Player Discussion Mika Zibanejad

[GoAwayPanarin]

He tore it up in the 2nd half of the season while on a vegan diet last year. Ya'll need to stop pointing fingers at issues that don't exist.

And people on here still say muscle weighs you down lol.

I'm not terribly concerned in the long run because he normally trains hard over the summer, but post COVID bubble plus having COVID and then being in Sweden all summer for his summer, that can also explain the 20 lbs lost. I'd expect next season closer to 210 and normal Mika. Still sucks because we really need him now if we are serious about a deep run.

It can 100000%. There is a point of diminishing returns there, especially for a sport that requires endurance AND recovery.

The weight isn't why he's struggling (though I also raised a brow at him dropping to 200, thats basically his draft weight.) He's way to floaty out there and he isn't shooting. Thats it.

 

[LokiDog]

He's definitely not faster losing that weight. He plays weaker and slower. He looks starved.

He changed his game to mimic Panarin. He's gotten away from everything that made him what he is.

200 at 6’2/6’3 is small to me. I know I have different standards because I walk around at 5’10 200, but honestly I don’t look like some thick meathead and I can’t imagine being 4+ inches taller and the same weight. 210 minimum is a solid weight for Mika and the way he used to play, the 215 range was probably the sweet spot. He was never super physical but he was able to use a combination of size and speed to bull his way into possession of 50/50 pucks and through defenders on the rush. He also looks a bit lethargic, probably because he’s playing at a lower weight without anything really in the reserve tank. Over 82 games of physical play and up and down sprinting, a hockey player needs some reserves. If Mika started the season weighing 200 at camp, he’ll end it less than that.

 

[duhmetreE]

200 at 6’2/6’3 is small to me. I know I have different standards because I walk around at 5’10 200, but honestly I don’t look like some thick meathead and I can’t imagine being 4+ inches taller and the same weight. 210 minimum is a solid weight for Mika and the way he used to play, the 215 range was probably the sweet spot. He was never super physical but he was able to use a combination of size and speed to bull his way into possession of 50/50 pucks and through defenders on the rush. He also looks a bit lethargic, probably because he’s playing at a lower weight without anything really in the reserve tank. Over 82 games of physical play and up and down sprinting, a hockey player needs some reserves. If Mika started the season weighing 200 at camp, he’ll end it less than that.

It's true. He's playing like he's malnourished. No energy/weak/slow. That's where the vegan memes come from.

Over a long season, these players shed weight. He even looks like a soft 200lbs. It's like he lost all his muscle

 

[duhmetreE]

He tore it up in the 2nd half of the season while on a vegan diet last year. Ya'll need to stop pointing fingers at issues that don't exist.

? There's a major issue with how he's playing. He's not the player he was. We need old Mika to win, not cherry picking playmaker Mika.

I want the Persian Workhorse back... galloping all over the ice

 

[LokiDog]

It's true. He's playing like he's malnourished. No energy/weak/slow. That's where the vegan memes come from.

Over a long season, these players shed weight. He even looks like a soft 200lbs. It's like he lost all his muscle

It’s a lot of reading into things, but he does look a bit gaunt facially. 200, and especially sub 200 is honestly very thin for a guy who is 6’2/3. He’s far from the only one in the NHL, but if you had great success playing at 220 and 215, that’s a significant drop off. People sometimes mistakenly assume that leaner will lead to faster or more stamina and it’s absolutely not always the case. There is a sweet spot. Ovechkin is a different animal, but he plays at 230+ most years and he’s the same height. He may not be up and down the ice as much as Mika in a two way role, but he’s certainly never been slow and he’s also never injured and never seems fatigued. If Ovie at 230 is a bit overkill (for anyone but the GOAT), Mika at 200 is under …kill? 215-220 is probably the sweet spot for a player who has proven they can retain their speed and play an up and down game at that weight.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

? There's a major issue with how he's playing. He's not the player he was. We need old Mika to win, not cherry picking playmaker Mika.

I want the Persian Workhorse back... galloping all over the ice

I have an issue with how he's playing.

The issue isn't tied to his dietary habits.

 

[duhmetreE]

I have an issue with how he's playing.

The issue isn't tied to his dietary habits.

I think it coincides perfectly with his 'new diet' that started last season.

Whether it's vegan or not is irrelevant. ( even though he's playing like what I'd envision a vegan hockey player to play like... ) He came into camp a lot lighter last year with a new diet straight from Michiletti's mouth last year.

