Pros & Cons of Rangers Using Zibanejad at Right Wing to Start the Season
The New York Rangers have a lot of questions to answer this season. After a disastrous 2024-25 campaign, everyone will be looking for a fresh start, especially Mika Zibanejad. After a poor start to last season, he ended on a high note after moving to the right wing. He’s expected to stay on the right wing when 2025-26 opens, so here are some pros and cons of playing him at that position.
Pro: Continued Chemistry Growth with J.T. Miller
The reason why Zibanejad was moved to the right wing was that general manager Chris Drury traded to bring J.T. Miller back to New York from the Vancouver Canucks. With Miller at center, the coaching staff decided to move Zibanejad to the wing to see if that pairing could work. This pairing indeed worked extremely well and saved Zibanejad’s season from disaster. Before the Miller trade, he had nine goals and 29 points. In the 32 games after being moved to the wing, he recorded 11 goals and 33 points.
Keeping Zibanejad and Miller together to start the season could be a great way for them to find that chemistry again. Despite their different personalities, they work well together, and they ended last season as two of the team’s best offensive players. If they can replicate that success, we could see some big early wins for the Rangers.
Pro: Rangers’ Top Six Forwards Would Be Loaded With Talent
Keeping Zibanejad on the wing should make the Rangers’ top-six forward group one of the most talented in the league. The first line would see Will Cuylle playing with Miller and Zibanejad (Cuylle did get some chances to play on that line last season, and now that Chris Kreider is no longer on the team, that top-six spot has opened up for Cuylle full-time). He had a great sophomore season, with 20 goals and 45 points. He signed a two-year contract this offseason and will look to build on last season’s success.
The projected second line dominated the league two seasons ago. Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, and Alexis Lafreniere all had career seasons in 2023-24, but last season, did not find the same magic and each took a step back. Maybe playing in a new system and under new head coach Mike Sullivan will help them find that spark. This top six could match up with any top team in the league.
Con: Rangers’ Bottom Six Forwards Group Is Full of Question Marks
The problem with playing Zibanejad on the wing is that it leaves the bottom six with a lot of questions. If Miller, Zibanejad, and Trocheck each center their own line, Juuso Parssinen will then have to be the third-line center, and he hasn’t shown he can be a consistent player, being scratched multiple times after he was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche. Having Zibanejad play on the wing does make room for younger players like Brett Berard, Brennan Othmann, and Gabe Perreault to fight for bottom-six winger spots, but these players are unproven and might not be ready to play full-time in the NHL.
Other players competing for a bottom-six role are Sam Carrick, Matt Rempe, Taylor Raddysh, Adam Edstrom, Johnny Brodzinski, Justin Dowling, and Connor Sheary, who is on a professional tryout. While all of these players have their positives, they just don’t match up well against the league’s powerhouse teams like the Florida Panthers, who had Brad Marchand playing on their bottom six last season.
The Rangers no longer have the depth they had last season when Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko were on the third line. So, if Zibanejad stays on the wing, it will leave some holes on the bottom six.
Zibanejad is at the top of the list of players under pressure to perform in 2025-26. His play has declined over the last two seasons, but if moving him to the wing is the way to get the most out of him at this point in his career, it will have both positive and negative impacts on the Rangers to start this season.
BREAKING: Buffalo Bills DT Ed Oliver Ruled Out for Sunday's Game Against Jets, Injury Update Provided
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver has officially been ruled out for Sunday's game against the New York Jets, head coach Sean McDermott confirmed on Friday. This decision, though disappointing for the Bills, was expected after Oliver was seen wearing a walking boot and missing practice on Thursday due to a left ankle injury. Reports also surfaced that Oliver was relying on a scooter to help him get around following the injury.
"Ed will be out this game. He got stepped on at practice on Wednesday, unfortunately," McDermott said during an appearance on WGR-550 on Friday morning. "We'll see where it goes into next week as far as his status goes."
The injury to Oliver, who was a key contributor in the Bills' 41-40 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, is a significant setback for the team. In that thrilling season opener, Oliver recorded six tackles, a sack, and played a pivotal role in forcing a crucial fumble on Ravens running back Derrick Henry. Oliver's performance was integral to the Bills' defense, helping secure a hard-fought victory in a game that saw both teams battle until the final whistle.
Oliver, 27, was drafted by the Bills as the ninth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Since joining the team, he has established himself as a dominant force on the defensive line, with 28 sacks, nine forced fumbles, and 237 tackles in 93 games (84 starts). His ability to disrupt opposing offenses, particularly with his pass-rushing ability, has made him a cornerstone of Buffalo's defense. The Bills will now be without one of their top defensive playmakers as they face the Jets this weekend.
While McDermott did not provide a specific timeline for Oliver’s return, he made it clear that the team is focused on getting him back to full health. "We'll take it one day at a time," McDermott added. "Our main priority is making sure Ed gets the proper treatment and recovery so that when he’s ready, he can return at 100%."
The loss of Oliver will likely force the Bills to rely more heavily on their other defensive players, including veterans like Von Miller and Matt Milano, who will need to step up in Oliver’s absence. Additionally, Buffalo's defensive line depth will be tested, with players like DaQuan Jones and Tim Settle potentially seeing more playing time in the absence of one of the team's star defensive tackles.
Oliver’s absence also presents a challenge for the Bills as they prepare to face a Jets team that is eager to rebound after a tough loss. With a revamped roster and new additions, the Jets are poised to bring a tough challenge to Buffalo’s defense. However, the Bills have built a strong team that can overcome injuries like this one.
As for Oliver, he remains focused on his recovery. “It’s disappointing to miss this game, but I’m focused on recovering and getting back on the field as soon as possible,” Oliver said. “I’ll take it one day at a time and work hard to get back to full strength.”
The Bills are optimistic that Oliver’s recovery will progress well, and they’re hopeful that he will be back on the field soon, ready to continue his dominant play for the rest of the season. For now, the team must adjust without one of its key defensive pillars as they look to maintain momentum and build on their opening-week win.
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