Mika Zibanejad's Time With the Rangers May Be Coming to an End After Unexpected $13 Million Decision

Heading into this past season, the New York Rangers were seen as a genuine Stanley Cup threat in the Eastern Conference, but with drama and struggles both on and off the ice, this team missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs all together.

They already traded Filip Chytil, Ryan Lindgren, Jacob Trouba, Kaapo Kakko and others, and now, after their disappointing finish to the season, the expectation is that they will move some other players out as well.

Two names that have been on the chopping block are veterans Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad, and now, a surprise move from the latter has suggested that he may know his future lies beyond the Big Apple.

According to reports, Zibanejad recently sold his West Village townhouse for $13 million, and while this may simply be him moving within New York, given how unhappy he appeared and how frustrated the team were with him, it's hard not to read between the lines here.

While the goals (20) and points (62) over 82 games don't look too bad for No. 93, the one number that stands out in his situation this year was the -22 differential, and with many attacks on his defensive and overall effort, it's safe to say that the Rangers will explore a trade if they can.

With $8.5 million a season owed to him for the next five years, it's tough to see a team taking him on unless they are being given a massive sweetener or the Rangers retain salary throughout the remainder of the contract, so while a trade early in the off-season is highly unlikely, don't be shocked to see talks heat up in the coming months.