**It Is Done: New York Rangers Right Winger Mika Zibanejad Is the Odd Man Out for New York Rangers Now with Edmonton Oilers Also Sent a Message to New York Rangers Head Coach Mike Sullivan**
The New York Rangers are at a crossroads this offseason, and one of the biggest storylines emerging is the future of star right winger Mika Zibanejad. Once considered a cornerstone of the franchise, Zibanejad now appears to be the odd man out as the Rangers look to retool their roster for a deeper playoff push. Adding fuel to the fire, the Edmonton Oilers have reportedly sent a strong message to Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan, signaling their interest in a potential blockbuster move. The situation is evolving rapidly, and all signs point to a major shake-up on Broadway.
Zibanejad, who has been a consistent offensive force for the Rangers, is coming off a season where he tallied 72 points (26 goals, 46 assists) in 81 games. While those numbers are solid, they represent a slight decline from his peak years, and with the Rangers looking to inject more youth and speed into their lineup, the 31-year-old forward has found himself in trade rumors. The emergence of younger talents like Alexis Lafrenière and Kaapo Kakko, combined with the Rangers’ need to free up cap space for defensive reinforcements, has made Zibanejad expendable.
The Edmonton Oilers, always in search of elite scoring to complement Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, have reportedly reached out to the Rangers with a strong offer. While the exact details remain undisclosed, sources suggest that the Oilers are willing to part with a combination of high draft picks, prospects, and possibly even a roster player to land Zibanejad. The message sent to Mike Sullivan, who recently took over as Rangers head coach, was clear: Edmonton is serious about acquiring Zibanejad and believes he could be the missing piece to push them over the top in the Western Conference.
For the Rangers, trading Zibanejad would mark the end of an era. Since arriving in New York in a 2016 trade that sent Derick Brassard to Ottawa, Zibanejad has been a fan favorite and a leader in the locker room. His clutch performances, including multiple overtime winners and a five-goal game against Washington in 2020, have cemented his legacy in Rangers history. However, the NHL is a business, and with the team’s window for contention still open, general manager Chris Drury may see this as the perfect time to maximize Zibanejad’s value before his contract becomes a potential burden.
The Oilers, on the other hand, are in win-now mode. Despite having two of the best players in the world in McDavid and Draisaitl, the team has struggled to find consistent secondary scoring. Zibanejad’s ability to play both center and wing, his lethal one-timer on the power play, and his playoff experience make him an ideal fit for Edmonton’s top six. Pairing him with McDavid or Draisaitl could create one of the most dangerous lines in hockey, giving the Oilers the firepower they need to compete with the likes of Colorado, Dallas, and Vegas in the West.
Of course, any trade involving a player of Zibanejad’s caliber comes with risks. For the Rangers, losing his leadership and offensive production would be a significant blow, even if the return includes promising young players or draft capital. The team would need to rely even more heavily on their younger forwards to step up, and while Lafrenière and Kakko have shown flashes of brilliance, neither has yet proven they can carry the offensive load consistently. Additionally, the Rangers would need to ensure that any assets acquired in the trade address their most pressing needs, particularly on the blue line and in goal.
For the Oilers, the question is whether Zibanejad can regain his peak form in a new environment. While he remains a highly skilled player, his defensive game has occasionally been criticized, and Edmonton already has enough offensive-minded forwards. The Oilers would need to balance their lineup carefully to avoid becoming too top-heavy, especially if they part with key depth pieces in a potential trade.
The message sent to Mike Sullivan adds another layer of intrigue to this situation. Sullivan, who coached Zibanejad during his time with Team USA at the World Championships, knows firsthand what the Swedish forward brings to the table. If the Oilers are indeed pushing hard for a deal, Sullivan’s input could play a crucial role in whether the Rangers pull the trigger. His familiarity with Zibanejad’s game and his vision for the Rangers’ system may determine whether the team views him as a core piece moving forward or as a trade chip to accelerate their rebuild.
As the offseason progresses, all eyes will be on the Rangers and Oilers to see if this potential blockbuster comes to fruition. Zibanejad’s future in New York is uncertain, and with Edmonton aggressively pursuing him, a trade could happen sooner rather than later. For Rangers fans, it would be bittersweet to see a player of Zibanejad’s caliber depart, but if the return helps the team take the next step toward a Stanley Cup, it may be a necessary sacrifice.
In the end, the NHL is a league of constant change, and even the most beloved players can find themselves on the move. Mika Zibanejad’s time with the Rangers may be coming to an end, but his next chapter could be just as exciting—especially if it means joining forces with McDavid and Draisaitl in Edmonton. One thing is certain: the hockey world will be watching closely as this story unfolds.
