will1066
Registered User
- Oct 12, 2008
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Player Discussion Mika Zibanejad
- Thread starter Fugazy
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CenturionOne
Registered User
Really?! Tell me what you posts you appreciate and I'll like them for you :-D
Rempe73
RIP King of Pop
This is true. He can look like the best player in the world when he’s really on. And make it look effortless.
Cag29
94! I’m ready for more! LGR!
- Jul 18, 2018
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RangersFan
Registered User
He is deliberating less and relying on his instincts more. Just being decisive and doing things quicker has helped his game tremendously. His team mates should take note and follow his example, especially the kids.
DanielBrassard
It's all so tiresome
He looks really good, The best he's looked since 2019-2020
McRanger92
Registered User
- Jun 7, 2017
- 11,702
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Ive said it a few times in this thread but hes playing his best all around game as a Ranger. Obviously the goal is nice and the pass was all world, but its so impressive seeing him back check and make defensive plays, especially in a matchup with the reigning Selke winner
KevSkillz4
Registered User
- Apr 11, 2016
- 8,153
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Amazing trade by Jeff Gorton, I really hope he can make trade like that with Montreal Canadiens (he work with Hughes). Zibanejad, Strome, Trouba, Fox... all great acquisition by Gorton.
Meet our newest edition little Mika!
36 points in his last 26 games
NYRFANMANI
Department of Rempe Safety Management
Blais to Win
Registered User
- Dec 16, 2009
- 1,070
- 427
Considering he's got 10 in his last 15 and only needs 12 in the remaining 35 games I'd say so. I think he gets to 35 without breaking too much of a sweat
Chimpradamus
Registered User
Can we conclude we cannot throw rotten fruit against Zibanejad until he has entered his spring mode? He is noticably better when he gets more sun in his face, every time. Sure, he had a weak start point wise, but if I feel the pain losing Buchnevich, Mika certainly felt it. Now he has some weak copy of Buch on his right, not being able to do anything Buch could do to help Mika.
And even when he sulked and was a weaker version, he still battled hard and he fed Kreider big time.
I'm still pissed we lost Buch for THAT weak salary. What a steal for St Louis. But here he is, the most prominent player when it gets to crunch time, except for Shestyerkin and Fox of course, heh. I'm worried Panarin's shoulder got bummed up after caveman Wilson slammed him into the ice.
NYR has the key players needed to win the Cup, now they just need better depth. Shesty, Fox, Zibanejad and Panarin should be enough, they're all strong contributors. Unfortunately the forward depth isn't strong enough this time.
And even when he sulked and was a weaker version, he still battled hard and he fed Kreider big time.
I'm still pissed we lost Buch for THAT weak salary. What a steal for St Louis. But here he is, the most prominent player when it gets to crunch time, except for Shestyerkin and Fox of course, heh. I'm worried Panarin's shoulder got bummed up after caveman Wilson slammed him into the ice.
NYR has the key players needed to win the Cup, now they just need better depth. Shesty, Fox, Zibanejad and Panarin should be enough, they're all strong contributors. Unfortunately the forward depth isn't strong enough this time.
Do you guys think his production would have been better if Gallant played him at the current spot on the PP from the start?
Chimpradamus
Registered User
Probably, it should've at least shortened his slow start by quite a bit. He's gold with his one timer in that left spot. Panarin can still produce on the off wing with his passing, even though he scores less as a result. Kind of a bummer since Panarin has a really good one timer as well, but oh well, this is the setup that gets most out of the unit. Panarin/ Fox/ Zibanejad/ Kreider/ + extra (not sold on Strome) is a great PP unit, which has really shown this season. After the Lundqvist era it feels so weird to see a strong power play.
That's why this team is stronger than anything NYR ever fielded in the Lundqvist era, since they couldn't score 5 on 5 and the PP always sucked (bottom 5 in the league every year basically). Now with Shestyerkin seemlessly taking over from Lundqvist while also having a strong PP is already an improvement. Unfortunately alot of other teams have gotten alot stronger too.
Anyhow, Mika is back to PPG pace and is in his traditional spring form. He's the kind of guy that needs some sun in his face and get into the zone by playing alot of hockey. His two-way game is there as well. It's looking really good.
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bumping because for as frustrating as Strome and Panarin have been this season, Mika has really had a strong year worthy of that extension. He's scoring a ton but he's also been pushing play in the right direction almost all season long on a team that really sucks at doing that.
Chimpradamus
Registered User
I seem to have really pissed off the mods in the general forum this time, because I can't even remember how long it has been since I could just simply upvote posts. Maybe it's for eternity *spooky noises and cackling bones*. Anyhow, two-way ability matters. Panarin has part of it, he's an expert in the offensive zone to steal pucks niftly. In the other zones, not as strong. No hard feelings about that because he's really good at delivering results, but. But.
200 ft over the ice, you want Zibanejad any day of the week, because he's much more reliable in all three zones to push for momentum. Even when he struggled earlier he was still out there pressuring for momentum at his basic standard. Easily more than as many call it vaguely; "the pond line", "the circus line", etc. So, when Strome is gone maybe Panarin can't play 5 on 5 pond hockey anymore, so we have two obvious outcomes:
1) Either Panarin will evolve as a player or 2) he can't handle it. I have little doubt that he's not talented, smart and strong willed enough to not figure it out. Otherwise we have to keep a clown line, maybe it can work. I doubt it though, especially in the playoffs if I'm honest.
The thing unique with Mika as a player is no, it's not he's a prototype of a franchise two-way center, it's that he also has a special scoring talent that is quite convincing to witness when he explodes. And he loves pressure, when it really matters. I just realized at this pace that I'm starting to sound like a gay novel. Anyhow, that's the damn adjectives I chose in a row and I stand by it. Zibanejad has been involved in great part in the outcome of many big games in his career, especially if you add his international career.
As a player, he's dominant at basically everything with minor flaws. And when it comes to becoming red hot in a small amount of games, He's easily one of the best in the game. His records in small scoring spurts are kind of ridiculous (Flyers, lol), when he's in the relaxed zone. If he gets an early goal and relaxes his shoulders just a bit, he might take off like nobody else. And the next three games. Or 10.
As I've previously mentioned, I secretly think of an alternative future where NYR kept Zuccarello and Buchnevich and didn't get Panarin. The team would've definitely been stronger IMO. Sure, Zuke doesn't have Panarin's great special talent, but he's much more reliable as a 200 ft winger and still brings it. Shestyerkin, remember? We can't allow goals. And Zuke's passing was damn good. His intensity was awesome.
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Machinehead
HFNYR MVP
- Jan 18, 2012
- 34,576
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It's a far cry from where he started.
I feel like it should be mandatory to work out with Chris Kreider, for all of the team, in the off season.
I feel like it should be mandatory to work out with Chris Kreider, for all of the team, in the off season.
Anthony5967
Registered User
That's what I think. Get Kakko and Lafreniere in the gym with him, Chytil, Miller, all of the youngins. Carolina can push play and never let up because they're conditioned so well it's insane. Or tell Jimmy Dolan to pay Jagr to take all of them for a month.
- Jan 18, 2012
- 34,576
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it's easier when your Head Coach/leader is lapping you in the gym.
IMO it was Mika's issue to start the year and it's Panarin's issue now. The org has been too soft on its players.
Anthony5967
Registered User
KirkAlbuquerque
#WeNeverGetAGoodCoach
yeah, its like everyone but Kreids hung out with Brendan Smith over the summer
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