Player Discussion Mika Zibanejad: Part II

[SnowblindNYR]

Are you sure we don’t need to find a better to push him down to 2C where he’s more suitable?

On the main boards and unfortunately here the definition of a 1st line center is someone they heard of.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

How strong is that 2011 draft looking?

That's a pretty damn impressive top 10, lots of regulars coming out of the first two rounds, a high number of players reaching the NHL through the third round, and some impressive names through the 7th.

I mean seriously, it doesn't come out when people talk about some of the better drafts, but just take a look at these results:

2011 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com

I didn't realize we had the #5 and #6 pick from that draft.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

BTW, funny that Ryan Strome went BEFORE Mika.

 

[Ghost of jas]

BTW, funny that Ryan Strome went BEFORE Mika.

Not with Garth Snow as GM.

 

[Good Intentions]

As I just alluded to in the 93 goal poll thread, he has no chance at 50 - but 44 would be phenomenal.

Related note: The entertainment tonight smut source called ‘espn’ does not even acknowledge last night’s feat as a home page top news story.

 

[Blue Blooded]

BTW, funny that Ryan Strome went BEFORE Mika.

Zibanejad was a high risk pick and Ottawa even reached a little IIRC. He had great tools but didn't even score PPG in SuperElit and only had 11 P in 33 GP in the SHL in his draft season. He scored at about the same rate as Lias' draft season in his D+1 year and Lias had 61 P in 38 GP in SuperElit in his D-1 season.

Strome OTOH was one of those guys piling up a million points in the CHL that are hard to predict if they become stars in the NHL due to a little too low quality of competition, but they are safe bets to become productive players.

 

[Desdichado93]

I see Mika's 5 goal game as a fitting time to change my number from 30 to 93.
I don't NHL that closely nowadays but obviously 5 goals in one game...... just wow.

 

[IronBloodedLion]

Elite 2nd Line Center.

 

[Algernop Kreider]

All true. The 2014 was a bit transformative because it was so damn deep. But while Nash and St. Louis were once elite players, they were past it by the time they got here.

It is really exciting to see what this team can do moving forward with Zibanejad and Panarin in their primes. With Kakko coming into his own. With a very talented blue line and goaltending situation.

Almost ironically, the missing piece of this team is the lunch-pail attitude depth that defined those teams of the past.

Nash was 3rd in the NHL in goal scoring while he was here.

 

[leetch99]

What’s extra crazy is he could have had 7 tonight.

LOL...I was going to say 8 . Couple of breaks...easily enough . Was impressive as it was especially the slapper that went off the goalie stick shaft . There was just enough room for a puck in that spot .

 

[LeetchisGod]

All true. The 2014 was a bit transformative because it was so damn deep. But while Nash and St. Louis were once elite players, they were past it by the time they got here.

It is really exciting to see what this team can do moving forward with Zibanejad and Panarin in their primes. With Kakko coming into his own. With a very talented blue line and goaltending situation.

Almost ironically, the missing piece of this team is the lunch-pail attitude depth that defined those teams of the past.

The bottom six and LD needs an overhaul before we can truly contend.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Nash was 3rd in the NHL in goal scoring while he was here.

And scored 14 goals in 73 playoff games as a Ranger

Can’t just gloss over that

I would be shocked if Zibanejad and Panarin ‘s production disappeared as hard as Nash’s did in the playoffs

 

[Rangerfan4life90]

The bottom six and LD needs an overhaul before we can truly contend.

Thankfully, the bottom 6 shouldn't be too hard to find.

It's finding that top LD that might be more the challenge.

 

[duhmetreE]

Zibanejad was by far our best player in the playoffs.... 3 years ago.. That's depressing.

 

[Rangerfan4life90]

And scored 14 goals in 73 playoff games as a Ranger

Can’t just gloss over that

I would be shocked if Zibanejad and Panarin ‘s production disappeared as hard as Nash’s did in the playoffs

We will see. Playoff games do tend to tightened up defensively.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Zibanejad was by far our best player in the playoffs.... 3 years ago.. That's depressing.

And that was his first year here, when he was still figuring himself out

I really want this team to make it so him and Panarin can have a chance to go on a run. I think those two can will us deep if we get hot.

 

[romba]

Give him the f***ing C already!!! He is the Captain of this team.

wait, we don't want to improve morale too much now and encourage winning, do we....?

 

[romba]

The “Around the NHL” thread on the Sens board is a hell of a read tonight.

The official Help-Me-Get-Through-Work reading order:

First one should read the main boards GDT for an overall foreshadowing of the flavors to come. Then one should move on to the Sens Around the NHL as delicious main course. Then the Islanders Around the NHL for some extra spice, and finally, our own GDT/PGT to finish off the work day.

Optional Reading: Flyers PGT from last night

 

[romba]

We will see. Playoff games do tend to tightened up defensively.

Nash on the Rangers was never close to what Panarin and Zbad are now. Even if they dry up a bit in the playoffs they'd outscore Nash by a huge margin, I have no doubt.

Honestly, based on the excuses many gave for Nash doing shit in the PO, is it even possible for a defensively sound forward to put up points in the POs?

 

[Edge]

I didn't realize we had the #5 and #6 pick from that draft.

Six players from the first round of that draft have played for the Rangers organization in some capacity, seven if you include the tryout we gave Morrow.

Plus another three from the second round, and two from the third.

In total, 12 of top 77 picks have either played a game for the Rangers, played in our preseason, or played for us in Hartford.

 

[JCProdigy]

Elite 2nd Line Center.

.....or A Super Elite 3rd Line Center.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

.....or A Super Elite 3rd Line Center.

generational 4th line C

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Nash was 3rd in the NHL in goal scoring while he was here.

I'm not quite sure what happened to the rest of the NHL over that time, but Nash didn't exactly have dominating #'s with the Rangers. He was excellent in the first half of 2014-2015 and that was about it. His performances in the playoffs were largely embarrassing.

 

[IronBloodedLion]

I'm not quite sure what happened to the rest of the NHL over that time, but Nash didn't exactly have dominating #'s with the Rangers. He was excellent in the first half of 2014-2015 and that was about it. His performances in the playoffs were largely embarrassing.

Imagine if he just scored a coupe of goals in 2014 and 2015. Might’ve gotten us a cup.

 

[Edge]

That collision with Bergeron may have cost us some history this season.

Zibanejad's current pace would have him breaking Jagr's single season goal scoring record.

A healthy Zibanejad also might've given us out first season with two players scoring more than 100 points in 28 years. It would've marked only the third time in franchise history.