HEAD START
After concussion, Zibanejad showing Rangers what to expect next year
FLYERS 4 RANGERS 3
PHILADELPHIA — This is the Mika Zibanejad the Rangers envisioned upon acquiring him (and a second-rounder) from Ottawa in exchange for Derick Brassard during the summer of 2016 and then when signing No. 93 to a five-year contract worth $26.75 million last July.
This is the No. 93 who is assertive and dynamic in playing the 200-foot game while emerging with the puck from battles, setting up teammates on the rush and off the cycle while scoring in bunches off the most lethal shot on the team.
And this represents a sharp reversal in fortune for Zibanejad, who following a strong getaway, was a midseason shell of himself after returning in mid-December from a concussion that, the center told The Post, “was not just one or two for me.”
“I’ve had quite a few,” Zibanejad said before the Rangers’ 4-3 defeat to the Flyers on Thursday in which he scored his sixth goal in the last four games and ninth in 10 matches since the trade deadline. “When I came back, I was very aware of that and very cautious with the way I played. It’s not how you want it to be, but at the same time you don’t have the confidence to play your game and get into battles like you normally would. “When you have a concussion, it takes over your whole life, not just hockey.”
It took Zibanejad, who’d recorded 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in 24 games before leaving the lineup on Nov. 28, weeks to regain his form. It did not help that his return following a 19-day, nine-game absence was divided in pretty quick succession by the Christmas break, the bye week and the All-Star break.
“I’m not blaming that, but it didn’t help to have it cut up that way,” Zibanejad said. “It took a while. It took longer than I wanted. But slowly and gradually I started becoming myself again, playing more on instinct, getting into those battles and playing my game.”
Indeed, Zibanejad’s recent goalscoring spree has elevated his total to 26. With eight games remaining, he has an opportunity to become the first Blueshirt center to score at least 30 goals since Eric Lindros recorded 37 in 2001-02. His 13 powerplay goals are the most by a Ranger since Ryan Callahan scored 13 in 2011-12.
Measuring players’ performances in essentially meaningless games can be tricky, but the fact is players are always playing for something.
“You always put the team first when you’re evaluating your season, and if we don’t make the playoffs, then we failed,” Zibanejad said. “I’ve been through this before [with Ottawa] and it’s very disappointing. It sucks.
“But you take every experience and keep evolving. You have to figure out why things went wrong. This is a lesson. You have to deal with it and learn from it. You’re playing for pride and for the logo, but also for yourself. You want to show what you’re made of.
“I am not going to wipe out here. I am not giving up.”
Even if there are no playoff games ahead for the Rangers, Zibanejad is on his way to play meaningful games in May. The Team Sweden staff has already checked in with the Stockholm native about representing his country in the World Championship tournament that will be played in Denmark.
Zibanejad won’t turn 25 until April 18. There is still room for growth in his game. Room to grow as a dispatcher. As the Rangers rebuild, the organization appears to have depth down the middle — even if unproven — in Zibanejad, Kevin Hayes, Ryan Spooner, Vladislav Namestnikov, Filip Chytil, Lias Andersson, Brett Howden and Boo Nieves.
But even as there is strength in numbers, the Blueshirts’ need is for a blue-chip first-liner to emerge. Zibanejad believes he can fill that role.
“I want to be the No. 1 guy,” he said. “This is the first year I’ve been in that position where my line is against the other team’s top line or checking line, and I think I’m learning how to handle it.
“I want to prove the Rangers did the right thing by trading for me and then giving me that assignment. And I want to prove to myself that I can be that guy, as well.”