Player Discussion Mika Zibanejad

[HockeyBasedNYC]

When Mika was an unstoppable force it was almost as if he was bent over at the waist with his spine parallel to the ice.

His forward lean was insane. He would consistently break to the net with speed while easily protecting the puck and throw backhanders into the top shelf.

Thats all but gone at this point. For whatever reason his stride has changed and his all out gait isn’t anything what it used to be. He has trouble separating. And because he isnt lower in his stride that’s all it takes to knock him off the puck.

He can still dish it and has very good awareness but I think mental doubt has creeped into his game big time this year and it’s lead to a lot of silly looking lazy passes and giveaways.

His one time shot was always a bomb but would fluctuate between on net and whiffing completely. I always felt like that was a good indicator of his focus but it’s far from the only thing now

 

[ReddestRum]

When Mika was an unstoppable force it was almost as if he was bent over at the waist with his spine parallel to the ice.

His forward lean was insane. He would consistently break to the net with speed while easily protecting the puck and throw backhanders into the top shelf.

Thats all but gone at this point. For whatever reason his stride has changed and his all out gait isn’t anything what it used to be. He has trouble separating. And because he isnt lower in his stride that’s all it takes to knock him off the puck.

He can still dish it and has very good awareness but I think mental doubt has creeped into his game big time this year and it’s lead to a lot of silly looking lazy passes and giveaways.

His one time shot was always a bomb but would fluctuate between on net and whiffing completely. I always felt like that was a good indicator of his focus but it’s far from the only thing now

Years ago in his five goal game, his One Tee was an ace and that lean you're talking about happens for the OT winner.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Didn't he have warning signs in Ottawa that he wasn't always interested or passionate about playing hockey and had a bad lazy work ethic?

 

[mrmovies779]

Didn't he have warning signs in Ottawa that he wasn't always interested or passionate about playing hockey and had a bad lazy work ethic?

No,that's just something you made up

 

[Siddi]

Didn't he have warning signs in Ottawa that he wasn't always interested or passionate about playing hockey and had a bad lazy work ethic?

Stop making shit up.

 

[Captain Lindy]

He got thrown out of a faceoff, but the MSG camera angle didnt show what happened. Mika literally had a look on his face like he shat himself and got helped off the ice and to the locker room. He came back and it was barely mentioned again. I forget what game it was. Buffalo maybe?

Oh, that's right!! I did hear about that. Thanks!

 

[Captain Lindy]

Listen, I hope the guy isn’t personally miserable and struggling in some dark place. I know how that can be. But he married a beautiful former pro athlete from his home country, they have a child, he makes insane money and he has had a stable career, moved only once, with more success - both individual and team - than many athletes (in any sport) ever get to enjoy. Does that matter? Apparently not, and I get it… depression or personal issues that cause depression are unique and unpredictable and can happen to anyone, so I get it. But it’s tough to stomach. God’s honest truth is that if he’s really struggling mentally - whether it’s self doubt and performance anxiety, or it’s some kind of personal private troubles - he should enter the player’s assistance program and get help. Keep KK at 3C when Chytil is healthy and let Fil take Z’s spot. Watching his nightly performance at this stage is bad enough, but seeing this sad puppy face coast around the ice and then mumble platitudes about how “we just have to be better” to the press is infuriating.

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I've been saying he's looking sad for three years now.

Not showing up at optional practices when your game is suffering is not a good sign. It shows he doesn't care that he sucks lately and doesn't want to be on the ice.

 

[SA16]

I've been saying he's looking sad for three years now.

Not showing up at optional practices when your game is suffering is not a good sign. It shows he doesn't care that he sucks lately and doesn't want to be on the ice.

It's an optional practice. They're on the ice for a brief period of time and barely do anything. Many, many players throughout the league don't show up for optional practices. How do you know he's not in the gym, reviewing video with coaches, or doing other things instead?

 

[ReddestRum]

Didn't he have warning signs in Ottawa that he wasn't always interested or passionate about playing hockey and had a bad lazy work ethic?

LOL.

 

[RangersFan1994]

NHL Ottawa Senators player Mika Zibanejad signs with Recording Connection!

Mika Zibanejad, a Swedish-born professional hockey player on the roster for the Ottawa Senators, recently joined Recording Connection's line-up! Turns out

recordingconnection.com

Ottawa Senators, Mika Z. Pursues Dream of Making Music

Mika Zibanejad, born April 18, 1993 is a Swedish professional hockey player. Selected sixth overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, he currently plays for Canada’s Ottawa Senators. His career highlight so far is scoring the winning goal for Sweden in the 2012 World Junior hockey championship game...

www.webwire.com

https://www.sensnationhockey.com/post/dj-zbad-or-how-i-learned-to-stop-worrying-and-love-how-the-senators-won-the-mika-zibanejad-trade

 

[mandiblesofdoom]

When Mika was an unstoppable force it was almost as if he was bent over at the waist with his spine parallel to the ice.

His forward lean was insane. He would consistently break to the net with speed while easily protecting the puck and throw backhanders into the top shelf.

Yeah, this is a good point. My recollection of good Mika is him buzzing all over with that pronounced forward lean. Maybe something is going with his back that prevents him from doing this now.

 

[mandiblesofdoom]

Years ago in his five goal game, his One Tee was an ace and that lean you're talking about happens for the OT winner.

Thanks for this video. It's good to remember what he was capable of.

 

[Levitate]

I don't think his side hobbies are the issue. Pretty much every player has side hobbies that they spend significant time on.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Years ago in his five goal game, his One Tee was an ace and that lean you're talking about happens for the OT winner.

depressing to watch this