The Trade That Helped Reshape Modern Rangers Team

Today marks the eight-year anniversary since the Rangers traded for Mika Zibanejad.

Eight years ago today, the New York Rangers made a move that would change the direction of the team.

On July 18, 2016, the Rangers traded Derick Brassard and a 2018 seventh round pick in exchange for Mika Zibanejad and a 2018 second round pick.

The Rangers hit the jackpot with this trade.

While Zibanejad showed flashes of his potential through his five seasons with the Senators, it was in New York where he truly broke out into a star.

Zibanejad hit the 30-goal mark in his third season with the Rangers and in his fourth year he reached the 40-goal plateau.

The Swedish phenom instantly became a fan favorite in The Big Apple and within a few years he was widely considered as one of the Rangers’ top forwards.

Eight years following this trade, Zibanejad has recorded 230 goals, 297 assists and 527 points as a member of the Rangers.

To put things into perspective, he ranks fourth among all Rangers centers in both points and goals.

Meanwhile, Brassard was traded by the Senators to the Pittsburgh Penguins during his second season in Ottawa.

Zibanejad still plays a valuable top-six forward role for the Rangers, so it’s safe to say the deal New York made in 2016 is paying dividends years later.