After a massive slump in form, the New York Rangers are trying to get back on the right track. In the past few weeks, they have made some roster changes. The team is now trying to offload center player Mika Zibanejad.
As per reports, they approached the Vancouver Canucks for a trade involving him being directly swapped with J.T. Miller . The Canadian side has turned down this one-on-one offer.
Zibanejad has been one of the top stars for the Rangers in recent years. However, the performances this season has lead to many criticizing him. Apart from him, Chris Kreider is another top name that is one the trade block of the Rangers at the moment.
As for the Canucks, there seems to be some tension among teammates J.T. Miller and Elias Petterson. While their coach has blasted the Vancouver media over this drama, the names of both stars have come up in trade speculations.
This lead to a talk between the Rangers and the Canucks. The New York-outfit offered Zibanejad in exchange of Miller. However, the Canucks did not seem interested in this move and rejected the offer.
Following their massive slump, the Rangers have already traded away their former captain Jacob Trouba and forward Kaapo Kakko to the Anaheim Ducks and Seattle Kraken respectively.
Rangers star heaps huge praise on Mika Zibanejad amidst trade speculations
With the ways things are going at the moment, it seems Mika Zibanejad will the latest name from the New York Rangers team to be traded. Amidst the trade speculation regarding him, one of his teammates has heaped huge praise on him.
In the game against the Dallas Stars, Zibanejad picked up another point. After the game, Adam Fox lauded him for his efforts and expressed how much the team relies on the Swedish international.
I think Mika is a guy who’s asked to do a lot for us – PK, power play, go against other teams’ top lines, and I think he does a great job of that, had some good looks, obviously a great shot on the power play to get that one, and yeah, we’re just gonna keep relying on him.
Adam Fox said as per NHL.com
Following a point in this game, Zibanejad collected his 25th point of the season. Despite him contributing, the Rangers once again ended up on the losing side.
At one stage in the third period, the Rangers were 3-0 up. However, they blew their lead and lost 5-4 in overtime. The team are now 18-20-2 for the season.
