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Major Update on a Possible Mika Zibanejad Trade to the Penguins
Photo credit: New York Rangers
One possible trade option for Kyle Dubas this offseason has seemingly been taken off the board after the latest update on one Rangers forward.
Earlier this month, reports emerged that the New York Rangers could ask veteran forward Mika Zibanejad to waive his trade protection after fellow veteran Chris Kreider was sent to the Anaheim Ducks.
The move would make a lot of sense for New York after the club had a miserable season.
The team finished with a record of 39-36-7 after appearing in the Eastern Conference Final last year, as they earned 29 fewer standings points year-over-year.
Zibanejad was part of the problem and not the solution as he put up his worst offensive results since 2018 with just 20 goals and 62 points to go along with a -22 rating.
Understandably, the 32-year-old swede has been in trade speculation since before the season even ended due to his poor play and the team's poor performance overall.
But according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, Chris Drury and the Rangers have not asked him to waive his no-move clause just yet.
"Obviously there's been a lot of news, conjecture, and speculation around him. I poked around and this is what I can tell you, he has not been asked to submit teams or waive (his no-move clause). Remember, he has control over this. He has the no-move clause, nothing could happen without Zibanejad's control or approval. He has not been asked to submit teams or waive."
For Kyle Dubas and the Penguins, this could be a blessing in disguise.
Dubas has remained adamant that he is trying to get his club back into the playoffs before Sidney Crosby retires, and has taken flyers on veterans in similar positions to Kreider in recent years with little to no success.
At 32 years old, Zibanejad wouldn't make the team any younger either, which has been one of their biggest problems as the core continues to get older and slower.
Hopefully Dubas will be able to find a creative solution to make his team more competitive this summer, but it certainly doesn't appear as though it will include Mika Zibanejad.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 18 | 205 ANSWERS Major Update on a Possible Mika Zibanejad Trade to the Penguins Do you think the New York Rangers will trade veteran forward Mika Zibanejad this offseason? | ||
| Yes | 132 | 64.4 % |
| No | 47 | 22.9 % |
| Unsure | 26 | 12.7 % |
| List of polls | ||