Chris Drury and the New York Rangers Encouraged to Move On from Star Player in 2026
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As the dust begins to settle on another emotionally charged season at Madison Square Garden, the New York Rangers find themselves at a critical crossroads. The team, once again packed with star power and high expectations, failed to capitalize on a golden opportunity to make a serious Stanley Cup run in 2025. With fans growing restless and the front office seeking a new path forward, the focus has begun to shift toward 2026—and with it, a growing sentiment: It’s time for the Rangers to move on from one of their cornerstone players.
Whether through trade, buyout, or a strategic retooling of the roster, sources close to the organization have confirmed that general manager Chris Drury is being encouraged, both internally and externally, to part ways with a star whose presence may now be hindering more than helping.
While Drury has built a competitive team and brought in marquee names to complement a talented core, one undeniable truth continues to resurface—the Rangers have all the ingredients, but the recipe isn’t delivering a championship-caliber result. Now, the pressure is mounting to make a seismic shift.
But who exactly is on the chopping block?
The Star in Question: Mika Zibanejad
While the Rangers have several high-priced names, the focal point of internal trade discussions has zeroed in on veteran center Mika Zibanejad. The 32-year-old Swede has been a pillar of the Rangers organization since arriving in a 2016 trade from the Ottawa Senators. He’s worn an “A” on his chest, scored clutch playoff goals, and provided leadership both on and off the ice.
But as the team looks ahead to 2026, several key factors are forcing Drury and his staff to evaluate whether Zibanejad’s future aligns with their vision.
Declining Production & Age Curve
Zibanejad’s offensive production has remained respectable, but not elite. In the 2024–25 season, he tallied 23 goals and 47 assists for 70 points in 81 games—a solid showing, but a step down from his peak output earlier in the decade when he was a point-per-game force.
Advanced analytics also indicate that Zibanejad’s underlying numbers are trending downward. His five-on-five shot suppression has weakened, his expected goals for per 60 has dropped, and his faceoff win percentage, once a strength, now hovers just above 48%.
At 32, Zibanejad is entering the tail end of his prime. With five years remaining on his eight-year, $68 million contract, the Rangers must now ask the hard question: Can we afford to pay $8.5 million annually to a second-line center whose best years may be behind him?
The Cap Crunch & Roster Recalibration
The NHL’s salary cap is projected to rise in 2026, but that doesn’t necessarily give the Rangers breathing room. With Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox, and Igor Shesterkin eating up significant cap space—and the emergence of younger players like Braden Schneider, Brennan Othmann, and Will Cuylle—the Rangers must consider allocating their dollars differently.
Zibanejad’s contract includes a full no-movement clause, which complicates trade scenarios. But league sources say Drury could approach the veteran with a respectful request to waive his clause for the right opportunity—especially if it places him on a contender.
Teams like the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, and Minnesota Wild—all in need of a skilled, defensively responsible center—could emerge as potential trade partners if New York agrees to retain salary or take back a shorter contract.
Locker Room Dynamics and Identity Questions
Zibanejad is revered in the Rangers locker room and has served as a bridge between the older veterans and the rising young stars. But multiple team insiders suggest the leadership structure has become “too comfortable”—and that a shakeup may be necessary to refocus the group’s mindset.
Chris Kreider, the other longtime face of the franchise, is in a similar situation. But sources indicate Drury views Kreider as a more versatile asset, both on and off the ice. Kreider’s physical game, penalty killing, and net-front presence continue to carry value in ways Zibanejad’s finesse-oriented game may not.
If the Rangers are serious about reshaping their identity into one that matches the speed, physicality, and hunger of modern Cup contenders, moving on from Zibanejad might be the first domino to fall.
Fan Sentiment: Split Down the Middle
Among Rangers fans, Mika Zibanejad holds a sacred place. He’s been the face of many highs—his five-goal game against the Capitals, numerous overtime winners, and his clutch 2022 playoff performances are forever etched in Rangers lore.
However, even his most loyal supporters are beginning to waver. Social media and sports talk radio have become hotbeds of debate. One side argues that Zibanejad’s skill set remains irreplaceable, while the other insists that his time in New York has run its course.
“We love Mika, but love doesn’t win Cups,” one Rangers fan said on an NY Post call-in show. “We’ve run this group back for four years and it’s always the same ending. Something has to change.”
The most vocal critics point to Zibanejad’s inconsistent playoff showings as evidence that the Rangers need a more aggressive, hard-nosed No. 1 center to compete with teams like Carolina, Florida, and Toronto.
What a Potential Trade Could Look Like
If Drury decides to shop Zibanejad, the options are varied but limited by his no-movement clause.
Potential Trade Scenario
To Colorado Avalanche:
- Mika Zibanejad (50% salary retained)
- 2026 3rd-round pick
To New York Rangers:
- Alex Newhook (C)
- 2026 1st-round pick
- Conditional 2027 pick (based on playoff performance)
This type of deal gives the Rangers a younger center with upside in Newhook, additional cap flexibility, and a valuable first-round asset to stock the cupboard. Colorado, desperate to fill the void left by Nazem Kadri years earlier, gets a proven top-six center to bolster their Cup window.
Other possible destinations include:
- Boston Bruins: With Bergeron and Krejci retired, Boston needs center help.
- Los Angeles Kings: Have youth and cap space, and are looking for a veteran voice.
- Seattle Kraken: Could use Zibanejad as a franchise face and veteran leader.
The Impact on the Rangers’ Core
Trading Zibanejad wouldn’t just be a cap-clearing move. It would send a clear message that no one is safe, and that New York is serious about maximizing the prime of its remaining stars.
It would also pave the way for Filip Chytil or even Brennan Othmann to take on larger roles down the middle, potentially speeding up their development. It would allow the Rangers to be players in free agency or the trade market, targeting younger centers or depth pieces without cap shackles.
The Drury Factor: Will He Pull the Trigger?
Chris Drury has been both praised and criticized during his tenure as Rangers GM. He’s made bold moves—signing Panarin, trading for Vladimir Tarasenko, re-signing key pieces—but he’s also been hesitant to break up the core that he inherited from Jeff Gorton.
2026 may represent his defining offseason. The Rangers’ fan base is no longer content with second-round exits or excuses. With a generational goalie in Shesterkin and an elite defenseman in Fox, the time to win is now.
Moving Zibanejad would be a gamble. It could backfire and alienate part of the locker room. But it could also re-energize a franchise that feels just one move away from glory.
A Look Around the League: Precedents for Parting With Fan Favorites
If the Rangers are looking for inspiration, they don’t need to look far. Around the league, teams have parted with big names in the pursuit of long-term success.
- Chicago Blackhawks traded Artemi Panarin in his prime to re-balance their roster.
- Boston Bruins let go of long-time stars like Krejci and Bergeron with grace and purpose.
- Los Angeles Kings moved on from franchise icon Jonathan Quick for the sake of contention.
In each case, difficult decisions were made with the team’s future in mind.
Zibanejad, while a beloved player, may fall into that category if the Rangers are truly serious about turning the page.
Legacy vs. Future
The Rangers are at a turning point. They’ve built a roster capable of competing but not conquering. Their stars are respected, but not feared. Their playoff exits are frequent, and the hunger for a Stanley Cup is growing more intense with each passing year.
Chris Drury has a chance to be bold. Moving Mika Zibanejad in 2026 won’t be easy—it may even be painful—but it could be the jolt the franchise needs to move forward.
Zibanejad’s legacy in New York is secure. He brought skill, class, and countless highlights to the world’s most famous arena. But sometimes, the best way to honor a player’s contribution is to let them write the final chapter elsewhere—while the team writes a new beginning.
