Maybe Mika Zibanejad is a center after all - Blue Seat Blogs

"This past offseason, there was much discussion about whether the Rangers need to trade Mika Zibanejad, whether Zibanejad is a center or a wing, and what they need to do for him to succeed. We are 15 games into the 2025-2026 season, and perhaps the overwhelming majority of folks are preparing their statements to walk back offseason opinions. Zibanejad has been, far and away, the best Rangers forward to start the season. Best of all, he's doing it at multiple positions."

"When Vincent Trocheck went down in Game 1 with a still undisclosed injury, the main question about whether Zibanejad is a center or not came into full focus. Thrust back into the 2C role, a role he may have been forced into if Noah Laba didn't make the team, Zibanejad has shown that last year was a blip. Zibanejad is a center. Zibanejad is a wing. He's both, and the Rangers need that flexibility."

"When last night's lines were released, Zibanejad was sticking at center with JT Miller and Gabe Perreault on his wings. This was likely due to Perreault naturally playing right wing in Hartford, which is where Zibanejad goes when he plays wing. So perhaps out of lineup necessity, Miller was shifted to left wing, a position he played in Vancouver, to ease everyone's transition. It was a brilliant coaching decision by Mike Sullivan, one that proved Zibanejad is a center, and a good one at that."

"Zibanejad currently has five goals and nine points in 17 games, which is tied for the team lead in goals and fourth in points behind Adam Fox (3-10-13), Artemi Panarin (5-7-12), and JT Miller (3-8-11). The difference between Panarin, Miller, and Zibanejad is that only one has been a consistent force in all three zones and has looked the part of a team leader, and that's Zibanejad."

Mika Zibanejad has been the Rangers' best forward early in 2025–26, producing across multiple positions. Vincent Trocheck suffered an undisclosed Game 1 injury, returning Zibanejad to the second‑line center role. Zibanejad demonstrated last season was a blip and can play both center and wing, providing roster flexibility. Mike Sullivan kept Zibanejad at center with JT Miller and Gabe Perreault, shifting Miller to left to ease transitions. Zibanejad has five goals and nine points in 17 games, tied for the team lead in goals and fourth in points. Zibanejad has been the only consistent force, impacting all three zones.

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