[https://nypost.com/2024/03/27/sports/mika-zibanejads-rangers-legacy-hangs-in-the-balance-in-nhl-playoffs/](https://nypost.com/2024/03/27/sports/mika-zibanejads-rangers-legacy-hangs-in-the-balance-in-nhl-playoffs/)
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beckfan
@Rangers de New York
32 Comments
He has been brutal to watch recently. Don’t often agree with Brooks but Kreider looks slow and like he doesn’t care out there. No effort going after pucks or playing defense.
Everyone can see his effort skating, checking and hitting is below what we know it can be. His numbers look good sure, but the eye test for all the little things is not good.
A buddy of mine critiqued him after the clinching game and after last years playoff loss. Yet he was besides Igor, the only guy that showed up.
I agree w/ Larry. He(Kreids) must be hurt. There’s no doubt. Rest him for the playoffs or unless he wants to set records or something.
My beef is the lack of effort. Even last game he was so nonchalantly turning over the puck but not hustling back to do something, anything to get back in the play. At least with Mika there has been effort and he does not coast around the ice. As much as I love Kreider he should be on the 3rd line 5v5.
Kreider and beyond this entire team needs to bring their best performance and effort come playoffs. Yes this regular season has been fun but it’s for nothing without a great spring. There is a playoff performance stigma looming over this team that needs to be shattered.
2014-15 is already my “great season that fell short” feel good memory. Make some serious noise in the playoffs. Time to wake up.
I think some folks forget that players aren’t robots, and aren’t functioning/delivering results at 100% of capacity at all times, much like any of us. Kreider *has* made some bad plays recently, and *does* look a little “off” to me. That said, he has a new linemate that’s changed things up, and he’s also one of our older players now. He’s not going to be the same Kreider we saw a decade ago, or 5 years ago. That said, if we just take the last 3 years, Kreider:
– Has played 232 out of a possible 236 games
– Has 196pts in those games (69pts per 82 games)
– Leads the team with 121 goals (Bread is 2nd with 94)
– Is a +62
– Has 65 ES goals (only Bread has more with 70)
– Leads the team in PPG (47)
– Leads the team in SHG with 9 (Mika is 2nd with 4)
– Leads the team in GWG with 19 (Bread is 2nd with 13)
– Leads the team in S% with 17.1%
– Leads the team in Playoff Goals with 16
– Leads the team in Playoff ES Goals with 7
– Leads the team in Playoff PPG with 8
– Is the only NYR to score a Playoff SHG
– Leads the team in Playoff GWG (5)
– Leads the team in Playoff S% with 25%
This season he currently has 33G – 32A – 65PTS. He’s on pace for 38G – 36A – 74PTS. That would constitute the 2nd best season of his career, and he only needs to score 4 more than that to set a career high.
For a 32 year old lifetime Ranger we pay $6.5M/year, and are already halfway through his contract… I will take that return 10/10 times. He’s been really solid for us, and I’m thoroughly unconcerned with his overall play. We’re also at the top of the Division, Conference, and League. I’m hardly concerned about a guy who might set a career high in scoring with us this year. And as shown above, he’s been BY FAR our most consistent playoff performer. If past stats are *any* indication of future results, I’m looking forward to what he’ll bring on our way to the Cup.
The only thing that matters is what this team does in the playoffs. Because of last year. Nothing else matters. Who they play. Yada yada. Just win the Fucken Cup!!!
There’s nothing wrong with pointing out a player going through a bad stretch. The problem is the extreme takes people have. Already in this thread, multiple comments calling for us to trade him… that’s delusional.
Maybe he just needs some extra rest? I’m down with that. Overall though, he’s having a great season and we absolutely need him in the playoffs.
One thing I’ve noticed about Kreider lately is how terrible he is at retrieving a puck off the boards and board battles in general. He does this weird move all the time that pisses me off so much. When the puck is being shot out of the zone along the boards he’ll angle his stick so it deflects out towards the middle. He does this at least once per game and it never works, not only that, it usually leads to a scoring opportunity for the opposing team. Idk if he’s just stubborn because the coaches had to speak with him about this. If you haven’t noticed this before, make a mental note and you’ll see him do this all the time. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan and happy he’s on the team, just pointing out a little peccadillo.
He’s been solid all season, despite the frequent criticism. He’s likely a Rangers ATG, and at this point the only thing that matters is his playoffs. Yeah I’d like him to play a bit better right now, but taking it a bit easier at this point in the season leads to a better post season performance, I really don’t care
He’s in a little bit of a slump right now, but he’s also having easily his second best season ever at 32 years old and far outpacing his $6.5 million salary. Plus, even when he’s not showing up on the scoresheet, he’s routinely providing important screens for 1-2 goals a game. He’s not a problem.
If he’s going to slump, let it be now. We need playoff Kreider mode activated.
Also, everyone needs to chill. We are the ONLY team who clinched the playoffs so far. Even with our crappy first line. *end sarcasm
I definitely think he’s injured. His play fell off pretty quickly and I don’t think that has anything to do with either age or lack of effort. Hopefully it’s just some minor thing that can heal without him getting rest. However, he should probably be one of the forwards getting a couple of games off but I don’t think Lavi wants to rest any of his top 6 right now.
