Just before the two sides headed into an arbitration hearing, the New York Rangers and Mika Zibanejad agreed to a five-year, $26.75MM contract. The deal will pay Zibanejad an average of $5.35MM per season. Craig Morgan of AZ Sports has the yearly breakdown:
- 2017-18: $5MM salary + $1MM signing bonus
- 2018-19: $5.5MM salary
- 2019-20: $5.35MM salary
- 2020-21: $2.65MM salary + $2.5MM signing bonus
- 2021-22: $4.75MM salary
Zibanejad, 24, will be given the reins as the top center option in New York this year just a year after being acquired from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Derick Brassard. The Rangers shipped Derek Stepan out of town a few weeks ago, leaving Zibanejad and Kevin Hayes as the de facto top two options (unless the team decides to move J.T. Miller back to the middle at some point). With that comes some risk, but the Rangers feel as though the young center can step into the top role and run with it for the next several years.
Already with two 20-goal seasons under his belt by 23, Zibanejad was limited to just 56 games last season but still recorded 37 points and looked like the Rangers most dangerous forward on many nights. His improving faceoff skills and defensive play were on display during the shortened year, as was his fit on the Rangers’ powerplay. He’ll look to be a big part of what should be an improved group after the offseason addition of Kevin Shattenkirk, noted powerplay monster. With increased PP time, and a bigger role 5-on-5 you could see Zibanejad finally crack the 60-point mark if not higher this season. The ability is apparent, and now the opportunity is there to match it.
Interestingly though, Zibanejad comes in ahead of Tyler Johnson’s average salary of $5MM. Though Zibanejad is a couple of years younger than the Tampa Bay pivot, he’s still giving up three years of unrestricted free agency as he’s been playing in the league so long already. Though some would argue that Zibanejad’s future looks stronger as a true #1 center, Johnson has the higher peak season so far and has received Selke votes for his defensive prowess. Johnson also gave up six years of free agency in a deal that is looking better by the day.
The Rangers though will be happy to plug a $5.35MM number into their salary structure for the next five seasons, a number that will leave them with just over $3MM in cap room for the upcoming year. They have no more restricted free agents to sign, so it is possible they could dip their toes back into the UFA market if there is a player sitting out there that interests them. With Shattenkirk added and a more mobile defense corps they are definitely contenders to post a 100-point season or even win the Metropolitan division.
Wow. AAV is a little higher than I thought.
I think the AAV fits in the window everyone was talking about and is worth it because of the length. This should be a good deal for both sides.
Yeah I like it for both sides but I had him coming in at 4.9 to 5.
I guess I was expecting him to come in a little under Tatar.
Rangers kind of set themselves up by making him their de facto #1 center and had to pay him closer to that type of money. In the end I think this will be looked back at as a good deal so I’m not bothered.
Also it’s a deal during his prime. Not going to wind up paying him more than he’s worth down the road
Yeah I still think it’s a good deal for both sides. It just was a little more than I expected but not egregiously over.