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New York Times
3 minutes ago
- New York Times
Burning Rangers questions for 2025-26: Should Mika Zibanejad play wing or center?
The bigger questions surrounding Mika Zibanejad's position aren't that different from those in the first installment of this offseason mini-series, which explored whether the Rangers should play Vladislav Gavrikov and Adam Fox together. Does new coach Mike Sullivan want to load up the top of his lineup, at the expense of depth? Or would it be best to balance things out? Advertisement The 32-year-old Zibanejad is coming off a difficult season. His 62 points were his lowest in a full campaign since 2017-18, and his 20 goals were his fewest since 2016-17, his first in New York. Zibanejad has been a force on the power play during his time with the Rangers — he's only eight goals shy of Camille Henry and Chris Kreider for the team record of 116 — but he got demoted to the second unit on multiple occasions in 2024-25. 'I know this wasn't the season that I wanted,' Zibanejad said on locker cleanout day in April. 'That's on me. I have some months here now to make sure I take advantage of and get ready for next season.' Getting Zibanejad back on track is vital for the Rangers, and he showed signs of turning a corner the second half of the season, especially after the Rangers acquired J.T. Miller from Vancouver. The Rangers played Zibanejad on Miller's wing for significant minutes, moving him away from his traditional center slot, and he responded with 11 goals and 33 points in 32 games after the acquisition. 'I thought he played better (on the wing),' said an NHL scout based in the East. 'Obviously when it comes to team needs, having him on a wing may have been a luxury at certain points because center is just so valuable. But I thought him and Miller's chemistry was good. … Once they made that trade for Miller it maybe injected a little bit of life into him.' One Eastern Conference executive said that the Rangers at times looked like 'a completely disengaged team' during the 2024-25 season. But with Miller, he said, 'You're not going to be disengaged with that f—ing guy in your lineup.' Miller and Zibanejad played 259 five-on-five minutes together, according to Natural Stat Trick. The Rangers outscored opponents 14-12 in those minutes and commanded 52.14 percent of the expected goal share. Without each other, both players' expected goal rates dipped below 50 percent after the trade: Miller at 37.98 percent in 166 minutes and Zibanejad at 47.47 percent in 179 minutes. Advertisement Based on last year's results, Zibanejad playing on Miller's wing makes sense — not just to potentially get Zibanejad out of his funk, but also to help Miller, whose numbers dipped away from the Swede. 'It probably gives them their best top six with Zibanejad on the wing for right now,' one Western Conference executive said. 'Having to skate less and have to be less defensively responsible, I feel like that gives (Zibanejad) a little bit more jump where he can focus a little bit more on his game, making plays, creating offense,' the Eastern-based scout added. 'Maybe not having to do as much skating as you do when you're playing center might've been a little bit of a boost for him.' If Sullivan goes that route, he could put Will Cuylle on their line and then keep Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafrenière together. He could also put Panarin with Miller and Zibanejad when in need of offense in late-game situations: the Rangers had 59.91 percent of the expected goal share with that trio on the ice in 62 five-on-five minutes last season. All of that sounds appealing, but it comes with a tradeoff. If those six forwards make up the top two lines, the third line would necessarily have Sam Carrick, Jonny Brodzinski or Juuso Pärssinen at center, likely with Taylor Raddysh and a younger winger — maybe Brett Berard, Gabe Perreault or Brennan Othmann — or perhaps veteran Conor Sheary, who is attending camp on a professional tryout. Barring a big jump from one of the less-experienced players, that does not feel like a contending third line. The alternative would be putting Zibanejad at center and having him, Miller, Trocheck and Carrick up the middle. That's a solid center group but leaves the team lighter on the wing. The best-case scenario for the Rangers is that the 24-year-old Pärssinen, acquired from the Avalanche in the Ryan Lindgren trade last deadline, develops into a capable third-line center. But that's a lot to ask for a player who has never played more than 48 games in an NHL season. He was a frequent healthy scratch under then-coach Peter Laviolette after the deadline, though he had multi-point games in two of the season's final three games. Advertisement '(Playing 3C) has been the expectation of him really probably going into the last two training camps,' the Western Conference exec said of Pärssinen. 'He's sort of been that 4C with 3C upside, and he's only 24. The last two years it was a little bit of a younger age. He's definitely coming into the age now that he's going to want to push himself to be that.' Pärssinen's best stretch of play came with Nashville in 2022-23, his rookie year. He got an extended run centering Filip Forsberg and had 20 points in his final 29 games of the year. That success did not continue when the Predators brought in Andrew Brunette as coach ahead of the next season, leading Nashville to trade him to Colorado in the middle of 2024-25. After 22 games with the Avalanche, he was flipped again. 