to be more of a threat and the other teams know that I am out there and be a big presence and that is kind of what my definition of that is."
• Have you heard from teammates, "Right away I think that I got 5-6 guys that messaged me and emailed me and called me. They have been really good and welcoming me. A lot of the guys are saying the same thing and that I will love it here, New York is New York and you can't get much better than this. Being from Stockholm, a city as well, going back to that will be nice. It's a change from Ottawa and little bit busier but I like that."
• Will you rent in the city, "We will see. I am working on moving that house here somewhere, I don't know if that is possible. We are looking right now and looked yesterday and looked today as far as a place and where to live."
• Who reached out, "Girardi did, McDonagh did, Hayes, JT, Lundqvist, Staal did. It was a couple of guys. I can't remember them all now but quite a few guys did and obviously it makes it more comforting and helps the process of a new team before you even meet them. Guys in this league are really good about taking you in and making you feel welcome right away."
• Did you have any previous relationships, "not really. I played against JT since under 17 and I know I bumped into him at under 20 when we had our preseason tournament in Lake Placid. I know him probably the best of all the guys, but I met the Swedes as well and that is always comforting to have one or a couple of Swedes help you out a little bit."
• On playing at the Garden, "it was fun. You always look for that date when you are coming here. Playing in MSG, it's a fantastic atmosphere playing here. It doesn't seem to matter what team, it's always going to be packed and busy. It was tough, a team like the Rangers, it's easy to feed off the crowd and I think that is one of the things I am really looking forward to. It's a tough building to play in but a great atmosphere, can't wait to play on the home side."
• Can the team make another run, "I think so. I am really excited for this team that we have and the guys and the core group that have been going far are still here. It's a fun group to be part of and fun to have that goal and mindset not just to make the playoffs but go far and aim for the Cup. It's going to be exciting."
• On special teams, "I played a lot in Ottawa and our special teams were up and down, PK wasn't great. Our PP was up and down and we had times we worked really well and times we didn't. For me, the times that didn't go well are a learning experience and the things that I take with me. You need to get out of slumps and at times we did and at times we didn't. I am hoping to bring what I had there and improve on it. Obviously as a young guy you want to improve on it. It's going to be interesting where I fit in and what thoughts they have for me."
• You didn't see it happening, "it's nothing that I counted on, obviously. That is why it took me like a week to figure it out or, not accept it, but figure out what has been happening but it's one of those things that can happen and if it does it's a great team to come to."

More highlights from the Press Conference via NY Rangers:

"Playing in Madison Square Garden, it's always been a fantastic atmosphere every time I've played there. It doesn't seem to matter what team you are playing against, the crowd is always into it. It was tough, but real easy to feed off the crowd. That's one of the things I am really looking forward to. I can't wait to play on the home side there."

"I'm really excited for this team we have right now, the guys that we have, the core group of guys that have gone far (in the playoffs) in the past. It's going to be fun to be a part of. It's going to be fun to have that goal, that mindset, of not just making the playoffs, but to go far. It's going to be exciting."

"It's a fast team, and I feel like I can play that game. I'm hoping I'll fit wherever they put me and whatever way they want me to play."

"My points have gotten higher every season, and I want that again--my goals, my assists, to go up; but I want more consistency in my game, and with more consistency in my game the points should come. I think for me it's more of a mindset of, last year it was having that guy come at me, now I want it to be the other way around, to be more of a threat, make other teams know that I am out there, be a big presence."

New NYR Profile: Mika Zibanejad

The Rangers acquired Mika Zibanejad from the
Senators in a trade on Monday.

NEW YORK – The New York Rangers on Monday acquired forward Mika Zibanejad (MEEKA zih-BAN-ih-jad) and a 2018 second-round pick from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for forward Derick Brassard and a 2018 seventh-round pick.

Below is a bio on Zibanejad.

In 2015-16 with the Ottawa Senators, Zibanejad established new NHL career highs in goals (21), assists (30), points (51) and games (81), and led the Senators while concluding the season in a tie for 11th among NHL players with seven game-winning goals. The seven game-winning goals were the first seven of his NHL career after having registered his first on Oct. 14 at Columbus (7-3 win). He tied for the team lead as one of only two Senators (Turris) with multiple game-deciding shootout goals. He scored the first shorthanded goal of his NHL career on Oct. 22 vs. New Jersey (5-4 SO loss), and recorded three points in one game for the third time in his career (and for the second time this season) on Dec. 14 vs. Los Angeles (5-3 win). In tandem with Mike Hoffman (two goals, one assist), his three-point game (one goal, two assists) helped Ottawa to a second consecutive win over the Kings for only the second time (and for the first time since Dec. 3, 1998). In conjuction with Mark Borowiecki, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Bobby Ryan, he scored one of the team’s four third period goals to help the Senators recover from a two-goal deficit with less than 12 minutes remaining to earn a win in regulation time for only the second time in franchise history on Jan. 16 at Los Angeles (5-3 win). The win over the Kings saw the club extend its winning streak against Los Angeles to three for the first time (including two consecutive wins at STAPLES Center/at L.A. for the first time) while its regular season series sweep of the Kings was the team’s first of at least two games.