Idk man you told me to downvote so I did
Jk; I completely agree.
Panarin has stepped up during his slump, Mika is making a come back. Kreids will get hot at the right time. Guys go in and out of slumps all the time. He is a centerpiece to the team.
Kreider is just there. Sometimes you notice him and other times you forget he’s on the team. That’s how i view it. He is a master compiler of stats. If he was the lone star on the team, I would probably never notice him. He is a guy who needs to play with good players around him. Thats my take.
Forget the stats ….. what is clear is his effort and it is severely lacking.
There is a lot people can understand ….. goal droughts, the puck seemingly jumping on you all the time, .. etc but when you lazily lose the puck and then don’t bother to try to win it back or chase the guy who stole it from you…… well people are going to be critical and they should be.
The biggest problem with Kreider is his talent level. If he was just a big lug who can only stand in front of the net on the PP then ok….. but the guy can still flat out fly when it comes to skating. He is a big guy and should be a dominant forechecker and the prototypical power forward …… and he just doesn’t bother to try to use these immense talents.
I fully have faith that he’ll figure it out, and I’m not even saying bench him or drop him down severely, but God I wish they’d consider breaking up the first power play unit, or separating him and Mika for a game (when we’re not already losing pretty badly bc i know we did see Kreider moved off the first line recently) just to see if it encourages them to play a little differently than they are.
I’m also sure there’s things I’m totally unaware of and that’s *why* they’re not doing that, also I do respect Laviolettes tendency so far to let players ride things out, him not losing faith in his players and giving them the time and space to get better is amazing. Ig for me it’s less about punishing Kreider and more about giving someone like Laffy a chance, because man he’s out there hussling. I’d love to see him put on PP1.
My hopium is Kreider is setting the gas tank for a 2 month slog
I don’t think this thread understands thermodynamics at all
I think the romance between Mika and Kreids is charming and all but I still believe Lavs should split em up, even if just for a bit. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and who knows, may help both score more
Nah. Brooks is right and he’s not the only person to have noticed it. Kreider hasn’t had a good year and neither has Mika. 5 on 5 is still an issue and replacing the cast of characters on the right with Roslovic hasn’t had the desired effect.
For as much shit fans want to give Panarin in the playoffs, Mika and Kreider haven’t been all that great either and if the Rangers have designs on going far into the postseason, those two need to get out whatever funk they’re in and start producing a heck of a lot more than they are right now.
Kreider hits Mackinnon through the glass tonight and gets a hat trick
Kreider is a power forward in a broad sense. Power forwards are not known for being consistent. I’d rather he be quiet now than a month and half from now.
I think this less-productive patch is really well timed… he’s hibernating, he’ll wake back up when it’s time.
I’m not saying he needs to be traded. But the guy needs to be humbled and put in the slot he belongs like the 3rd or 4th line and YOU will then see the type of player HE truly is! Anyone can score 40 goals a season when you put gifted and talented forwards around him and give him every opportunity to capitalize. But can the guy raise his level of play to make a 3rd line EFFECTIVE!? Can he score with less talented centers and wingers? I don’t think he’s got it IN him, but we’ll see. To me, we need to humble his ass while also allowing the young and preeminent relent like Laffy, like Kakko & Cuylle to rise to their level. Give them the opportunity to EARN the ice time this Bum takes up just coasting and barely being noticed for giving up pucks and missing chances and just being mediocre. NUMBERS aren’t everything….Just because you have a guy who can shoot, skate and has size doesn’t mean you are getting a player that adds character to the equation. Just look at all these failed « Power Forwards » of the past! Guys like Rick Nash who was basically a dud on arrival here. Someone like Brandon Dubinsky who although loved by most for his style of play and energy fell far short of expectations…Others that recently come to mind Stalberg, Hayes, Jokinen and the like.
I’ll take the poor Kreider now and hope he gets going with a few games to go in the season.
He disappears for too many stretches at a time. He doesnt use his size to hit or be overly physical besides when standing in front (which is good thing yes yes). He cant really create any of his own offense. Pretty overrated
Lavy should try Roslovic-Zibanejad-Kakko
Panarin- Trocheck- Laffy
Kreider- Wennberg-Cullye
Vesey- Brodzinski- Rempe
I may be in the minority but Kreiders game almost never looks super clean or pretty. But nobody cares when he gets hot and tips in a wrister and burries a rebound in the same week.
His actual in the flow of the game play has always been pretty shaky
It’s a team of 20+ guys, not everyone is going to be playing well at the same time. Some guys will be hot (Fox, Troch, Panarin) when others are cold (Mika, Kreider) And vice versa.
Trocheck in particular has been consistently good, has career high in assists, will almost definitely get a career high in points (3 away) and is in striking distance of his career high in goals (6 away)
Kreider does look a little passive but if there’s a guy i’m not worried about his work ethic, it’s Kreider. Good news for Brooks though, there is always someone to criticize.
Team should have picked up at the deadline a 30 goal scorer who plays in all situations and has produced in the playoffs when his teammates could not…