He's doing something different and it's evident in his gameplay. Whatever it is, it sucks.

 

[Harbour Dog]

I love how the vegan thing started as an HF joke, and has slowly morphed into a point that actually needs refuting lol

 

[duhmetreE]

I love how the vegan thing started as an HF joke, and has slowly morphed into a point that actually needs refuting lol

It's not really a major leap though. Good/great Meme's are based on reality/truth

 

[Harbour Dog]

It's not really a major leap though. Good/great Meme's are based on reality/truth

Oh yeah, I'm not saying it's impossible. The evolution of it has just been funnier to me than the meme ever was haha

 

[ArPanet]

I wonder if he's kind of in a cruise control because he wants to make sure he's at his best for the Olympics. I think if they go off with NHL players people may be shocked at how much different he looks. Olympic Gold is the hardest trophy for a hockey player so it means a lot, I think. I also wonder if Kreider is at his best bc he's trying to get named to the US squad.

 

[Chytilmania]

He tore it up in the 2nd half of the season while on a vegan diet last year. Ya'll need to stop pointing fingers at issues that don't exist.



It can 100000%. There is a point of diminishing returns there, especially for a sport that requires endurance AND recovery.

The weight isn't why he's struggling (though I also raised a brow at him dropping to 200, thats basically his draft weight.) He's way to floaty out there and he isn't shooting. Thats it.

Fat weighs you down, Mika was never "too muscular." I'm 5'11 and when I'm between 195-205 I'm at my fastest. When I was 185 I was slower and not as powerful. If I get over 205 and it's from my diet and not training then I get slower. I've put 20+ pounds on kids while increasing their speed and explosiveness.

Right now the evidence is pointing to him losing muscle and explosiveness. I wouldn't chalk it up to floating.

 

[Chytilmania]

It's true. He's playing like he's malnourished. No energy/weak/slow. That's where the vegan memes come from.

Over a long season, these players shed weight. He even looks like a soft 200lbs. It's like he lost all his muscle

If he really is 200 lbs then he's likely going to finish the season closer to 190 than 200. Not good for a playoff run.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Fat weighs you down, Mika was never "too muscular." I'm 5'11 and when I'm between 195-205 I'm at my fastest. When I was 185 I was slower and not as powerful. If I get over 205 and it's from my diet and not training then I get slower. I've put 20+ pounds on kids while increasing their speed and explosiveness.

Right now the evidence is pointing to him losing muscle and explosiveness. I wouldn't chalk it up to floating.

Thats great, but none of those kids have hit their threshold where it becomes counter productive. Everyone has that point. Kreider has played lighter than his high of 230+ the last few seasons for this reason.

On Mika: He's not any slower than he's been and I've seen him seal off and out muscle people this year. He did a great job of this against Montreal and that was just like what, 2 weeks ago? He's not shooting as much as he has and he looks bored/disengaged out there. Has nothing to do with his diet.

Not to mention he went Vegan before last season and paced 40+goals the 2nd half of the season once his game got going (after contracting Covid at camp no less.)

 

[tomobson]

Looks like he's having trouble playing structured hockey. He needs the freedom Strome gets being next to Panarin. This is the problem with our top two centers.

 

[RagFinMet]

Whenever any player in any sport signs a big contract the expectations sometimes get to them and they have a bad first season
Hopefully he'll wake up come stretch time
Eventho tbh with KK starting to drive play and staying on that line zib just needs to play the sniper and get himself into great shooting position and KK will find him and he needs to shoot the puck

 

[The Crypto Guy]

He really needs to start scoring some goals, 4 goals through 22 games this season is embarrassing. He's on pace for about 15 goals on the season. The same guy who scored 127 goals in the last 195 games over the previous 3 seasons.

 

[slim26]

He really needs to start scoring some goals, 4 goals through 22 games this season is embarrassing. He's on pace for about 15 goals on the season. The same guy who scored 127 goals in the last 195 games over the previous 3 seasons.

It would be great if that were the case and he's just gonna be fine - however, after 25 games last season, he had 3G, 6A, 9TP. It seems a lot of Ranger fans in these forums and reddit are fine giving him a 25 game pass for last season as he had covid in pre-season. Now this is 22 games in and same lack of goal scoring again. He also looks lost on top of that, coughing up the puck constantly, fanning on shots, losing the puck. Wondering what the theories are for this year's hall pass for the first 1/4 of the season. Something seems clearly off with him.

