Mike Zibanejad has just spoken out on losing his best friend over the offseason as the New York Rangers dealt him in a trade to the Anaheim Ducks.![Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider]()
Back in June the New York Rangers made the decision to trade their longest-tenured player, Chris Kreider, to the Anaheim Ducks after months of speculation hinting that a trade was in the works. Something that many fans and even players weren't a fan of.
One of those players being Mika Zibanejad, who was a very close friend of Kreider's during his time in New York, and now the veteran forward has expressed his true feelings regarding the trade.
Mika Zibanejad Opens Up On Chris Kreider Being Traded This Offseason
According to Peter Baugh of The Athletic, Zibanejad was in good spirits after his first skate of camp without Kreider, but went on to explain that it has been an adjustment:
"It felt like it was coming. It wasn't out of the blue. I'm not going to stand here and lie and say it's part of the business. Obviously it was tough. It's an adjustment. As a human being I'm not going to bury any of those feelings away. I just accept it. It's my longest linemate, longest teammate l've had in my career. It's one of my best friends. It's weird not to see him come through these doors. For the first few weeks I'm waiting for him to come, but I'm happy as long as he's happy. Just because we're not teammates anymore doesn't mean we're not friends."
Zibanejad and Kreider will always be close no matter the situation, and Mika's wife, Irma Helin Zibanejad made sure to make that clear whenever Kreider was traded.
In one of the photos she shared a messages stating:
"In the future, I will show Ella highlights of uncle Chris and daddy to teach her about chemistry and true feelings, and tell her to never settle for less..
The Kreider's... You are home forever. Friends for life. Family for a lifetime."
The Kreider's... You are home forever. Friends for life. Family for a lifetime."
Truly an unbreakable bond these two have. However, hopefully Mika can set that aside and focus on bring his "A Game" to every match this upcoming season and help the Rangers return to their playoff form.
