Rangers Finding A Way To Make It Work With Mika Zibanejad And Avoid Noise

With the dust mostly settled, it appears as if Mika Zibanejad will return to the New York Rangers for the 2025-26 season.

Despite having a full no-move clause in his contract, there were still some trade rumors involving Zibanejad.

However, those rumors have not turned into action and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman emphasized that the Rangers are not looking to move Zibanejad and cause more unnecessary drama at the moment.

“It’s very clear (the Rangers) are working with Mika Zibanejad,” Friedman said. “(Head coach Mike) Sullivan (went) to meet him. They’re trying to figure out a way to make it work, (and) avoid the noise.

“You never know if it’ll continue, but the bottom line is, this season is not starting the way the last two did (with trade rumors and speculation).”

This comes after Friedman also reported that the Rangers had not asked Zibanejad to waive his no-move clause this offseason.

“Obviously there’s been a lot of news, conjecture, and speculation around him,” Friedman said of Zibanejad. “I poked around and this is what I can tell you, he has not been asked to submit teams or waive (his no-move clause). Remember, he has control over this. He has the no-move clause, nothing could happen without Zibanejad’s control or approval. He has not been asked to submit teams or waive.”