As the New York Rangers head into a pivotal offseason, Mika Zibanejad rumors have begun heating up. According to longtime insider Larry Brooks of the New York Post, there’s a very real chance that General Manager Chris Drury will ask Zibanejad to waive his no-movement clause, which extends through the 2029-30 season.
The Rangers are looking to retool their roster and shed salary, and Zibanejad’s $8.5 million average annual value makes him a primary candidate despite his importance to the team.
Rangers Exploring Options to Move Mika Zibanejad and Reshape Roster
Zibanejad, 31, is still an elite offensive player with strong leadership qualities. However, the business side of hockey is taking center stage. He carries a full no-movement clause, which means Drury can’t trade him without his approval. If that waiver request is made, the Rangers can’t afford to let the situation fester into training camp — it must be resolved in the offseason.
According to several sources, including whispers around a potential J.T. Miller deal with the Vancouver Canucks earlier this year, Zibanejad may have already declined to waive his NMC. That decision, if true, shows he is loyal to New York. But this summer might be different.
My Take: Zibanejad Could Be the Centerpiece of a Franchise-Defining Move
If Zibanejad feels unwanted or sees the writing on the wall, he could agree to a trade — especially if it lands him on a contender. On the flip side, if he digs in and refuses to move, the Rangers may find themselves in a difficult situation, unable to reshape their cap structure.
Trading Zibanejad wouldn’t just be about salary cap maneuvering — it would signal a shift in the core leadership and identity of the team. This could be a summer where the Rangers go bold, and Zibanejad’s future might be the first domino to fall.
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