The New York Rangers have had a busy and important week. Several key players are in the news, and big decisions are coming up that could affect the team’s future. Mika Zibanejad was injured during international play but kept going. Brett Berard had to miss the World Championship altogether. At the same time, the team has to decide what to do with their No. 12 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Since they don’t have many young centers in their system, this pick could be very important.

Here’s a full look at everything going on with the Rangers this week.

Zibanejad Takes High Stick to Mouth in Sweden’s Game Against Finland

On Monday, during a World Championship game in Stockholm, Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad was struck in the mouth by a high stick. He was playing for the host country, Sweden, against Finland. The incident happened early in the second period, behind Finland’s net.

Finland’s defenseman Nikolas Matinpalo reached out to stop Zibanejad, whose speed took him deep into the zone. As Matinpalo reached, his stick rose and hit Zibanejad squarely in the mouth. Zibanejad fell to the ice, bleeding. Despite the clear contact, officials did not call a penalty.

There was already a double-minor high-sticking call earlier in the game against Finland, which may explain the officials’ hesitation. Still, the non-call surprised Zibanejad and others. As he skated to the bench, he spat out blood and rinsed his mouth with water.

Even after the hit, Zibanejad returned to the game and played 19 minutes and 41 seconds. He did not score, ending his streak in the tournament. Before this, he had scored one goal in Sweden’s 5-0 win over Slovakia, and two more in a 4-2 win over Austria, including the late game-winner.

In the same game, his Rangers teammate Juuso Parssinen played for Finland. Parssinen had been key in Finland’s previous games, scoring both of their game-winning goals, including an overtime winner against France. But on Monday, he struggled. He lost 13 of 14 face-offs and didn’t get a single shot on goal in over 15 minutes of ice time.

Sweden held on for a 2-1 win, improving to 3-0 in the tournament.

Brett Berard Pulls Out of Team USA With Injury, But Will Train

While Zibanejad returned from injury, Brett Berard did not get a chance to play at all. The 22-year-old winger was expected to play for the United States at the World Championship. However, he missed the first three games, including a 3-0 loss to Switzerland on Monday. It is now confirmed that he will not play in the tournament.

According to a report by Mollie Walker of the New York Post, Berard pulled out due to “physical limitations.” No further details were given, but it is not considered a serious injury. A source told Walker that Berard is still expected to train this offseason and be ready for training camp.

Berard had said during the Rangers’ break-up day that he planned to return to the tristate area in early June. He is expected to train with teammates Chris Kreider, Matt Rempe, and Jonathan Quick at Prentiss Hockey Performance in Connecticut.

In his rookie season with the Rangers, Berard played 35 games. He scored six goals and added four assists for 10 points, playing mostly in the bottom six and averaged 10 minutes and 43 seconds per game. His top moments included two goals against the Islanders on April 10 and two assists against the Blackhawks on January 5.

Rangers Need Centers and Must Choose Carefully With No. 12 Pick

Looking beyond injuries, the Rangers must now focus on the 2025 NHL Draft. They hold the No. 12 overall pick, but it is a conditional selection. The team has until 48 hours before the draft, which starts on June 27, to decide whether to keep the pick or send it to the Pittsburgh Penguins. This condition is tied to a set of trades involving Vancouver and Pittsburgh.

If the Rangers keep the pick, they are expected to draft a center. Right now, their NHL roster includes centers Mika Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck, J.T. Miller, and Sam Carrick. Juuso Parssinen and Jonny Brodzinski are also in the mix. While that may sound like depth, all but Parssinen are over 30. Parssinen, at 24, likely tops out as a third-line center.

The Rangers’ prospect system lacks strong center talent. As of January, The Athletic ranked their pool 19th in the NHL. The top forward prospects—Gabe Perreault, Brennan Othmann, and Brett Berard—are all wingers.

There are only a few center prospects in the system. Noah Laba is the best of the group. Drafted in the fourth round in 2022, he played three seasons at Colorado College. In 2023-24, he scored 20 goals and 37 points. This past season, he led the team in goals again despite being slowed by injury.

Laba signed with the Rangers this spring and joined the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack on a tryout. In 11 games, he scored three goals and five points. He is considered a solid two-way player who could become a third-line center and penalty killer.

Besides Laba, there are a few promising centers. Dylan Roobroeck, who is 6-foot-7, led Hartford with 20 goals this season but is seen as a long-term project. Other big forwards like Matt Rempe and Adam Edstrom also project as bottom-six players.

If the Rangers do use the No. 12 pick, there are several centers who may be available. James Hagens (Boston College) and Michael Misa (Saginaw) are likely to be selected earlier. But Jack Nesbitt (Windsor), Brady Martin (Sault Ste. Marie), and Roger McQueen (Brandon) could be in play.

Nesbitt is 6-foot-4 and plays a strong physical game with skill. Martin scored 72 points this season. McQueen, at 6-foot-5, missed most of the year with a back injury but has plenty of upside.