Most of the same posters are also the one's that really love to hate on Kreider with their top excuse is him being too streaky -- but I don't see much at all about the sloppy play and unproductive goal scoring from Mika for 20+ game stretches now two seasons in a row.

IMO, I do think Mika will be just fine and figure it out again - just pointing out the hypocrisy of the Rangers web surfing general managers.

 

[Barnaby]

It would be great if that were the case and he's just gonna be fine - however, after 25 games last season, he had 3G, 6A, 9TP. It seems a lot of Ranger fans in these forums and reddit are fine giving him a 25 game pass for last season as he had covid in pre-season. Now this is 22 games in and same lack of goal scoring again. He also looks lost on top of that, coughing up the puck constantly, fanning on shots, losing the puck. Wondering what the theories are for this year's hall pass for the first 1/4 of the season. Something seems clearly off with him.

Most of the same posters are also the one's that really love to hate on Kreider with their top excuse is him being too streaky -- but I don't see much at all about the sloppy play and unproductive goal scoring from Mika for 20+ game stretches now two seasons in a row.

IMO, I do think Mika will be just fine and figure it out again - just pointing out the hypocrisy of the Rangers web surfing general managers.

The difference is that Kreider has been historically inconsistent. Zibanejad has consistently been a 1C and scored goals over the last few seasons. Last seasons slow start was chalked up to CoVid by pretty much everyone. No one has called Zibanejad inconsistent since he’s established himself as a 1C. It’s not hypocrisy, it was based on the results.

If Panarin suddenly put up 4 points in 30 games then it would be out of character, not a result of Kreider conspiracy.

This is just a bizarre take.

 

[Barnaby]

The problem is twofold in my opinion. Mika looks lethargic on the ice and he isn’t playing the same style that he has over the majority of the last few seasons. I don’t know if it’s a lack of his offseason regimen. Maybe he’s playing a safer style since he got paid. Idk the answer. It’s one thing to be snake bit. It’s another to look like a different player. If he’s trying to play Panarin by scoring a lot while avoiding hits then it’s going to be a long contract since that’s not when he’s at his best.

He’s lucky this team is 15-4 and not 4-15 because he has plenty of opportunity to right the ship.

 

[NYRangers0723]

Honestly I don’t even care about the lack of goals I just want to see him more aggressive like he used to be. You can tell he avoids contact probably out of fear of another concussion but by doing that he gives up on a lot of plays in the offensive zone.

 

[duhmetreE]

Thats great, but none of those kids have hit their threshold where it becomes counter productive. Everyone has that point. Kreider has played lighter than his high of 230+ the last few seasons for this reason.

On Mika: He's not any slower than he's been and I've seen him seal off and out muscle people this year. He did a great job of this against Montreal and that was just like what, 2 weeks ago? He's not shooting as much as he has and he looks bored/disengaged out there. Has nothing to do with his diet.

Not to mention he went Vegan before last season and paced 40+goals the 2nd half of the season once his game got going (after contracting Covid at camp no less.)

but he is slower. He's playing slower. He doesn't have the wherewithal to skate and be relentless

The problem is why is he taking so long to get into 'game shape'? The wheels fall so far off the wagon, in the offseason, that he needs 25-30 games to get up to speed? Whatever he changed it's not working.... and he did change something. It was touched on by the media and it's evident in his gameplay.

Just want old Mika back. If this is what we're getting for 9 years, we're in trouble. I'd ask him to waive before Kreider.

 

[LionsHeart]

I think he’s going to benefit greatly from having Kakko on his line (it feels good to say that).

 

[will1066]

Let's just focus on the number of times he whiffs on his wind-ups or the instances when his timing is on the opposite coast of the other players. What's up with that?

That being said, he has been playing better than the disaster who began the season.

 

[slim26]

Let's just focus on the number of times he whiffs on his wind-ups or the instances when his timing is on the opposite coast of the other players. What's up with that?

That being said, he has been playing better than the disaster who began the season.

I actually thought last night was one of his worst games of the year, I feel like I watched him mishandle nearly every nice pass, misfire when he did try to take some shots, and almost gave up a free breakaways to get bailed out by someone (or himself). Thankfully they have been playing damn well as a team, so it hasn't hurt them.