Zibanejad recorded the fastest hat trick in franchise history when he scored three goals in a span of 2:38 of the third period to help the team recover from a 4-2 third period deficit on Feb. 27 at Calgary (6-4 win). His three goals in three or fewer minutes against the Flames saw him become the first NHL player since teammate Bobby Ryan accomplished the feat while a member of the Anaheim Ducks on Jan. 8, 2009, while he also became the first NHL player to help his team recover from a two-goal third period deficit by recording a natural hat trick since Edmonton’s Taylor Hall did so on Feb. 19, 2011, against Atlanta.

The 6'2", 222-pounder was one of two Senators (Hoffman) who scored to tie a game inside of regulation’s final minute in an eventual overtime win -- the first such occasion that the team has earned two comeback wins of that kind in the same season – on March 15 vs. Minnesota (3-2 OT win). He became the fifth Senator (Daigle, Havlat, Hossa and Yashin) to score 20 or more goals during two separate seasons before his 23rd birthday for the club when he reached the 50-point plateau for the first time in his NHL career on April 7 vs. Florida (3-1 win).

Zibanejad sustained a head injury on Dec. 1 vs. Philadelphia (4-2 loss) that caused him to miss the team’s next game.

In 2014-15, Zibanejad established new statistical career highs in all major categories; goals (20), assists (26), points (46), penalty minutes (20) and games (80). He Improved to nine-for-19 for his NHL career in shootout attempts after converting on five of 11 attempts. He recorded a two-goal game (on two occasions) for the first time in his NHL career, and Registered a new career best with four points (two goals, two assists) to help the Senators recover from a 3-0 deficit to earn a win on Dec. 7, 2014. vs. Vancouver (4-3 OT win). He Matched his career high in goals (16) while establishing a new career high in points (34) in the building in which he was drafted on March 3, 2015 at Minnesota (3-2 SO loss). The right-handed shooter established a new career high when he registered at least one point in a seventh consecutive contest on March 8, 2015 vs. Calgary (5-4 SO win), and recorded the 100th point of his NHL career on April 7, 2015 vs. Pittsburgh (4-3 OT win). He Played in the 200th game of his NHL career on April 11, 2015 at Philadelphia (3-1 win), and recorded four points (one goal, three assists) in six quarter-final games against Montreal.

In 2013-14, the forward began the season with Binghamton (AHL), recording seven points (two goals, five assists) in six games. He was recalled to Ottawa on Oct. 22, 2013,  and remained with the Senators for the balance of the season, where he established new NHL career highs in goals (16), assists (17), points (33) and games (69). He Recorded the second game-deciding shootout goal of his career on Jan. 11, 2014 at Nashville (2-1 SO win), and ranked third among Senators with three shootout goals (six attempts). He played in the 100th game of his NHL career on Feb. 8, 2014 at Boston (7-2 loss), but ustained a neck strain on Dec. 19, 2013 vs. Florida (4-2 loss) causing him to miss the team’s following game. He missed the team’s final two regular-season games that season due to illness.

In 2012-13, Zibanejad began the season with Binghamton, registering 11 points (four goals, seven assists) and 10 penalty minutes over 23 games. He scored the first goal of his professional career on Nov. 16, 2012 against Adirondack. He was recalled by Ottawa on Jan. 26, 2013, where he made his NHL season debut the next day in a 3-2 home win over Washington. He remained with Ottawa for the duration of the season, where he scored scored the first goal of his NHL career on Jan. 30, 2013 against Montreal (5-1 win), and led Ottawa rookies (ranking fourth among Senators) in team scoring. He was eighth among all NHL rookies in points, and tied for the Senators team-lead with three power-play goals. He had three multi-point games, and played in each of Ottawa’s 10 playoff games, scoring one goal and adding three assists Zibanejad recorded first playoff point (an assist) as part of two-assist effort in Game 1 at Montreal on May 2, 2013 (4-2 win), and scored his first NHL playoff goal in Game 4 vs. Montreal on May 7, 2013 (3-2 OT win).