The Rangers could also try to move up in the draft or package the pick in a trade for an NHL-ready young center. Defenseman Zac Jones is one player whose name has come up as part of a possible package.

Erik Gustafsson Looks Back at Time With Rangers After Injury

As the Rangers look ahead, one former player is reflecting on his time in New York. Defenseman Erik Gustafsson, who played 76 games for the Rangers in the 2023–24 season, signed with the Detroit Red Wings after the season. He recorded six goals and 25 assists for 31 points during his time in New York.

This season, Gustafsson’s year ended early due to a broken foot suffered four weeks before the regular season ended. He had hoped to return for the final games but wasn’t able to recover in time.

Now playing for Sweden at the World Championship, Gustafsson shared his thoughts on New York.

“It’s a hell of a city,” he said. “Always fun to play in The Garden. Obviously, we had a great team, great run. Unfortunately, it ended in the Conference Final, but I have good memories from there. We loved where we lived up in Greenwich, Connecticut. I really loved the time I played there.”

Gustafsson is fully healthy now and joins Zibanejad on Team Sweden.

The Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees faced off at T-Mobile Park in Seattle from May 12 through May 14, 2025. The three-game series came at a time when both teams were dealing with numerous injuries to key players. While both clubs had similar win-loss records entering the series—Seattle at 22–17 and New York at 23–17—the real focus was on how each team could cope with missing talent and make adjustments.

The series featured scheduled matchups between Bryan Woo and Max Fried in Game 1, followed by Luis Castillo and Will Warren in Game 2. Each game was aired on MLB Network, ROOT Sports NW, and the YES Network.

Mariners Dealt With Missing Starters But Found Stability

Seattle entered the series without several important players. Luke Raley, on the 10-day injured list due to a side issue, had been batting .206 with 2 home runs and 8 RBIs this season. His absence limited Seattle’s left-handed hitting options. More importantly, the Mariners were without Logan Gilbert, who was on the 15-day IL with a forearm injury. Before the injury, Gilbert had posted a 2.37 ERA and 13.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

George Kirby remained sidelined as well. The starting pitcher had not yet made an appearance this season due to a shoulder injury. Gregory Santos was also on the 60-day IL with a knee problem. He had allowed a 5.14 ERA in earlier appearances and recorded no strikeouts across those outings.

Trent Thornton missed the series while on the 15-day IL due to a stomach injury. Jackson Kowar, Ryan Bliss, and Victor Robles were all on the 60-day IL with injuries ranging from elbow and biceps issues to a shoulder problem. Robles had been hitting .273 in limited action before going down.

Yankees Entered Series in Deeper Health Crisis

The Yankees were missing even more players during the series. DJ LeMahieu remained on the 10-day IL with a calf injury. Jazz Chisholm Jr. also missed the entire series due to a side injury; he had hit 7 home runs and driven in 17 RBIs before landing on the IL. Marcus Stroman was unavailable, having suffered a setback in his rehab from a knee injury.

Before going on the IL, Stroman pitched 9.1 innings and allowed 12 earned runs across three starts, leading to an ERA of 11.57. The right-hander’s injury has contractual implications. Under the terms of his two-year, $37 million deal, Stroman would earn an $18 million player option for 2026 only if he pitched at least 140 innings in 2025. With the new setback, that milestone now appears out of reach.

Gerrit Cole was still out due to an elbow injury and remained on the 60-day IL. He is not expected to start throwing until August. Luis Gil, also on the 60-day IL, was recovering from a back injury and was not available during the series. Giancarlo Stanton stayed on the injured list with an elbow injury as well, and his return was not scheduled before May 24.

Additional Yankees on the IL during the series included Clayton Beeter (shoulder), Jonathan Loáisiga (elbow), Scott Effross (hamstring), Jake Cousins (elbow), and JT Brubaker (ribs). Several other minor-league options like Spencer Jones, Brennen Davis, and Jayvien Sandridge were not activated or available during this stretch.

Team Performance and Statistical Comparison Leading Into the Series

In the 10 games leading up to the Seattle series, both the Yankees and Mariners had records of 5–5. The Yankees’ offense had been more productive, especially with power. They had hit 19 home runs in that span compared to the Mariners’ 9. New York’s slugging percentage was .481, while Seattle’s was lower at .386.

Seattle had a higher team batting average at .259 compared to New York’s .246, but the Yankees had a better on-base percentage at .336. Seattle’s OBP was .319.

On the pitching side, the Yankees had a stronger ERA at 3.84 versus Seattle’s 4.69. Opposing batters hit just .238 against the Yankees, while Mariners pitchers allowed a .278 opponent batting average. The Yankees also had a higher strikeout rate, averaging 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings compared to Seattle’s 6.8.

Chris Kreider has played his entire NHL career with the New York Rangers. For 13 seasons, he has been one of their most consistent forwards and a respected leader. Now, reports say his time with the team may be ending.

During his exit interview after the 2024–25 season, Kreider said he wanted to stay in New York. He called it “home” and said this was the organization that gave him his start. However, multiple reports suggest that both he and the Rangers agree that it might be time to move on. NHL writer Phil Kocher said, “There is a strong sense that the feeling is mutual… Kreider recognizes that the relationship has run its course.”

