Unconscious Thoughts

Mika Zibanejad was leaning against the door as Chris Kreider spoke, for emotional support, he said. If it sounded like a joke in the moment, it wasn’t.

When Kreider was asked about Zibanejad — his linemate and close friend — he finally broke.

[The New York Post]

This is a kid who’s always on the ice. He’s on with the extra skaters, he comes early before games, sometimes he even skates after games. Sometimes Rod Brind’Amour has to tell him to go home. His work ethic stems from a really tough childhood in Russia. His mom worked two jobs, his dad traveled the country selling bread. Sometimes they didn’t have enough food to eat, so he never takes an opportunity to get on the ice for granted. — Emily Kaplan, ESPN (Round 2, Game 5)

“I’m really happy that I got to come here, play in New York, play for the Rangers, but also get a friend like Chris.” –MIKA ZIBANEJAD