New York Rangers Star Opens Up On His Declining Ice Time After A Poor Start To The Season

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Tom Banks
October 30, 2024 (3:34 PM)

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Mika Zibanejad has been a star for the New York Rangers for years, but now he has reacted to Head Coach Peter Laviolette giving him less and less ice time.

The New York Rangers once again begin 2024/25 as Stanley Cup contenders in the Eastern Conference, and through nine games, they're looking every bit as good as expected, posting a 6-2-1 mark in that time. However, there could be drama brewing, specifically with the team's top line of Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Reilly Smith, as their ice time has been dramatically reduced this season. Recently, Zibanejad was called out for his work ethic, and it appears behind the scenes the same questions may be asked, as he has struggled to find the same form we've seen over the last few years.

When asked about this, Zibanejad was clearly frustrated, as he noted that after averaging more than 20 minutes per game over the last few years, his time now sees him sit at around 18 minutes this season.

«You can feel it on the bench,» he said (via nypost) after a morning skate before a game against the Capitals. "I was averaging 20-plus minutes a few years ago, and I felt really good with that because you can find a better rhythm."

Unfortunately, the line just hasn't been clicking the way we've seen in recent years, as they've allowed three goals and scored three goals at 5v5 this season, while other lines has performed well, and with Peter Laviolette making his mark on this team, he clearly wants to spread minutes around.

While the line has had chemistry in recent years, things just aren't going their way in 2024/25, and when asked about the ice time, Zibanejad reiterates that less ice time isn't going to help this line, but feels they may begin clicking soon.

«I don't think anyone wants to play less, honestly.

«We haven't had one of those games where everything goes in,» he said.

In their latest loss to the Washington Capitals, Laviolette noted that the team was thoroughly outplayed, and with the likes of Kreider and Zibanejad not popping the way we've seen in recent years, this is the type of change we could continue seeing.

Their first period had much more pop in it than ours did... Didn't get much better to be honest with you for the second and third. There were spurts, but not enough.»

Ultimately, this is a line that's going to carry the Rangers down the stretch, so a little less ice time early in the year may not be the end of the world, but if it continues, this could become a story to watch.