Mika Zibanejad is having a rough start to his 2024-2025 season. The points–4 goals and 14 points in 18 games–are there, with all but 3 assists coming at 5v5. But there’s something missing. I theorized that he might still be dealing with some post concussion symptoms (I’m no doctor) which would be another mark on the Rangers injury management issues,. Or maybe Zibanejad’s role needs to change to get the most out of him. It’s the simplest answer, and the simplest answer is usually the right one.
As currently constructed, ZIbanejad’s role is as a shutdown center, matching up against the opposition’s top lines on a regular basis. This role is two-fold, first to put a line with defensive ability out against the opposition’s best, and second to keep those best players away from the Artemi Panarin line. But this only works if Zibanejad’s role isn’t overwhelming.
Unfortunately, Zibanejad simply hasn’t adjusted to this new role. It’s a very small sample, as 18 games is simply not enough to draw sweeping conclusions, but the stark red bars are a big concern for Zibanejad’s role. If he’s supposed to be a shutdown player while providing some level of offense, they need to be able to get out of the zone. With so much red, it’s clear it’s not working this season.
What’s interesting is Zibanejad was not this bad last season. He wasn’t stellar, but he was above water in everything except volume against, something the whole team struggled (struggles?) with. His 2023-2024 chart is fine, if underwhelming. His 2024-2025 chart is ugly. Nick Bonino ugly.
If it’s not an injury, Zibanejad’s role needs to change
The hope is that Zibanejad is playing through an injury that we don’t know about. The lack of aggression in his game is a big red flag though, and while that may be a physical injury, it feels like there’s more to it. The post concussion symptoms would certainly impact his aggression and mental aspect of the game, but again I”m no doctor and that’s just a theory.
If it’s not an injury, then it’s a simple matter of changing Zibanejad’s role to get the most out of him. That may mean far more offensive zone starts against weaker competition, meaning the third line of Will Cuylle-Filip Chytil-Kaapo Kakko would get more shifts against top competition like Dylan Larkin, while the Panarin line would get fewer dedicated offensive zone starts.
In theory, this brings more balance to the lineup, as it puts the now third line (Zibanejad’s line) in a more offensive role, something that probably suits that trio better. Kakko and Cuylle are defensive machines, and Chytil is the Rangers best 5v5 player right now. They are young, quick, tenacious on the forecheck, and play a three zone game. On paper, it works.
What we do know is Zibanejad’s role isn’t working right now. He’s a notorious slow starter, so there’s hope. But something needs to change. The defense pairs are mostly fine, minus Ryan Lindgren’s struggles. The roster depth has been solid. It’s the top of the lineup that’s been a concern, and it begins and ends with Mika Zibanejad’s role int he lineup.
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