Mika Zibanejad Set to Celebrate Milestone 1000th NHL Game with Rangers

On Monday night, the New York Rangers will take a moment to celebrate a significant milestone in the career of former Ottawa Senator Mika Zibanejad, as he prepares to lace up his skates for his 1000th NHL game. Drafted sixth overall by the Senators in 2011, Zibanejad has made a remarkable journey in the league, with 718 of his games played in rival colors. He joins Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as the second player from his draft class to reach this impressive milestone, with fellow Swede Adam Larsson set to follow suit shortly.

Despite the Rangers’ struggles this season, sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and nearly out of playoff contention for a second consecutive year, the occasion provides a welcome distraction from the team’s ongoing challenges. Fans and teammates alike will have the opportunity to reflect on Zibanejad’s contributions to the game and his illustrious tenure in New York.

For Senators fans, however, the focus remains on securing two crucial points as their team vies for a playoff spot. Many will inevitably ponder the alternate reality in which Zibanejad never left Ottawa, a thought that has lingered since the trade that sent him to the Rangers in July 2016.

In a move that stirred mixed feelings among fans, then-general manager Pierre Dorion traded Zibanejad to New York for Derick Brassard, along with a 2018 second-round pick and a seventh-round pick. While some fans accepted the deal, questions arose about the necessity of giving up a second-rounder. The following season, the Senators advanced to the Conference Final, with Brassard contributing significantly during the playoffs. At that moment, it seemed Ottawa had made the right call.

However, as the years passed, it became evident that Zibanejad was blossoming into a top-tier player while Brassard’s performance declined. Brassard is now retired, while Zibanejad continues to shine, leading the Rangers this season with 30 goals and 67 points in 69 games.

Initially, Dorion was able to recoup some value from the Brassard trade by moving him to Pittsburgh for goalie Filip Gustavsson. But that redemption fell apart when Gustavsson was traded to Minnesota for veteran goalie Cam Talbot, who has since moved on.

As Zibanejad prepares for his milestone game, his achievements in New York are noteworthy. He holds the franchise record for most career power play goals (122) and is the only active player to lead an original six franchise in this category. Zibanejad has also tied Bill Cook for the most hat tricks in franchise history, recorded a five-goal game that matches the franchise record, and made history with a six-point period, tying an NHL record.

As the Rangers and their fans reflect on Zibanejad’s impact, Senators fans can’t help but acknowledge his contributions while still keeping their eyes on the prize: a win for their own playoff chase.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.