The New York Rangers announced that top-line forward and current leading point scorer Mika Zibanejad is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Like all vague day-to-day timescales, it is yet unclear when the 26-year-old will return.
UPDATE: Mika Zibanejad will not return (upper body injury).
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 27, 2019
Not much of an update on Zibanejad. David Quinn said he's "day-to-day," but confirmed it's not a head/concussion injury. Just "upper body."
As for the hit, DQ said, "I didn't really see it. It's for the league to decide."#NYR
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) October 28, 2019
Mika Zibanejad Injured
The incident occurred during Sunday nights defeat at home against the Boston Bruins. Patrice Bergeron placed a heavy backward hit that left Zibanejad reeling during the latter stages of the first period. Although the Swede continued for another shift, he did not return for the rest of the game. Suggesting that this day-to-day is more a precautionary measure.
Regardless, it’s bad timing. Zibanejad’s current hot streak consists of four goals and seven assists for 11 points in only eight games. His possession numbers were 48.8 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of 7.2.
Over his nine-year NHL career, Zibanejad has played for the Ottawa Senators and the New York Rangers. He has 139 goals and 181 assists for 320 career points in 499 career games. He was originally drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the first round, sixth overall in the 2011 NHL draft.
What This Means for the Future
Although initial concerns regarding another concussion seem unwarranted at present. Further information will be released in the next few days.
Either way, it’s not great news for the Rangers. Zibanejad is a vital part of the top forward line, and in truth, currently the only consistent player in the team. Fans cannot expect the rebuild to go perfect but with the players on paper, the rangers should be better. The Rangers have very little center depth with a healthy Zibanejad and have continually made player changes each game. Without the Swedish forward its unclear who has the experience and skillset to take up the responsibility.
Based on that fact, the Rangers hope Zibanejad’s injury is not serious and he will return to the lineup sooner rather than later. Particularly as they play the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday.
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