The New York Rangers won the Presidents' Trophy for having the best record in the NHL this season, finishing atop the overall standings with 114 points. However, their Stanley Cup dreams were dashed when they were eliminated from the Eastern Conference Final in six games by the Florida Panthers.

That disappointing finish sparked media speculation about possible offseason roster changes. During his season-ending press conference, general manager Chris Drury indicated "Nothing's off the table".

Larry Brooks of the New York Post believes the Rangers have gone as far as they can with their current roster core. He felt management faced "tough decisions" with defenseman Jacob Trouba and forwards Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad after they struggled during this postseason.

Zibanejad carries an average annual value of $8.5 million over the remaining six years of his contract and a full no-movement clause. Brooks admitted approaching the 31-year-old center about accepting a trade wouldn't be a pleasant conversation. He isn't sure how it would affect the team's dynamic if Zibanejad refused to go.

Trading Zibanejad would be a bold step by Drury. If such a move were possible, the Rangers' GM would likely want a return containing a big, physical player as the centerpiece. Failing that, he could accept a return of draft picks and prospects to use as trade bait to acquire such a player or use the cap savings to add more physicality via the free-agent market.

Because of his no-movement clause, Zibanejad has full control over this situation. If he refuses to waive it, Drury must consider other trade options. Given the difficulties involved, he'll likely return with the Rangers next season.

Assuming Zibanejad would accept a trade, which clubs might he be willing to join? The following is a list of our four best guesses and one certainty that we'll save for the end, though it likely won't come as a surprise.

Do you agree or disagree with our listing? Let us know what you think in our app comments section.

Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins have lacked a true first-line center since Patrice Bergeron retired last summer. They made do this season with Charlie Coyle filling that role but are expected to be in the market for a center this summer.

Mika Zibanejad would be just what they're looking for. He's not a great two-way center like Bergeron was. Nobody is. Nevertheless, with all due respect to Coyle, Zibanejad has the skills and experience to fill the first-line center role for the Bruins.

Zibanejad could end up skating alongside pesky Bruins captain Brad Marchand on their first line. A better combination, however, could be moving high-scoring David Pastrňák as his full-time winger on the top line. They could have serious offensive chemistry that could be difficult for opponents to contain.

Salary cap constraints prevented the Bruins from finding suitable replacements for Bergeron and fellow retiree David Krejčí last summer. It's a different story now as they carry $23.9 million in cap space with 15 active roster players under contract for next season. They could get an additional $5 million in cap space by trading goalie Linus Ullmark.

The Bruins could use Ullmark as a trade chip to add a physical forward or defenseman that could be included in a package deal for Zibanejad. They could include their 2025 or 2026 first-round pick in the package and one or two prospects or a promising youngster like John Beecher or Matthew Poitras.

Carolina Hurricanes

Change is in the wind with the Carolina Hurricanes. Don Waddell recently resigned as general manager and moved on to the Columbus Blue Jackets, replaced by Eric Tulsky. Trade rumors have dogged restricted free agent winger Martin Nečas while notable players like Jake Guentzel, Brett Pesce, and Brady Skjei could depart as unrestricted free agents.

The Hurricanes could shake things up this summer. Despite being among the top teams in the league over the past three seasons, they've been twice eliminated from the second round and were swept from the 2023 Eastern Conference Final by the Florida Panthers.

Sebastian Aho fills the Hurricanes' first-line center position. However, they need a skilled center to fill their second-line role. Zibanejad would certainly address that issue for them.

If the Hurricanes decide not to trade Necas he would be a good fit alongside Zibanejad on his right wing. They could also pair him with rising young start Seth Jarvis.

The Hurricanes have all their picks in this year's draft plus two sixth-rounders to use as trade bait. They could also offer a prospect like Bradly Nadeau or Scott Morrow in the deal. Nečas would also make a good trade chip as he's seeking a center role where he can play top-line minutes.

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets have lacked a true No.1 center for years. Boone Jenner and Adam Fantilli are currently their top two centers but aren't in the same class as Zibanejad. They've also experimented with Patrik Laine at center but he's a natural winger.

Jenner is a big, hardworking, physical forward who can play center or wing but lacks Zibanejad's offensive skills. He's best suited for second-line duty. Fantilli has the potential to blossom one day into a first-line center but the 19-year-old is not yet ready for that responsibility at the NHL level.

Zibanejad would be a terrific fit for the rebuilding Jackets. He'd slot in immediately on the top line between Johnny Gaudreau and Laine, assuming they don't trade away the latter. His presence would give those two scoring wingers the skillful offense producer they've been missing since their respective arrivals in Columbus.

An opportunity to play with Gaudreau and Laine could be enticing for Zibanejad. It's also worth noting former Rangers president John Davidson is now in a senior advisory role with the Blue Jackets and could perhaps play a part in convincing Zibanejad to come to Columbus.

The Rangers could prefer getting Jenner back as part of the deal but the Jackets could be unwilling to move their captain. They could offer up gritty blueliner Erik Gudbranson in a package that includes their 2024 first-round pick and one or two promising prospects. The Jackets could also offer up Laine in a package for Zibanejad.

Vegas Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights have a well-deserved reputation for making big, splashy trades. Core players such as Jack Eichel, Tomas Hertl, Noah Hanifin, and team captain Mark Stone were all acquired via trades.

It wouldn't be surprising if the Golden Knights looked into trading for Mika Zibanejad if the Rangers made him available in the trade market. With Chandler Stephenson expected to depart as a free agent on July 1, they require skilled depth at center.

Eichel already fills the first-line center role with the Golden Knights. Zibanejad would be filling the second-line center role, but he could have Stone or Hertl as his linemates. The decline in his production this year to 72 points from last season's career-high of 91 suggests he might be better suited now for a second-line role.

Las Vegas has become a popular destination for NHL players. The Golden Knights have made the playoffs every year but one since their inaugural campaign in 2017-18. Ownership and management are determined to do whatever they can to pursue the Stanley Cup. That could make them a tempting landing spot for Zibanejad.

The Golden Knights don't have much draft capital to offer the Rangers for Zibanejad other than their 2024 first-round pick. However, puck-moving defenseman Shea Theodore could be a trade chip given his UFA status at the end of next season. He wouldn't fill the Rangers' need for grit but perhaps they could flip him to another club for a more physical player.

The Reality: Staying with the New York Rangers

The rest of our list is in alphabetical order but we're closing with the New York Rangers because Zibanejad isn't going anywhere. As noted in our intro slide, his full no-movement clause gives him complete control over this situation.

Zibanejad loves living and playing in New York City. He's spent the last eight seasons with the Rangers, playing a key role in their rise from a rebuilding club into a league powerhouse and Presidents' Trophy winner. He has blossomed into a scorer with the Blueshirts. Why would he want to accept a trade?

Despite the Rangers' disappointing finish to this year's playoff run, they will enter next season among the Stanley Cup contenders. Trading away their first-line center risks upsetting their offensive chemistry, potentially hurting winger Chris Kreider's production, assuming Drury doesn't attempt to move him too.

Even if Zibanejad agreed to accept a trade, there's no one they can acquire in the trade and free-agent markets to replace him as their first-line center. Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos and Florida's Sam Reinhart are potential UFAs. They're listed as centers but haven't been employed in that position for several years. They'd also cost far more than Zibanejad to sign.

It's fun to kick back and speculate over possible trade destinations for Zibanejad and dream up hypothetical trades. Nevertheless, we don't see him being asked to accept a trade or even agreeing to do so if approached by management.

Salary info via PuckPedia. Line combinations via Cap Friendly.