The New York Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad is stopped on a shot by Ottawa Senators’ goalie Craig Anderson during Game 3 of their second-round playoff series on Tuesday, May 2, 2017.Frank Franklin II/The Associated Press
The New York Rangers have signed centre Mika Zibanejad to a $26.75 million, five-year deal.
Zibanejad will count $5.35 million against the salary cap through 2021-22 as the Rangers count on him to take on a bigger role following the trade of Derek Stepan. General manager Jeff Gorton announced the contract Tuesday morning, before the team and Zibanejad were set to go to arbitration.
The 24-year-old Swede had 14 goals and 23 assists for 37 points in 56 games last season, his first with New York. The Rangers acquired Zibanejad from the Ottawa Senators for Derick Brassard a year ago.
Zibanejad has 188 points in 337 NHL games with the Senators and Rangers since Ottawa drafted him sixth overall in 2011.