Proposal: NYR-Habs

[HabsTown]

Mika Zibanejad (33% retained, 5.7M cap hit)


2nd 2025
Filip Mesar

Why the Rangers do it:

• Already acquired Miller as a 1C (+ Trocheck as 2C now)
• Heavy contract for Rangers in his current role
• Free 5.7M on their cap (will retain 3M). Can weaponize this for UFA targets as NY has no challenge to attract players
• Recoup some assets for a barebone prospect pool

Why Habs do it

• Get a 31yo 2C locked at 5.7M (fits Habs salary structure) until Michael Hage is ready (if he ever is)
• Add Veteran to lineup
• He has played in Canada, so he might be open to drop his NMC.
• Keep momentum for the playoffs race. Move for now and mid term future.

Is it an interesting foundation for a deal?

Click to read more...

 

[Junohockeyfan]

God no. Wouldn't take Mika for free if he was 50% retained. He's fallen off a cliff.

Thankfully Hughes is not an idiot and Zib has a NMC!

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

 

[GAGLine]

We aren't retaining for 5 years. Mika has actually been playing better and producing since we got Miller. You'll need to offer more and remove the retainage if you want him.

 

[Mrfenn92]

Zibs says no

 

[Empoleon8771]

Hasn't Zibanejad been playing really well since being moved to RW with Miller? Not sure why the Rangers are retaining and selling him for futures right now.

 

[n8]

God no. Wouldn't take Mika for free if he was 50% retained. He's fallen off a cliff.

Thankfully Hughes is not an idiot and Zib has a NMC!

Mika has 15 points in the last 11 games. That's a cool cliff he fell off of. He's been productive since JT Miller joined. NMC. If the Rangers are able to move on, they do so without any cap retention. The cap flexibility is a big reason to consider something like this.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

We are not helping the Rangers to get out of a terrible contract again, still paying off my therapist for the Gomez debacle

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Zibs contract will continue to age poorly. One of the worst contracts in the league. Just behind Shesterkin.

Thankfully Bob Gainey is no longer a Habs GM.

 

[MisterT]

Pretty sure it ages better than Josh Anderson’s contract.

 

[Coffee]

We aren't retaining for 5 years. Mika has actually been playing better and producing since we got Miller. You'll need to offer more and remove the retainage if you want him.

Lol agreed but it was just funny the way you said it.

"We're not retaining 5 f***ing years, dude"

 

[FIRE DRURY]

Zibs says no

This.

Lock it up. Doesn’t matter which team says yes or no. The player with the full NMC isn’t waiving to go play in Montreal.

I’ll add this — since JTM joined the Rangers, Zibanejad has actually thrown some hits. Nevermind the 111 point pace he’s on. He’s playing physical. It’s the weirdest f***ing thing ever.

 

[FoxysExpensiveNYDigs]

Mika has actually been playing really well and producing with JT and Cuylle. I don't think the Rangers are in any rush to move him, especially if his perceived value is that low. Highly doubtful he waives for Canada anyway.

 

[Steve Shutt]

4 more years at 5.7M cap hit for a legit 2C with the cap going up.
Price seems very reasonable with Mesar and a 2nd (not sure if either asset with turn into a NHL player)

All depends on how our scouts view Mika Zibanejad and how he ages.
Definitely worthy of consideration IMO

 

[Gaud]

We are not helping the Rangers to get out of a terrible contract again, still paying off my therapist for the Gomez debacle

Lol is your answer seriously "Go Mez with another team!" ?

 

[Voight]

NMC aside, I dont think anybody is taking on that contract without being paid to by the Rangers.

Mika Zibanejad Buyout - NHL Contract Buyout, Salary cap impact | Puckpedia

Mika Zibanejad buyout calculations. Find out the total cap impact of buying out a player any year of their current contract, including a detailed explanation of the buyout cap hit math involved.

www.puckpedia.com

Contracts essentially buyout proof anyways.

 

[Gaud]

Pretty sure it ages better than Josh Anderson’s contract.

I think mtl media is raising his value though - the guy isnt worth his contract, but habs fans/media and the coach stopped expecting him to succeed in a top 6. Now the guy is on the 3rd line (which IMO may be the 4th) on mostly D missions and suddenly "he reinvented himself" and is useful to the team.

Sure, he's more useful now.. but no one is talking that this role is not worth the money he is paid. Yet, the narrative is that he would help a team in the series and has positive value now.

 

[noncents]

2C under 6mm for a 2nd round pick and flaming trash? standard issue habs fan proposal?

add guhle to the return and it actually gets interesting. zib would never waive to play for montreal though. at this point in his career he wants to win not babysit