Mike Zibanejad has 27 goals this season: the Maple Leafs could have had him before anyone noticed
Photo credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Having been on the trade block at a low value, It could have been a potential buy-low upside option for the Toronto Maple Leafs had they gone with the option of adding Mika Zibanejad, a possible scenario for last season.
Rumours circulated about Zibanejad being a potential offseason trade option, although nothing concrete ultimately came from it.
Rangers beat writer Arthur Staple speculated that the Leafs were a clear fit for Zibanejad, but noted that it was likely he'd remain in New York, as he indeed did.
They'd [Rangers] still need to find a fit; the Leafs might have some interest and some space to fill. But...so soon after dealing Kreider would produce the impact on cap flexibility and team culture that Drury wants so bad. - Arthur Staple
Leafs had window to get Zibanejad cheap, and didn't take it
Zibanejad has seen himself return to his best self with 27 goals and 61 points in 63 games with the Rangers this season, succeeding despite a challenging season for the team.
Zibanejad would have led the Leafs in points, one ahead of William Nylander, and would lead Auston Matthews by a goal, but would undoubtedly be a key asset for Toronto.
New York, who has been without stars such as goaltender Igor Shesterkin and defenseman Adam Fox, Zibanejad has been the one reliable constant for the Rangers organization.
Mika Zibanejad's price has likely gone up thanks to his performance on a struggling Rangers team, and the Toronto Maple Leafs may wish they had their chance sooner.
The links between Toronto and Zibanejad were at best loose, but had something been able to have been done there, it could have been perhaps the offensive kick Toronto needed.
The 32-year-old has a full no-move clause, and it's unknown if Zibanejad would have waived it for the Leafs. If he had, he easily would have been this season exactly what the Leafs need.
Where does Zibanejad fit in this Leafs lineup
27 goals this season would have been what Toronto is looking for in having more goalscoring in the lineup, and a veteran winger with skill to compliment this roster.
Able to play as a center and a right winger, Zibanejad could have made a highly alluring RW option to replace Mitch Marner, but comes at an obvious cost.
Zibanejad could have filled Marner's spot on the first line at right wing, but could have also have taken over the spot of John Tavares on the second line behind Matthews.
Whether playing at center or at the wing, it's clear that the Toronto Maple Leafs could have used what Zibanejad brings to the table, especially now with Nicolas Roy and Scott Laughton having both been traded, now creating a hole at center.
Zibanejad was what Toronto needed, but at what cost?
Zibanejad's value was evidently lower at the end of last season vs where he is at right now, but for a former PPG forward who is still a top-line player with a no-move, he's gone from potential cap dump to prime asset.
It's possible, however, even then a deal for a top-six forward like Zibanejad could have had the Rangers ask for Easton Cowan or Ben Danford, and for a player who seemed to be heading to regression mode at 31, Toronto likely passes at that price for last season's play.
What isn't known either is if Zibanejad would waive his NMC for Toronto. It was reported earlier last season that Zibanejad was going through a difficult bout of mental health challenges due to criticism.
Whether Zibanejad comes to Toronto with an intense media market, and seeing how the same scenario over handling negativity impacted Mitch Marner, may keep him away.
Few would have guessed the bounceback season of Mika Zibanejad, but it's one that makes any team having considering buying low wish they had.
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Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
MARS 11|727 ANSWERS Mike Zibanejad has 27 goals this season: the Maple Leafs could have had him before anyone noticed Would the Leafs currently be a playoff team if they had traded for Mika Zibanejad? | ||
| Yes | 148 | 20.4 % |
| No | 579 | 79.6 % |
| List of polls | ||