A high draft pick in 2011, Mika Zibanejad who has played this season for Binghamton Senators (AHL) and the Ottawa Senators (NHL) is beginning to live up to the promise that gotten him taken 6th overall.
In 2011, Zibanejad signed a three-year entry level contract with the Ottawa Senators. He put his skills on display throughout training camp and was even on the starting roster for the 2011-2012 season. He would record his first NHL point, an assist, during his first NHL game (a loss to the Detroit Red Wings). That was the only point he recorded, before being sent back to Sweden to play in the Elitserien.
In his second year, he would spend the entire season in North America. Due to the lockout he started out in Binghamton in the AHL, and in 23 games picked up four goals and seven assists. When the lockout was over, he would make the jump to the big leagues and ended up playing forty-two games for the Ottawa Senators, recording seven goals and thirteen assists. Zibanejad’s first goal was a power-play marker scored on Peter Budaj of the Montreal Canadiens.
After a solid first season, many assumed Zibanejad was sure to build on it this season. However, things did not go well at Senators training camp. After a rough camp and pre-season, Zibanejad was sent down to the AHL. He would play very well in Binghamton, and when the Senators got hit with injuries this season he was called back to Ottawa. During the last 25 games, Zibanejad has recorded eight goals and five assists.
One must remember that Zibanejad is just 20-years old. It is pretty rare to see such a young player succeed as quickly as he has at the NHL level. One can see his clear talent, and he should only improve as he becomes more mature, and continues to get top notch coaching at the NHL level. Zibanejad is well on his way to becoming a core player for Ottawa.
Zibanead must continue his production, especially his goal scoring in an attempt to help lift the Senators out of their current slump. In the team’s first 33 games, they are 13-14-6 which is good for only thirty-two points. As of right now the Senators are not in a play-off spot, but they are not far off sitting three points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for the last playoff spot in the East.
While many have questioned whether the Ottawa Senators could make the play-offs after their slow start, we must remember that it is not even the half-way mark of the NHL season. As the race in the East continues to tighten, it would be foolish to consider the Senators season as a lost cause, they can still put a run together and get into the playoffs, but will need to rely on their core to do so. Zibanejad is quickly becoming part of that core and has proven worthy of his spot in the lineup. If he continues his current level of play, it is highly unlikely he’ll spend any more time in Binghamton.
Senators fans should be excited about how this young budding star will grow with time.
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