'He kind of fell off for me,' one NHL scout based in the West said. 'I don't know if he just didn't know his role or what he could be or the skill set he would apply to a game. Seeing him after he got moved around, he wasn't the same player. If they can get back a little bit of what he was, I liked him early in his career in Nashville.' If Sullivan keeps Zibanejad on the wing and wants to give Pärssinen or another 3C option a boost, he could consider moving Cuylle to the third line and playing a high-skill youngster like Perreault in the top six. 'That's all part of the process: trying the different combinations and things,' the Eastern-based scout said. 'They can balance their lineup or they can push all their chips up top and rely on those top guys more.' And Zibanejad is perhaps the player who will most affect whatever Sullivan chooses. (Top photo of Mika Zibanejad: Joel Auerbach / Getty Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Forbes
3 minutes ago
- Forbes
It's Now Or Never For Many Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers' current injury list reads like a copy of James Joyce's 'Ulysses.' In essence, it's long. And while the Packers expect everyone back for their Sept. 7 season opener against Detroit, don't expect to see players like quarterback Jordan Love (hand), safety Xavier McKinney, cornerback Nate Hobbs (knee), and wideouts Jayden Reed (foot), Romeo Doubs (back) and Dontayvion Wicks (calf) again this preseason. That means several others will see their playing time rise as they attempt to win roster spots. 'We're missing a lot of key players that are integral to our success as a football team,' Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. 'It is what it is. It's an opportunity for some other guys. We've definitely had some injuries strike up at some positions where it's made us pretty thin.' The first opportunity comes today, when Green Bay has a joint practice against Indianapolis. Those two teams then meet in an exhibition game Saturday at noon. Here's a look at some of the more intriguing battles with training camp entering the home RECEIVER The Packers' top five figure to be rookie Matthew Golden, Reed, Doubs, Wicks and rookie Savion Williams. Only Golden figures to see the field against the Colts after Williams dropped out of practice Tuesday with an apparent hamstring injury and Doubs left after colliding with safety Evan Williams. Green Bay typically keeps six receivers, meaning veterans Malik Heath and Mecole Hardman, along with unproven Julian Hicks, Isaiah Neyor, Cornelius Johnson, Kawaan Baker and Will Sheppard are battling for one spot. Heath has occupied a roster spot the last two seasons, but has just 25 receptions in that time. Hardman, part of two Super Bowl champion teams in Kansas City, hurt his chances with two poor decisions — and one fumble — on punt returns in Green Bay's preseason opener. The rest of the group has one week left to turn heads. 'We're down a couple guys, but that next man up,' said Hicks, who spent last season on the practice squad. 'Guys got to step up and make plays and be ready to go. I'm just trying to continue to do my job and whatever they need me to do, I'm going to do it.' Added Neyor, who was signed last week: 'I just want to show them that I can make plays, anything that the team needs me to do, whether it's blocking, whether it's going on special teams, whether it's making big catches. Whatever it is, I want to be able to provide that for the team.'CORNERBACK Hobbs had surgery to repair a partial meniscus tear in his right knee earlier this month. That left Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine as the only proven corners on the roster. Kalen King, a 2024 seventh round draft pick who spent last season on the practice squad, played well in the preseason opener and seems positioned to make the 53-man roster. 'I think you see Year 2 there's a lot of growth,' Packers' passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley said of King. 'Physically for one and mentally he's done a really good job of learning outside corner and inside nickel and being able to do those jobs at a pretty good level right now.' Converted cornerback Bo Melton has enjoyed a solid camp, and could win a roster spot with a big finish. Others such as veteran Corey Ballentine, 2025 seventh round draft pick Micah Robinson, Kamal Hadden and Johnathan Baldwin hope to make a move with additional playing time. With depth here thin, don't be surprised if Green Bay trades for an additional corner before final rosters are set on Aug. BACK Pro Bowler Josh Jacobs played one snap in the preseason opener and will remain in bubble wrap. Oft-injured MarShawn Lloyd returned to practice this week, and if healthy, will be a big part of the Packers' rushing attack. 'I haven't played football in – it's been a minute since I played football, pretty much since college really,' Lloyd said Tuesday. 