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Who will be GM Chris Drury’s next victim in the retooling of the New York Rangers? According to recent reports by Frank Seravalli of DFO, it could be Mika Zibanejad as the old core looks to be one its way out after Chris Kreider‘s trade was finalized today.
The New York Rangers are kicking into offseason mode, as Chris Kreider was traded to the Anaheim Ducks, GM Chris Drury’s favorite dumping ground for veteran players.
Not only is he out of the Eastern Conference, but on a completely different side of the country.
Now, we ponder who’s next? According to multiple sources, including David Pagnotta of TFP and Frank Servalli, it’s Mika Zibanejad.
Zibanejad is a part of the core who has made multiple trips to the Eastern Conference Finals and won a Presidents’ Trophy, but couldn’t finish the job. Now, Chris Drury is going to attempt to move him, even with a full NMC.
Zibanejad scored a total of 62 points (20-42) in 82 games this season and regained his confidence playing in the IIHF World Championships.
Now, he could find himself in a different part of the NHL depending on how well Chris Drury can work the phones.
Given how steep a decline we experienced with the Rangers, it’s not shocking that Drury is getting rid of players who haven’t been able to play up to expectations, nor deliver a Stanley Cup.
Will Drury have to eat part of Zibanejad’s salary in order to move him elsewhere? He has a cap hit of $8.5 million AAV and has 4 years left on the deal.
If Drury can pull this off before free-agency kicks off, it’ll be seriously impressive, but the question remains what he could yield in assets in a trade?
We’ll find out soon enough if speculation becomes fact.
Previously on NYRangersInsider