Confirmed with Link: Zib Extension; 8 years, $8.5M per

[rangers1314]

Square business. Well done.

 

[Richard Banger]

I hope I’m wrong on this, but I don’t think Zibanejad is going to age gracefully as a player and remain productive into his mid-thirties. I think his production falls off a cliff halfway through this contract.

This should at least put Eichel to NYR to bed. But it doesn’t seem like Drury was able to get a discount on term or AAV.

I love when people say this because they are basing their predictions off of literally nothing. Crosby has had more concussion issues and is in less shape than Zib and is still producing at a good level. Modern Technology and Science has proven in other sports already that it can push the limit on humans. You’ll see more and more players continue to play at a high level well into their 30s

 

[Edge]

Again, 8 years is a lifetime in sports...who knows what the world things will look like by then. You deal with it when it comes up

I will repeat what I’ve said for years and what Larry followed up with:

Teams don’t fixate on salary 6 years down the line. A segment of fans do.

As for the deal itself, solid give and take by both sides. Rangers traded term for average, Zibanejad acquired security to stay in a place he has always supposedly loved.

It’s a gamble. But a manageable one.

 

[FireGerardGallant]

Yea I too agree that a fair AAV for Mika would be the same as Chris Kreider, Anders Lee, and James Van Riemsdyk

Those guys besides Lee also Overpaid lmao

 

[rangers1314]

Any word on clauses?

 

[Fitzy]

I think Zibanejad may still be knocking in some goals when he's 34-35 if he stays healthy.

He may no longer be a 1C, but I could see him still as a middle 6 NHL player into his mid 30s.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Captain Mika!

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Fine

 

[NYSPORTS]

I love when people say this because they are basing their predictions off of literally nothing. Crosby has had more concussion issues and is in less shape than Zib and is still producing at a good level. Modern Technology and Science has proven in other sports already that it can push the limit on humans. You’ll see more and more players continue to play at a high level well into their 30s

My gosh lol, bash predictions based on nothing and then follow up with vague and speculative modern day technology and science.

 

[RGY]

Did the Terms come out yet?

Does he get the C with this?

Now the team goes to war and at the deadline it adds Larkin/Hertl/??? for a deep playoff run

 

[MysticLeviathan]

this isn’t a terrible comtract. The term is too long, but the cap could get a huge boost in a few years.

 

[Fitzy]

Those guys besides Lee also Overpaid lmao

If everyone is overpaid, no one is. The contracts are big nowadays. Look at what Ovechkin just got and he's about to turn 37.

 

[Levitate]

I hope I’m wrong on this, but I don’t think Zibanejad is going to age gracefully as a player and remain productive into his mid-thirties. I think his production falls off a cliff halfway through this contract.

This should at least put Eichel to NYR to bed. But it doesn’t seem like Drury was able to get a discount on term or AAV.

The vast vast majority of players fall off a cliff in their mid 30's

Zibanejad is a good enough shooter that he might be productive as a goal scorer to some extent

I think paying him as a 1C but not elite 1C is about right. Fact is he has been an incredible goal scorer lately and huge offensive threat that the team needs as a 1C

 

[AWall THE CLAW]

That's a fine cap hit for a star center like him. The Rangers are betting on Mika being one of those mainstays that performs well into his 30s because of familiarity/comfort in his role and his place on the team. Like a Bergeron, where you don't expect his value to decrease as long as he is playing on the Bruins with his linemates.

He's been a great Ranger and thrilled to know he's here for the long haul. He'll raise a Cup here and we'll ever talk about years 7 and 8 again.

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

I will repeat what I’ve said for years and what Larry followed up with:

Teams don’t fixate on salary 6 years down the line. A segment of fans do.

As for the deal itself, solid give and take by both sides. Rangers traded term for a average, Zibanejad acquired security to stay in a place he has always supposedly loved.

It’s a gamble. But a manageable one.

Edge, as it stands now, we have to get rid of both Kreider and Trouba to fit in Laf, Kakko and Fox long-term, right?

 

[SA16]

Those guys besides Lee also Overpaid lmao

FYI it’s not 2006 anymore. Just thought I’d let you know.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Now just give him the C and the 50 point season is all but guaranteed lol

 

[bobbop]

Anyone who thinks this is an overpayment is flat out crazy. This is below market value.

Once the cap starts to rise, this will be less of an issue.

 

[Don Chytil]

Can anyone tell me why this takes us out of the running for Eichel? A Zib-Eichel 1-2 punch at center could be great for years. Not worried about the cap - we can find a home for Kreider or Trouba in a couple years when the kids need to get paid. Part of me feels like Larry saying “this should quiet the Eichel talk” is just posturing.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

Every single player ages differently. You can look at macro data and try to predict where his play will be in 8 years, but we just don't know. What we do know is that for the next 3-4 years we have one of the best centers in hockey playing for this team. Mika has become so consistent and his importance to this team cannot be overstated. $8.5MM AAV is a win. Last but not least, we can all stfu about Eichel now.

 

[MysticLeviathan]

Fox, Kakko, and Kravtsov need extensions after this season, and Chytil and Laf need one after the following season.

This is only the beginning for Drury

 

[JimmyG89]

People keep saying Zibanejad won't age gracefully, but I see no reason to think he will not be productive throughout the deal.

He has a fantastic shot, top tier in the league. That shot doesn't dissappear. So it'll be a weapon through the deal.

He also currently plays pretty heavy. If he is losing a step, cut some weight. He takes very good care of himself.

Concussion issues are overblown. When was his last one? Remember when some guy wearing 87 had those? Can't remember when he got one last.

We're talking about one of the top centers in the game. This isn't when they signed Stepan or when they were looking at Hayes signing. This is a different level of player.

 

[WojtekWolski86]

People complaining about term...Guys no upcoming UFA is signing less than 7 years. These guys want financial stability, so please come back to reality. He wasn't going to sign a 5 year deal to make YOU happy.

 

[Bob Richards]

Seems pretty good to me.

if they ever want to move it they’ll probably just call some other GMs for a favor like seemingly everyone else does in the league lol.

 

[Esa 10]

Brilliant cap #. We got our #1 locked up for Panarin years. LTIR can be used if anything goes wrong on the backend. So much smarter than taking a risk on Eichel. Still have assets to play with if we wanna go trade route for Strome replacement.

Drury redeems himself after the disappointing Buch deal. Now it's up to Zib to perform.