Player Discussion Mika Zibanejad

[EdJovanovski]

I think the “Mika starts slow” narrative is a little misleading.

He started slow last year. But prior to that, I seem to remember him usually being pretty great to start every season. I also found he was much more consistent when we first acquired him, only to have his game derailed by injuries every year.

Yea I remember a couple years ago he started the season with something like 7pts in his first 2 games and led the league for a bit

 

[duhmetreE]

I remember when Zibs was meat and potatoes.... a relentless workhorse....

now he's just potatoes.

 

[LokiDog]

Found Mika’s Christmas sweater:

 

[will1066]

His problem is floating without the puck, like Panarin was until recently. Just floating instead of engaging. Not thinking fast enough at game speed.

 

[LokiDog]

His problem is floating without the puck, like Panarin as until recently. Just floating instead of engaging. Not thinking fast enough at game speed.

You’re unfamiliar with Mika’s philosophy?

 

[mrhockey193195]

I think Mika is missing Buch more than EdJovo. He'll figure it out. He still has his chemistry with Kreider, but he needs someone on that line who can pass the puck. Kreider is more of a shooter.

100% this.

 

[Chaels Arms]

 

[NYRangers0723]

I think the concussions have had a big impact. You see he shies away from contact a lot. I like Mika a lot and don’t think he is lazy at all but I think he is scared that another concussion might be it for him

 

[duhmetreE]

I think the concussions have had a big impact. You see he shies away from contact a lot. I like Mika a lot and don’t think he is lazy at all but I think he is scared that another concussion might be it for him

I think the same thing that plagued Panarin and Chytil, still plagues Mika. He needs to skate and attack. Be relentless.

But the concussions definitely dont help

 

[AWall THE CLAW]

Mika went nuts those first two games in 2019-20 but then went really quiet for about 15 games. This year he's been underwhelming early but even then he's still getting his points. He's a smart player and a really good player. He'll figure it out. I was hoping Kakko would get a look to his right until he found his way on the bread and butter line. Kravtsov would probably look good on Zibby's RW. Oh despair.

 

[Blais to Win]

Hasn’t he scored 40 and had great seasons after his last concussion? It’s been a while. Don’t get why it would be on his mind more now than a year or two ago.

 

[McRanger92]

Mika looks unimpressive now but I’m still very confident he’s going to go on a crazy goal scoring streak at some point and finish with 35+

 

[Peltz]

It's hard to complain when the team is winning and he's contributing to those wins.

 

[KevinFinnerty]

30 goal season is what I’m hoping for here

 

[NYRFANMANI]

When do we play the Flyers again?

 

[Chytilmania]

I will repeat again, this was forewarned in the offseason when he stayed home in Sweden all offseason and focused on his wedding. No idea how he was working out compared to his normal training the past 4-5 years.

Between that and vegan he probably lost a bit of size and strength.

 

[Rempe73]

Hasn’t he scored 40 and had great seasons after his last concussion? It’s been a while. Don’t get why it would be on his mind more now than a year or two ago.

He got his money and is thinking of starting a family soon I think

 

[Blais to Win]

Mika looks unimpressive now but I’m still very confident he’s going to go on a crazy goal scoring streak at some point and finish with 35+

Absolutely.

 

[Blais to Win]

93's goal scoring through November (or first two months of season for 20-21):

20-21: 19GP 2G
19-20: 12GP 6G
18-19: 26GP 8G
17-18: 24GP 11G

Last time he had a strong start was clearly 17-18, when he finished with 27 goals.

 

[ArPanet]

wonder if the Olympics is distracting him

 

[RosensRug]

I will repeat again, this was forewarned in the offseason when he stayed home in Sweden all offseason and focused on his wedding. No idea how he was working out compared to his normal training the past 4-5 years.

Between that and vegan he probably lost a bit of size and strength.

He's a vegan?

 

[duhmetreE]

I will repeat again, this was forewarned in the offseason when he stayed home in Sweden all offseason and focused on his wedding. No idea how he was working out compared to his normal training the past 4-5 years.

Between that and vegan he probably lost a bit of size and strength.

It's going to take him 25-30 games to get into shape again. That's unacceptable if that's the issue. $68M should have a required off-season regiment

 

[Lays]

I think Mika is missing Buch more than EdJovo. He'll figure it out. He still has his chemistry with Kreider, but he needs someone on that line who can pass the puck. Kreider is more of a shooter.

Don’t think it has to do with Buch at all. In 2019-2020 Mika put up 75 points and 41 goals in 57 games.

Buch? Only had 5 more points total than Mika had goals (46 points in 68 games)

Mika’s main issue is settling in and being too comfortable. He just got married and just got a 8.5 x 8 year contract extension. He isn’t skating as hard and seems to play as if he’s just waiting for a powerplay. He makes the right plays, no bad turnovers like Panarin had at the start of the season, and has also been strong defensively, but isn’t trying as hard to create chances. He’s going back to playing like he was before the huge breakout now that he’s comfortable and is seen as a high end player by the team and league wide.

He used to be our hardest worker, someone that would create every single shift, but now looks more like 2015-2017 Mika despite his point totals

 

[GAGLine]

Don’t think it has to do with Buch at all. In 2019-2020 Mika put up 75 points and 41 goals in 57 games.

Buch? Only had 5 more points total than Mika had goals (46 points in 68 games)

Mika’s main issue is settling in and being too comfortable. He just got married and just got a 8.5 x 8 year contract extension. He isn’t skating as hard and seems to play as if he’s just waiting for a powerplay. He makes the right plays, no bad turnovers like Panarin had at the start of the season, and has also been strong defensively, but isn’t trying as hard to create chances. He’s going back to playing like he was before the huge breakout now that he’s comfortable and is seen as a high end player by the team and league wide.

He used to be our hardest worker, someone that would create every single shift, but now looks more like 2015-2017 Mika despite his point totals

15 of Mika's goals and 12 of his assists came on the PP. Buch didn't play on PP1.

At even strength, Mika had 23 goals and 20 assists. Buchnevich had 12 goals and 25 assists. Only a difference of 6 points total.

Last year, Mika had 12 goals and 20 assists at even strength. Buch had 16 and 20, and carried that line in the early part of the year. They both had 4 points on the PK, where they tended to play together as well.

Mika's struggles this year have mostly been at 5 on 5. There's no passer on that line. Buch could score, but he was more of a playmaker than either Kreider or Zibs. None of the players we've put in that spot have been able to fill that role.

 

[leetch99]

His problem is floating without the puck, like Panarin was until recently. Just floating instead of engaging. Not thinking fast enough at game speed.

That is widely known as Potato Fog .