'I'm excited to play against another team. Just have fun and showcase what I can do. I'm excited.' Green Bay almost always keeps three running backs, meaning that final spot would come down to Emanuel Wilson, Chris Brooks and perhaps wildcard Israel Abanikanda. Wilson ran for 502 yards and had five total touchdowns as Green Bay's No. 2 back in 2024. Brooks was signed early last season, and is solid in almost every facet. Abanikanda, a fifth round pick in 2023 by San Francisco, has had a decent camp. Green Bay could keep four running backs, but history says it will be three — meaning tough cuts TACKLE Incumbent Rasheed Walker and challenger Jordan Morgan are battling for the starting job. No matter what happens, both will be on the roster — unless Walker is traded. But the final days of training camp will decide who wins the starting job. Walker returned to practice this week from a groin injury. By now, though, the Packers know who he is. In the last two seasons, Walker has made 35 starts (including playoffs) and more than held his own protecting Jordan Love's blindside. 'I mean, I started 35 games. I don't think I have to say anything else,' Walker said earlier in camp. 'I've started 35 games at left tackle. Played left tackle. And field goal. So it's just like, that's all, whatever. Nothing really else to say. I'm a starter. I've started 35 games. I've started pretty much every game the last two years.' The Packers are giving Morgan — their first round draft pick in 2024 — every chance to win the job, though. With Walker sidelined, Morgan started the preseason opener and played well. Morgan is the better athlete and could win the job with big performances against Indianapolis and Seattle next week. 'I thought he did a nice job,' LaFleur said of Morgan's performance in the preseason opener. 'I thought there was a lot of good things to build upon and it was a solid performance.'
Forbes
3 minutes ago
- Forbes
Why The Chiefs Participated In ‘The Kingdom' Documentary
After the Kansas City Chiefs won their second consecutive Super Bowl, a plethora of production studios reached out to chronicle their attempt at chasing history by winning a third straight. Apple, Ryan Reynolds' Maximum Effort and LeBron James' SpringHill Company were among the companies to contact owner Clark Hunt, head coach Andy Reid, president Mark Donovan, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce. 'We were overwhelmed by the demand,' Donovan exclusively shared. The demand was obviously there, but why would the Chiefs want the intrusiveness of extra cameras and the potential extra scrutiny that brings as they sought a three-peat to cap the 2024 season? 'It's another effort to continue to grow the brand,' Donovan said. 'We're a worldwide fanbase.' It's sounds business rationale, and the Chiefs will further market their global brand through 'The Kingdom,' the six-episode docuseries, which drops Thursday. All six episodes will premiere on ESPN+ and Disney+, and ESPN will broadcast two episodes on Aug. 14, Aug. 19 and Aug. 20, respectively. Although the Chiefs wanted to further broaden their exposure, they weren't interested in a straight-up, behind-the-scenes chronicling of the 2024 season. Instead they wanted something that would track the season while also charting the history of the Chiefs, which began with owner/founder Lamar Hunt, a forefather of the AFL who coined the term 'Super Bowl.' 'It does an amazing job of following both of those paths,' Donovan said. 'That's what I'm really excited about.' Choosing a Production Company With so many studio options, the Chiefs went with Words + Pictures — the production studio run by many of the creators and producers of The Last Dance, the popular documentary on Michael Jordan's sixth championship with the Chicago Bulls — in conjunction with ESPN, Skydance Sports, NFL Films, 2PM Productions and the Chiefs' in-house Foolish Club Studios. Words + Pictures founder Connor Schell was not only an executive producer on The Last Dance and ESPN's 30 for 30 series, but the 1995 graduate of Pembroke Hill School in Kansas City, Mo., also grew up rooting for the Chiefs. 'He's an authentic, passionate Chiefs fan,' Donovan said. 'His knowledge of the (Chiefs) history was a huge advantage.' Reid and Mahomes' Reaction The project didn't end up being disruptive, though Reid was a bit reticent, joking that he only participated because his boss (Lamar's son, Clark Hunt) told him to do so. 'They did a really good job of not being a distraction,' Reid said. 'I worry about that, and (it's) one reason I don't like doing those things.' Mahomes didn't have to go out of his way to ask the videographers to cut certain items, though he did ask them to keep certain code words out of it for game-planning reasons. After watching some of The Kingdom, the three-time Super Bowl MVP, who is in his ninth year with the franchise, actually learned new things about the Chiefs' origins. 'I saw stuff that I didn't even know. I thought I knew everything about the Kansas City Chiefs,' Mahomes said. 'It's a great documentary.' Although the documentary might have been more noteworthy if the Chiefs had matched the Bulls by winning three straight championships, they still accomplished NFL history. 'We did by being the first team ever to be in three straight (Super Bowls),' Donovan said, 'with a chance to a win the third in a row.'
