Mika Zibanejad News

Zibanejad was scratched from the lineup Thursday in St. Louis due to illness, and his status remains in question for Saturday's matinee. Monitor Zibanejad's status as the Rangers hit the ice for warmups at 12:30 PM ET.

Zibanejad was expected to play on Thursday after missing the last two practices due to an illness, but the Rangers' superstar left warmups before line rushes took place and was announced as a scratch less than five minutes before puck drop. Zac Jones will draw into the lineup in place of Zibanejad as New York will now opt to dress seven defensemen.

Zibanejad did not practice on Wednesday due to an illness but will play on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. Zibenejad has only two points (0G / 2A) in his last four games but has been consistent all season, scoring 39 points (14G / 25A) in 39 games.

Zibanejad did not practice on Wednesday due to an illness but is expected to play at some point on their upcoming two-game road trip. Zibenejad has only two points (0G / 2A) in his last four games but has been consistent all season, scoring 39 points (14G / 25A) in 39 games.

Zibanejad scratched on Wednesday but was back on the ice for Friday's morning skate and is expected to play on Friday. Zibanejad has been cruising since the middle of December, scoring 24 goals with 36 assists (60 points) in his last 52 games.

Zibanejad will not practice on Saturday and his status for Sunday's game vs. the Sabres is in doubt. He could test out of protocol, so monitor his status on Sunday.

Zibanejad is entering the final year of a five-year, $26.75M contract and is now signed through the 2030 season. The $8.5M AAV cap-hit represents a $3.15M AAV raise for the 28-year-old centre, who has registered 199 points (95G / 104A) in 195 games over the last three seasons.

Zibanejad missed the first few weeks of training camp after testing positive for COVID-19 but was on the ice for Thursday's morning skate and will play vs. the Islanders. Head coach David Quinn said he expects to see "full Mika tonight" so it doesn't sound like Zibanejad is dealing with any limitations. He is coming off of a career year and will look to maintain the blistering pace he set a year ago.

The Rangers called Zibanejad day-to-day, so it doesn't sound like he's going to miss any regular-season time at this point, but his situation is certainly one worth monitoring as the season approaches.

Zibanejad has missed the last 13 games but was a full participant in Tuesday's practice and is expected to play Wednesday vs. the Hurricanes. Zibanejad skated with Chris Kreider and Pavel Buchnevich and will look to build off of a strong start to the season--he had 11 points (4G / 7A) in his first nine games.

Zibanejad was on the ice for Monday's morning skate but will miss at least one more game. Head coach David Quinn said that the plan is for Zibanejad to play Wednesday and based on today's morning skate he will play with Filip Chytil and Pavel Buchnevich in his return.

Zibanejad remains sidelined by and upper-body injury that he suffered back on October 27th. He hasn't returned to full practice yet but the fact that he is skating on his own suggests that Zibanejad could be back in the next week or so.

Zibanejad will not play Tuesday vs. the Penguins and will not travel to Florida, so the earliest he could return is next Wednesday vs. the Capitals. The Rangers have for 4-1-1 in the first six games without Zibanejad and Filip Chytil has four goals on 12 shots since being called up to replace Zibanejad.

Zibanejad will not play Wednesday vs. the Red Wings but also won't travel to Carolina for Thursday's game. Look for Zibanejad to return on Sunday at the earliest. Ryan Strome will continue to centre the first line with Zibanefad sidelined.

Zibanejad will miss his third straight game with an upper-body injury on Monday but is "making progress," according to head coach David Quinn. "He had another good day today," Quinn told reporters. "He's still day-to-day" and "we'll see" when asked about a potential return on Wednesday. The Rangers have played well without Zibanejad, thanks to new-found chemistry between Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome and the impressive play from Filip Chytil, who was recalled from Hartford (AHL).

The Rangers will stick with the same lineup on Saturday, which means Zibanejad will miss his second straight game. Rangers' head coach David Quinn announced that Zibanejad's injury is in the "neck area." Filip Chytil played very well in Zibanejad's absence, so expect them to make sure he's 100 percent before re-inserting him into the lineup in a November game.

Zibanejad suffered an upper-body injury against the Bruins on Sunday and will not be in the lineup vs. Tampa Bay. Zibanejad will be replaced by Filip Chytil, who was recalled from Hartford (AHL) on Monday. Zibanejad is officially day-to-day.

Zibanejad suffered an upper-body injury on Sunday and was not on the ice for Monday’s practice. Brett Howden was bumped up into the top-6 and Ryan Strome was on the first power-play unit after Zibanejad got hurt. Look for them to play expanded roles and for Jesper Fast (personal) to replace him in the lineup if Zibanejad can’t play.