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Player Discussion Mika Zibanejad

offdacrossbar

offdacrossbar

misfit fanboy
Jun 25, 2006
16,141
3,823
da cuse
The bottom line with him is he's no longer able to play the game he played. A checking center man who could use his lethal shot on the PP1 and his ability to create in time and space.

Now he's a center man who's easy to check, who's lethal to our PP and our GAA and whos ice time is spent in outer space.
 
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markymarc1215

Registered User
Jan 8, 2023
478
469
Southwest Florida
Shesterkybomb said:
If he is in fact this sensitive then Drury needs his head examined for signing him to that deal and not trading him
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Drury was current-state Mika when Drury played here. A once 1st-2nd line center for about 5 years that stopped.trying or caring once he got paid by the Rangers. This team is essentially made up in his image based on his NYR tenure.
 
Guyute

Guyute

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Feb 17, 2013
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markymarc1215 said:
Drury was current-state Mika when Drury played here. A once 1st-2nd line center for about 5 years that stopped.trying or caring once he got paid by the Rangers. This team is essentially made up in his image based on his NYR tenure.
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Drury was never even close to a 1C in his lifetime. A 2C in his prime at best. Also, Drury definitely cared while he was here. He was over the hill and injured which is a big difference. I can’t say I’m the biggest Drury fan, but some are these hot takes are asinine.
 
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markymarc1215

Registered User
Jan 8, 2023
478
469
Southwest Florida
Guyute said:
Drury was never even close to a 1C in his lifetime. A 2C in his prime at best. Also, Drury definitely cared while he was here. He was over the hill and injured which is a big difference. I can’t say I’m the biggest Drury fan, but some are these hot takes are asinine.
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We'll respectfully agree to disagree. Drury was on the 1st line in Calgary and either split 1C duties with Briere in Buffalo or played on his wing. In NY he split 1C duties with Gomez and later became a 3rd liner due to being outperformed by Erik Christensen and the emergence of Dubinsky.

In 21 games in the playoffs as a Rangers he scored 4 goals and 4 assists. He was never the one blocking a shot, taking or delivering a hit, or firing up his team. His Christmases were never impacted by the teams poor play :).

The guy came here to be closer to home and cash out at the end of his career, period. It wasn't until he retired before 11-12 that this team began it's ascend as a contender with heart aka the Black and Blue Rangers.
 
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McRanger92

McRanger92

Registered User
Jun 7, 2017
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markymarc1215 said:
We'll respectfully agree to disagree. Drury was on the 1st line in Calgary and either split 1C duties with Briere in Buffalo or played on his wing. In NY he split 1C duties with Gomez and later became a 3rd liner due to being outperformed by Erik Christensen and the emergence of Dubinsky.

In 21 games in the playoffs as a Rangers he scored 4 goals and 4 assists. He was never the one blocking a shot, taking or delivering a hit, or firing up his team. His Christmases were never impacted by the teams poor play :).

The guy came here to be closer to home and cash out at the end of his career, period. It wasn't until he retired before 11-12 that this team began it's ascend as a contender with heart aka the Black and Blue Rangers.
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Drury was a very good defensive player when he was here, and he absolutely would lay out to block shots and was a great penalty killer. His offense was starting to go but he was intended to be the twp way 2C behind Gomez. He wasn't even coming here to be captain. Jagr was the captain for multiple years with Drury until Sather decided like an idiot to pinch pennies and drive him to the KHL. He got put in a tough spot there for sure. He was still a much better captain than Trouba. Callahan, who has been our best captain post millennium, learned a lot from playing with Drury.

My biggest issue that i'll always kill him for is forcing the Rangers to buy him out instead of just retiring. Was always surprised Slats and Gorton gave him a job after that.
 
Peltz

Peltz

Registered User
Oct 4, 2019
3,882
5,535
RangersFan1994 said:
Fans should just boo Mika everytime he is on the ice and or touches the puck. Get it done
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Nah… this isn’t the way. I can’t boo someone who may be going through some issues. It’s not right.

I can root for him while still being critical of his performance.

As much as a trade may be necessary, as much as we may be at the point of no return, what I truly want is for him and this team to succeed.

I’ll always root for the players, even if the season and Mika’s career is ultimately going down the tubes.
 
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Barnaby

Barnaby

Registered User
Jul 2, 2003
8,856
3,695
Port Jefferson, NY
Shame it’s going down this way when he’s clearly been the best center the team has had since 11 or 99. I’ve thought a number of times that those mid 2010’s might have been able to pull it off with a true top center. Stepan and Brassard were solid, but they were not in 93’s category. It wouldn’t be soon, but have to wonder if he eventually goes the LTIR route.

I did think a number of times over the years that hockey seems like it might be pretty far down on his list of interests. If that’s true, might be tough to keep your head in it if you’ve already gotten the bag.
 
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94leetch

94leetch

Registered User
Oct 29, 2022
387
471
The Mika defenders here, you're loyal, I'll give you that.
If it's a physical or mental malady that's causing him to play the way he is it ABSOLUTELY makes him eligible for either IR or the leagues take a break and get your shit together policy.
Do one.
Please.
 
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McRanger92

McRanger92

Registered User
Jun 7, 2017
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Rangers organization desperately needs more guys who want the puck on their stick in the big spot, but instead we have Meeka and Cryder. sad.
 
Filip Chytil

Filip Chytil

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Mar 3, 2014
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alkurtz

Registered User
Nov 26, 2006
1,485
1,197
Charlotte, NC
If teams knew how to measure the aging process scientifically, they could save a ton of money. But they don't. How do we differentiate between a Crosby, still effective well into his thirties, and a Zibanejad, a ghost of himself at 31? You can't. It's not effort or dedication. It's science. In my 60+ years as a hockey fan, I must admit this has been about the most abrupt falloff I have seen. Not unprecedented but as bad as I've seen. But there were signs, even last year. I'm sure the Rangers have put him through all sorts of medical tests and unless they are keeping something serious hidden from us, what we have is simply a player aging prematurely. Studying the aging process and what is called "life extension" is an emerging field in scientific research. You can bet the Ranger medical staff is well-versed in the research. At some point, this is going to have to be addressed. He is hurting the team. This will get worse. But I do feel for the guy, who, at age 31, can't do what he once did. It's not like he is in a "normal" profession where 31 is young. It's a sorry state and a major albatross around this team's proverbial neck.
 
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