Recent reports suggest Rangers' latest tactics with Mika Zibanejad may force him to request a trade

The New York Rangers have given Mika Zibanejada decreased workload. He's played only 13:04 TOI, the lowest in his career with the Rangers, since 2019. Coach Peter Laviolette and the team are trying to light a fire under Zibanejad, and we wonder if it's possible.

Zibanejad currently has 21 points (6G, 15A) in 30 games this season. While this may not seem like a regression, as he's on pace to score 57 this season.

It is a steep decline from last season which saw him post 72 points in 81 games. This year, the team has seen a decline in energy and play on ice from the Rangers center.

With the full picture painted for the Rangers forward, you have to wonder what's the next move for Zibanejad, who has a full no-movement clause for the rest of his contract.

With the team cutting his minutes, significantly the goal is perfectly clear.

According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman (via The Hockey News), they're attempting to make him feel uncomfortable.

"Zibanejad has a full no move," Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts Podcast. 'You always look at this, any player could get benched or move down the lineup at any time, but these 13 minutes on Sunday night, the question is is this a one off or is this real? Is this the Rangers trying to make Zibanejad uncomfortable?

"Is that a thing now? Is that a one off until he plays better or is that the Rangers trying to make him uncomfortable to see if in any way shape or form he either A starts to play better because ultimately that's what everybody wants, or does it get to a point where he says if this is the way it's going to be I'd rather go somewhere else? They did what they had to do with Trouba, not everybody liked it, but they did it. They did what they had to do with Goodrow and people didn't like it, but they did it."

The team has lost 10 of their last 13 games, and it's caused GM Chris Drury to look at shaking things up in the Rangers lineup.

The team's recently moved Jacob Trouba, while Chris Kreider and Kaapo Kakko's name are the next on the trade list depending upon who you talk to.

With the Rangers trying different methods in order to wake Zibanejad up, it doesn't seem likely they'll end up moving him anytime soon.

Other trade pieces for the team could be defenseman Ryan Lindgren before Zibanejad is ever moved.

The Rangers are now fifth in the Metropolitan Division with a 15-14-1 record, a shell of the team that won the President's Trophy in 2023-24.