Talent Analysis

There is a lot to like about Zibanejad’s game: offensive skills, intensity, skating and an impressive attitude. His two-way play is mature for a player his age and he just has an innate feel for many of the more subtle aspects of the game such as face-offs and reading the play along with the physical components required to win puck battles and playing tough but within the rules. The offensive skills are there and it’s a matter of more polish and experience at this point. Ottawa will look for him to keep his poise as he develops into a complete NHL power forward.
Future
Zibanejad made the opening roster of the Ottawa Senators based on a great camp and pre-season. We can expect him to suit up for up to 9 games as an audition before the club likely makes their decision on whether to keep him and use the first year of his NHL contract or return him to Djurgården IF for one more year of seasoning in the SEL.