Rangers bench Mika Zibanejad after missing team meeting
The reunion between Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad on Madison Square Garden ice will have to wait. Zibanejad will not suit up against the Ducks on Monday night after he missed a morning team meeting, Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan disclosed following the morning skate in Tarrytown.
“Mika and I spoke about it,” Sullivan explained. “There are logistical challenges this city can present at times, but Mika understands the importance of the rules we all rely on. He feels terrible about this. Mika is an honest person and a strong leader who takes responsibility for his actions. It’s certainly not something we wanted to happen.”
Sullivan added that the team’s process remains essential and that everyone must understand the expectations. He emphasized that Mika, as a team leader, recognizes these standards.
Coincidentally, the timing matches Kreider’s first game against his former team since being traded to Anaheim in the offseason. That reunion won’t involve Kreider facing his close friend and best man at his wedding.
As a result, New York will be missing one of its top forwards as they face the Pacific Division’s No. 2-ranked club.
Zibanejad had played in all 33 games up to this point, leading the Rangers with 11 goals and 14 assists. Since the 2020-21 season’s shortened 56-game run, he had missed only two games in each of the following four seasons.
With Zibanejad out, the Rangers recalled Matt Rempe from long-term injured reserve. Sullivan labeled Rempe a game-time decision, but all indications point to the 6-foot-9 forward rejoining the lineup after he sustained a hand injury on Oct. 23.
