Center Mika Zibanejad has committed to spending the prime of his hockey career with the New York Rangers. The 28-year-old Swede inked a new contract extension with the franchise that will see him wearing the Rangers jersey all the way through the 2029-30 NHL season.
Zibanejad had one year left on the five-year, $26.75 million extension which he signed in 2017, but the Rangers didn’t want to take any chances with their best player in recent years. Although he had a down campaign by his standards in 2020-21, Zibanejad still managed to pack 50 points in 56 games. This followed 74-point and 75-point outings in the previous two seasons.
According to the Rangers’ official announcement, Zibanejad will earn $8.5 million annually starting the 2022-23 season. This puts a total value of $68 million on his new deal.
“In addition to being a great player on the ice, Mika is an exemplary person off of the ice. We are fortunate to have him as part of our Rangers organization and are excited that he will continue his career in New York,” said Rangers general manager Chris Drury.
Mika Zibanejad started his NHL journey in the 2011-12 season, joining the Ottawa Senators from Swedish Hockey League (SEL) team Djurgardens IF. After spending five seasons in Ottawa, Zibanejad was traded to the Rangers in a deal that saw Derick Brassard head in the opposite direction.
The Rangers definitely got the better of the deal as Brassard spent only one and a half-season with the Senators while Zibanejad developed in a franchise cornerstone. Since arriving in New York, Zibanejad played 323 games for the Rangers and has 136 goals and 147 assists for a total of 283 points.
