New York Rangers veteran forward Mika Zibanejad will be a healthy scratch for Monday’s game against the visiting Anaheim Ducks after missing a recent team meeting.
Head coach Mike Sullivan said that despite the “logistical challenges” of New York City contributing to Zibanejad’s lateness, everybody needs to be held accountable.
“Mika understands the importance of the rules that we all expect of one another,” explained Sullivan. “He feels terribly. The one thing about Mika is he’s an honest person. He’s a great human being and he takes responsibility for it.”
Mike Sullivan announces that Mika Zibanejad will not play tonight against the Ducks because he missed a team meeting
Sullivan on the decision: “There are logistical challenges that this city presents sometimes…he feels terribly” pic.twitter.com/haeecRXtNc
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) December 15, 2025
The 32-year-old native of Sweden has 11 goals and 14 assists over 33 games with Rangers in 2025-26, his 10th season with the franchise.
Zibanejad is in the fourth season of an eight-year, $68 million contract, featuring an average annual value of $8.5 million.
The Rangers currently sit second last in the Metropolitan Division with a 16-13-4 record.
Sullivan noted Zibanejad will return to the lineup on Tuesday when the Rangers welcome the Vancouver Canucks to Madison Square Garden.