Valriera Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 (edited) We know he’s good. His stats are good. Everything is good about this guy. How good is he? I didn’t think about it until the playoffs but this guy really doesn’t get the respect he deserves. Sure, he’s referred to as a legit 1c but I think you have to go further. He’s got to be top 3. He’s better than Draisaitl. Is he better than McDavid? He’s got to be in the conversation. Yes I know highlight reels and ability to skate through whole teams, but what we’ve seen from this guy last two years is someone who dominates the game in all situations and is one of the better centers in his own zone too. Even writing this feels weird but Mika honestly checks all the boxes. He’s got the points, he dominates the game, he plays everywhere, and he makes his line mates better. Why does it feel weird? Where does he fall amongst centers in the league? Edited October 12, 2022 by Valriera 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuc Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 He's amazing and he's somehow still a bit underrated, but top 3 is too much. He's not McDavid, Mackinnon or Matthews, but he's right behind. You can still put Crosby ahead of Mika aswell, but after that I think Mika has a fair argument. He's arguably a top 5 center right now and he's atleast top 10. I said in pre season that I think this will be the year of Mika. No more passing up scoring chances to pass it to Kreids, it's Mika takeover time! 50/50/100 is possible. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 Top 5 C in the East, I can buy. He's a stud. No 2 ways about it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichieNextel305 Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 (edited) It remains to be seen. The only thing holding him back is that he hasn’t been able to put everything all together for a full season yet. He’s been a slow starter, which has been talked about. But as far as tools in the toolbox goes, the guy has it all. When he’s in top gear, like he was last night, he is an absolute freak. And what makes it even better is that he’s not a one trick pony; he can defend the hell out of you and win faceoffs and play responsible hockey. He came out last night like he has a bone to pick with someone and something. One of these years, he’s gonna put everything together. He’s fully capable of having one of those monster 50+ goal seasons with 100+ points. And whenever that happens, you’ll see him get the full respect he’s due. If he rolls the way he did last night most of the year this season and he stays healthy, he may be ready to explode. Edited October 12, 2022 by RichieNextel305 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsm7302 Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 20 minutes ago, RichieNextel305 said: It remains to be seen. The only thing holding him back is that he hasn’t been able to put everything all together for a full season yet. He’s been a slow starter, which has been talked about. But as far as tools in the toolbox goes, the guy has it all. When he’s in top gear, like he was last night, he is an absolute freak. And what makes it even better is that he’s not a one trick pony; he can defend the hell out of you and win faceoffs and play responsible hockey. He came out last night like he has a bone to pick with someone and something. One of these years, he’s gonna put everything together. He’s fully capable of having one of those monster 50+ goal seasons with 100+ points. And whenever that happens, you’ll see him get the full respect he’s due. If he rolls the way he did last night most of the year this season and he stays healthy, he may be ready to explode. If he keeps playing like he did last night, he will make up for Kreider falling back to earth this year. If CK20 replicates last year, we will have one of the top lines in the league. Kakko looked GOOOODDDD on that line. Let them grow! Exciting times for Mika and the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuc Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 NHL.com made a top 20 centers list before the season, had Mika at #10. https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-current-players-ranked-top-20-centers/c-335232368 Quote 10. Mika Zibanejad, New York Rangers Zibanejad had NHL career highs in assists (52), points (81), power-play points (28) and plus-minus rating (plus-30) in 81 games last season. The 29-year-old also led Rangers forwards in average ice time per game (19:38), including 2:59 on the power play and 1:50 while shorthanded. A seven-time 20-goal scorer, Zibanejad had 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 20 playoff games to help New York advance to the Eastern Conference Final. "If you were to put this question to Chris Kreider, 'Why on Earth did you get 52 goals this year?', the first two words out of his mouth would be, 'Mika Zibanejad," Grimson said. "Big, rangy center, another guy that drives the tempo, and I don't know if there's a person playing this position today that drives the net as well as big No. 93 does. Really, really rangy. A great knack for the net, great distributor, and again, one of those big bodies that just really pushes the tempo." They have him behind Aho (I think Mika's better), Bergeron (Mika's better today), Stamkos (arguable) and then Barkov, Crosby, Drai, Mackinnon, Matthews and McDavid. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 1 hour ago, Pete said: Top 5 C in the East, I can buy. He's a stud. No 2 ways about it. This. Top-Three in the league? No way. Unless McD, MacK, and Matthews have all stopped existing. 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJWantsTheCup Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 I would say somewhere between 7-10 is fair. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangersIn7 Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 The thing with rankings like that is that there’s typically a short list and a particular player’s position on that list is fluid. Id put him on the short list for certain. I can’t put him in front of other guys that are obvious. I would argue that during the 15 game stretch he had in 2020 just before the pandemic, he may have been the best center in hockey for that span. