Some players take longer than others to adjust to the NHL, but it seems highly touted 2011 draft pick Mika Zibanejad is just now hitting his stride for the Senators.
Zibanejad, who was taken sixth overall in 2011, registered career highs this season in games (80), goals (20), assists (26) and points (46). This season marked the first time he spent the entirety of the year in the NHL.
"The majority of predictions had Mika finishing around 48-50 points and for the most part he was able to accomplish what people were expecting of him," Buffalo fan website SenShot wrote. "Not only would he improve on his scoring numbers, but he would improve at the face-off dot as well by winning 48.8% of the face-offs he took in comparison to 46.1% last year. For the most part, he was able to accomplish what people were expecting of him.
"Another drastic improvement would be in his defensive game as it was evident that Coach Cameron had pushed the right buttons in [Zibanejad] and had found a way to have him play more responsible in his own zone."
Zibanejad is one of many young players with bright futures for the Senators, so Ottawa fans have plenty of reasons to hope for a strong campaign next year to follow up this year's magical ending.
(h/t SenShot)
Photo by Steve Nesius/AP Photo