Among all-time Senators, the Huddinge, Sweden native currently sits in sole possession of 29th place in having played 281 regular season games for Ottawa, is tied for 21st place (Z. Smith) among all-time Senators with 64 goals, and Is tied for 31st place (Butler, Hoffman, Prospal, Stone) among all-time Senators with seven game-winning goals.

Zibanejad won gold in the 2012 World Junior Tournament, and silver in the World Junior Under-18 Tournament in 2011. He was born on April 18, 1993.

The centerman was drafted sixth overall by Ottawa in the first round of the 2011 NHL Draft.

NYR TODAY TUES 7/19: Brassard Trade Fallout, Alumni Birthdays

Rangers Shake Things Up
Looking to add some "new blood" into the lineup the New York Rangers traded away fan favorite Derick Brassard to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for young forward Mika Zibanejadand a 2nd round pick in the 2017 NHL entry Draft. Zibanejad has one-year left on his contract with a $2.625M and will be an RFA come next season. In what looks to be both a shakeup and a "salary dump" for the Rangers with Brassard due 5M for the next 3 years with a no trade clause attached most fans seem annoyed by the move as Brassard seemed to be coming into his own in New York. Whether this is just the tip of the iceberg for moves by GM Jeff Gorton this off season remains to be seen but, the consensus around the league is the Rangers are not done yet.

NYR Alumni Birthdays 7/19 
Benoit Gosselin D (1977-1978) Fedor Tyutin D (2004-2007)

Rangers acquire Mike Zibanejad for Derick Brassard

New York Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton announced today that the team has acquired forward Mika Zibanejad and a second round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Derick Brassard and a seventh round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

Zibanejad, 23, skated in 81 games with Ottawa this past season, registering 21 goals and 30 assists for 51 points, along with 18 penalty minutes. He established career-highs in several categories in 2015-16, including games played, goals, assists, points, game-winning goals (seven), and faceoff win percentage (50.5; 659-for-1,306). Zibanejad has tallied a goal on 13 of his 28 career NHL shootout attempts (46.4%), and he has recorded five game-deciding goals in the shootout. Zibanejad’s five game-deciding goals in the shootout are the second-most a Senator has tallied since 2005-06, as he passed Daniel Alfredsson for sole possession of second place during this past season.

Zibanejad led the Senators in game-winning goals, faceoff wins, and faceoffs taken, ranked third in shorthanded goals (two), tied for third in games played, tied for fourth in assists, and ranked fifth in points and power play points (11) in 2015-16. He tied for fifth in the NHL in shootout goals (four; 4-for-9) and game-deciding goals (two) in the shootout this past season. Zibanejad ranked third among Ottawa forwards in shorthanded ice time per game in 2015-16 (1:25). He tallied 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in 24 contests against Metropolitan Division opponents this past season. Zibanejad recorded 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) in the final 38 games of the season, and he ranked second on Ottawa in goals over the span.

The 6-2, 222-pounder has skated in 281 career NHL games over parts of five seasons (2011-12 – 2015-16), all with Ottawa, registering 64 goals and 87 assists for 151 points, along with 64 penalty minutes. Over Zibanejad’s first five seasons, 52 of his 87 career assists have been primary assists. Zibanejad tallied at least 20 goals and 40 points in each of the last two seasons. He was one of only three Senators who recorded 20 or more goals in both 2014-15 and 2015-16. In addition, Zibanejad’s goals, assists, and points totals have increased in every season during his career. Over the last two seasons, Zibanejad has tallied 29 points (10 goals, 19 assists) against Metropolitan Division teams.

Zibanejad helped Ottawa reach the playoffs in two seasons during his tenure with the team (2012-13 and 2014-15). In 16 career NHL playoff games, Zibanejad has registered two goals and six assists for eight points. He tied for the team lead with four points (one goal, three assists) in six contests during the 2015 Playoffs.

Internationally, the Stockholm, Sweden, native has represented his country in several tournaments. Zibanejad registered five points (four goals, one assist) and posted a plus-three rating in six games while helping Sweden earn a gold medal at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship. In addition, he tallied the game-winning goal in overtime of the Gold Medal Game against Russia. Zibanejad also recorded eight points (four goals, four assists) and posted a plus-eight rating in six games while helping Sweden earn a silver medal at the 2011 IIHF U18 World Championship.

Zibanejad was selected by Ottawa in the first round, sixth overall, of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Brassard skated in 254 games with the Rangers over parts of four seasons, registering 69 goals and 105 assists for 174 points.

Rangers Press Release.