The New York Rangers are expected to make significant moves this offseason, and one name that could be on the trading block is Mika Zibanejad.
A fan-generated trade proposal on PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool envisions a deal where the Rangers send Zibanejad to the Carolina Hurricanes.
This hypothetical deal would be a notable swap between two division rivals, with both teams offloading large contracts. The Rangers would also gain a valuable first-round pick, which could be used in future trade negotiations.
He, currently in year four of an eight-year, $38.56 million contract, hasn’t fully met expectations but could serve as a solid third-line center for New York while injecting youth into the lineup. He posted 12 goals and 21 assists for 33 points in 78 games last season. The suggested trade looks like this:
To the Rangers:
- Jesperi Kotkaniemi
- 2026 first-round pick (from Dallas)
To the Hurricanes:
- Mika Zibanejad
- Adam Edstrom
On the other side, Carolina would receive Zibanejad, who has four years left on his eight-year, $68 million deal. Zibanejad could slot in as a top-line center and bring a much-needed offensive boost, having tallied 20 goals and 42 assists for 62 points across 82 games.
New York would also part with Adam Edstrom, a pending restricted free agent. A 2019 sixth-round pick, Edstrom is a 6-foot-7 forward who played in 51 games last season, contributing 5 goals and 4 assists. He could bring size and depth to the Hurricanes’ fourth line.
Insider Expects Rangers to Shop Zibanejad
The New York Rangers missed the playoffs last season and are expected to shake up their roster.
According to NHL insider Arthur Staple of The Athletic, Mika Zibanejad is among the players the team could look to move.
“Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider have been inseparable mainstays for nearly a decade, forming a strong bond that’s helped lead the Rangers to a fair amount of success,” Staple wrote. “If GM Chris Drury wants to move on from those two foundational players, he’ll need to get creative. Anyone thinking Kreider — who turns 34 soon and has back issues — will bring back meaningful assets is mistaken.”
Staple added that the Rangers may need to consider a buyout or retain part of Kreider’s $6.5 million AAV salary (with two years remaining) to facilitate a trade, especially given Kreider’s 15-team no-trade list. Meanwhile, Zibanejad’s situation is even more complex due to his full no-move clause and a heavily bonus-laden deal that makes a buyout virtually impossible. He has five years left on his contract at $8.5 million AAV.
Despite Zibanejad’s full control over his future, his name continues to surface in trade speculation.
Zibanejad Has Spoken to New Rangers Coach
Even though Mika Zibanejad has been mentioned in trade rumors, he seemed committed to staying in New York last season.
The Rangers brought in Mike Sullivan as their new head coach over the summer. Despite the speculation around his future, Zibanejad said he’s already had a conversation with Sullivan about his role on the team.
“Yeah, I talked to him,” Zibanejad said. “He’s a coach with a lot of experience and success in the league. I’m looking forward to getting to know him better.”
Zibanejad has been selected to the NHL All-Star Game once in his career.
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