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valriera Posted October 12, 2022 Author Share Posted October 12, 2022 35 minutes ago, Phil said: This. Top-Three in the league? No way. Unless McD, MacK, and Matthews have all stopped existing. McD/MacK sure but I put him right by Mathews. How many of these guys kill penalties? Play as strong a two way game? Matthews can score better than anyone sure but is he really that much better? I don’t know I just don’t see it. croaby I can buy who throughout his career has made lesser players around him better that’s something mika can’t really say so I suppose I put him above Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 Yeah, I'd say Top 10...maybe even a Selke nominee if all goes well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrooksBurner Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 47 minutes ago, Zuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuc said: NHL.com made a top 20 centers list before the season, had Mika at #10. https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-current-players-ranked-top-20-centers/c-335232368 They have him behind Aho (I think Mika's better), Bergeron (Mika's better today), Stamkos (arguable) and then Barkov, Crosby, Drai, Mackinnon, Matthews and McDavid. I think he slots in that Stamkos/Barkov/Crosby conversation. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdog99 Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 Hedve been around 100+ points with buch last season. Now that kakko looks ready to game, he should get there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 31 minutes ago, rmc51 said: I think he slots in that Stamkos/Barkov/Crosby conversation. No, not yet. He's a tier below them. McDavid/Mac/Matthews Drai/Barkov/Crosby, probably Bergeron Then the Aho, Zibanejad, Scheifele, Tavares, Backstrom Kuznetsov range - guys that have all been around a ppg the last few seasons, but are not the top tier guys. Guys like Robert Thomas and Matt Duchene outproduced Zibanejad last season, for comparison. You also have JT Miller, Kadri, Reinhardt, Hintz, Lindholm, and a few others doing the same. Not to mention for Couturiers and O'Reillys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 50 minutes ago, rmc51 said: I think he slots in that Stamkos/Barkov/Crosby conversation. Maybe, yeah. Or right below them. Stamkos and Crosby have championships to separate themselves. I'd say he compares with Barkov favorably, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 (edited) 18 minutes ago, josh said: No, not yet. He's a tier below them. McDavid/Mac/Matthews Drai/Barkov/Crosby, probably Bergeron Then the Aho, Zibanejad, Scheifele, Tavares, Backstrom Kuznetsov range - guys that have all been around a ppg the last few seasons, but are not the top tier guys. Guys like Robert Thomas and Matt Duchene outproduced Zibanejad last season, for comparison. You also have JT Miller, Kadri, Reinhardt, Hintz, Lindholm, and a few others doing the same. Not to mention for Couturiers and O'Reillys. But none of those guys went to the third round of the playoffs and were among the third leading goal scorers. His playoff performance last year really put him on an upward trajectory into the next category. Edited October 12, 2022 by Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangersIn7 Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 11 minutes ago, Phil said: Maybe, yeah. Or right below them. Stamkos and Crosby have championships to separate themselves. I'd say he compares with Barkov favorably, though. He’s got a better 2-way game than Stamkos has ever had. Stamkos is somewhat of a tweener to me too. He’s spent a good deal of time on the wing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJWantsTheCup Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 Zibs defensive ability has to be taken into consideration when ranking him. You can't just go by his offense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Long live the King Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 Technically he is coming off a career year with highs of 52 assists and 81 points. But last night he looked like pre-COVID Zibanejad. Incase you don't remember, pre-COVID Zibanejad had 41 goals and 75 points in 57 games before the season was cut short. He has a shot to be top 5 in goals, points, and Selke voting this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karan Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, Long live the King said: Technically he is coming off a career year with highs of 52 assists and 81 points. But last night he looked like pre-COVID Zibanejad. Incase you don't remember, pre-COVID Zibanejad had 41 goals and 75 points in 57 games before the season was cut short. He has a shot to be top 5 in goals, points, and Selke voting this year. Yeah I'd say post-COVID Zibanejad was a fringe top-10 C in the NHL. But pre-COVID Zibanejad (which he very well could return to this season with 40G+ / 50A+) coupled with his playoff performance and everything he does away from the puck has him tickling the discussion of a top-5 C in the NHL. Edited October 12, 2022 by Karan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdog99 Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 (edited) And thank gd, we wont have to spend half this season trying to accommodate panarin on the left boards, forcing zib to the middle on pp. that was a travesty. Edited October 12, 2022 by Jdog99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Br4d Posted October 13, 2022 Share Posted October 13, 2022 (edited) Zib is a top 5 2-way C and he has been since last season. Does everything very well. Edited October 13, 2022 by Br4d Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdog99 Posted October 13, 2022 Share Posted October 13, 2022 On 10/12/2022 at 11:50 AM, Karan said: Yeah I'd say post-COVID Zibanejad was a fringe top-10 C in the NHL. But pre-COVID Zibanejad (which he very well could return to this season with 40G+ / 50A+) coupled with his playoff performance and everything he does away from the puck has him tickling the discussion of a top-5 C in the NHL. This was the kind of goal we didn't really see from post-Covid Zibanejad, that I hope he can get back to this season: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh Posted October 13, 2022 Share Posted October 13, 2022 2 hours ago, Jdog99 said: This was the kind of goal we didn't really see from post-Covid Zibanejad, that I hope he can get back to this season: Covid? #Quinned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted October 14, 2022 Share Posted October 14, 2022 16 hours ago, Br4d said: Zib is a top 5 2-way C and he has been since last season. Does everything very well. This. Two way players like Zib are a coaches dream. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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