The Rangers are no longer in the running for Jack Eichel
Several rumors in the last few weeks suggested that the Rangers were the main team to acquire Jack Eichel.
According to some analysts, New York had to choose between the Buffalo center and their current center, Mika Zibanejad.
General manager Chris Drury has made his decision and has given the Swedish forward an eight-year contract extension. The 28-year-old center will complete the final year of his current contract this year, earning $5.35 million.
The contract will be worth $8.5 million annually, so Larry Brooks' information was right on target. In 56 games last season, Zibanejad had 50 points, including 26 goals.
Since arriving in New York in 2016, the former Senators man seems to be steadily improving. He collected 51 points in his first season and then in 2018-2019, the Stockholm native amassed an impressive 74 points.
The following year, the former 6th overall pick in the 2011 draft, emerged as a scorer in the NHL. In just 57 games, Zibanejad had 41 goals and 75 points, an average of 1.32 points per game.
Following the announcement of the contract extension, the Rangers released a video of their center who seemed very happy with the news.
One thing is for sure, the New York Rangers will be a contender for top honors very soon. Their core of players consisting of Zibanejad, Panarin, Fox and Lafreniere will definitely be very dangerous for other teams in the Bettman League.
