New York Rangers sign Mika Zibanejad to eight-year extension

Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 3, 2021; Buffalo, New York, USA; The linesman drops the puck for a face-off between New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) and Buffalo Sabres center Riley Sheahan (15) during the third period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers have announced a blockbuster deal for forward Mika Zibanejad Sunday morning.

The deal was first reported by the New York Post’s Larry Brooks, who reported the deal was for eight years and carried an AAV “in the range of $8.5-million.”

Drafted by the Ottawa Senators sixth overall in 2011, Zibanejad joined the Rangers in a 2017 trade. Since then, he’s broken out.

In 323 games with the Rangers, Zibanejad has played some of the best hockey of his career scoring 136 goals and 283 points.

His most productive season came in the 2019-20 campaign here in 57 games he scored 41 goals and 75 points. His goal pace landed him 5th in the league in that category, while his point totals placed him 13th.

Zibanejad was entering the final year of a five-year, $5.35-million AAV deal and was set to be a UFA at the end of the season.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.