NEWARK, N.J. — Doubt. It can creep in like a vine and tangle the mind of the best of players.
With expectations high this season, Mika Zibanejad admits he has to shear those vines of doubt, learn about bouncing back from struggles, more so mentally than physically. Getting to that mindset, to a good place, is as important to the 24-year-old center as it is to the Rangers.
Acquired last summer when Derick Brassard was sent to Ottawa, Zibanejad, 24, avoided arbitration in July, agreeing to an 11th hour, five-year, $26.75-million contract, with an annual salary cap charge of $5.