Kreider is 34 years old and still has two years left on a seven-year, $45.5 million contract he signed in 2020, which includes a $6.5 million cap hit each season. Last season, his performance dropped, as he scored only 22 goals and had 8 assists in 68 games—a total of 30 points; his lowest in several years.

General Manager Chris Drury has already started changing the team. He traded away former captain Jacob Trouba and former second-overall pick Kaapo Kakko during the season. Now, Kreider appears to be next.

Utah Mammoth Could Trade for Kreider in Exchange for Barrett Hayton

One possible trade would send Kreider to the Utah Mammoth. This team recently relocated from Arizona and is working to rebuild its identity and become competitive in its new home.

In return, the Rangers would get Barrett Hayton, a 24-year-old forward. Hayton is in the final year of a two-year, $5.3 million contract. Drafted in the first round and played all 82 games last season for Utah, he scored 20 goals and made 26 assists, finishing with 46 points.

If this trade goes through, Hayton would give the Rangers a younger player who can play on the second or third line, which fits the team’s goal of adding youth and improving long-term depth. It would also reduce the team’s salary cap burden and help with future roster flexibility.

For Utah, Kreider would bring experience and leadership. The Mammoth has many young players and future draft picks. Adding a veteran like Kreider could help the team grow and compete. After years of struggles as the Arizona Coyotes, the franchise wants to make a fresh start in Utah. Kreider’s presence would help support that goal.

Bruins Also Interested in Kreider to Fix Power Play Issues

Another possible trade involves the Boston Bruins, who missed the playoffs after a disappointing 2024–25 season. The team finished with just 76 points and had one of the worst power plays in the NHL. They converted only 15.22 percent of their chances, ranking 29th out of 32 teams. They scored just 35 power-play goals in total.

In response, Boston is looking to add scoring help. Kreider is one of the league’s top power-play scorers. In the 2021–22 season, he led the NHL with 26 power-play goals and also had 11 game-winning goals, finishing that season with 52 goals. In the next two seasons, he scored 36 and 39 goals. Over his career, he has 315 goals in 845 regular-season games.

The Bruins are considering sending Pavel Zacha, Fabian Lysell, and a 2026 first-round draft pick to the Rangers in exchange for Kreider. Zacha is a 28-year-old center with a $4.75 million cap hit. Lysell is a Swedish rookie winger who spent most of the season in the AHL. He has a cap hit of $863,000. The Bruins would also need to move additional salary or get the Rangers to retain part of Kreider’s contract, since Boston currently has only $744,000 in cap space.

This trade would also be personal for Kreider. He grew up in Boxford, Massachusetts, just north of Boston, and played college hockey at Boston College. A move to the Bruins would be a homecoming. It would also give Boston a top goal-scorer to play alongside David Pastrnak, who leads the team with 391 career goals and ranks 14th among active NHL players.

New Coach Mike Sullivan Brings New Vision to the Rangers

These possible trades are happening as the Rangers adjust to their new head coach, Mike Sullivan. He replaced Peter Laviolette and brought a new direction to the team. Sullivan said clearly, “Talent doesn’t win championships. Teams win championships,” clearly showing he wants players who work together and support a strong locker room culture.

Sullivan said he had early conversations with players and believes there is leadership in the room. He noted, “Whether you wear a letter or you don’t wear a letter, leadership manifests itself in many ways.” He also said he would work closely with Chris Drury to decide which players would fit the team’s plan.

Kreider has been a leader in the Rangers’ locker room for years. But with the team aiming for change, and his contract being hard to manage, the front office may feel this is the right time to make a move.

Sports are full of excitement, but nothing is more thrilling than a true upset – when a team or athlete no one believes in defeats the favorite. Undoubtedly, these kinds of surprises are a part of what makes sports so fun to watch. They remind us that anything is possible, no matter the odds.

This report will go through the biggest upsets in sports history. Each one was unexpected, and each one changed the way people saw the game.

The Miracle on Ice – 1980 Winter Olympics

The United States men’s hockey team shocked the world at the 1980 Winter Olympics. The event took place in Lake Placid, New York, on February 22. The U.S. team was made up of amateur and college players. Their opponent, the Soviet Union, had the best hockey team in the world and had won gold in nearly every Olympics since 1956.

Before the Olympics, the Soviets beat the U.S. team 10–3 in an exhibition game. However, in the Olympic medal round, the U.S. team won 4–3. Mike Eruzione scored the winning goal. The game became one of the most famous in sports history. Broadcaster Al Michaels asked, “Do you believe in miracles?” and many still remember his call today.

Buster Douglas Defeats Mike Tyson – 1990

Next, one of boxing’s most surprising results happened on February 11, 1990. Mike Tyson was the undefeated heavyweight champion. He had never lost and was considered unbeatable. The fight took place in Tokyo, Japan. Tyson’s opponent, James “Buster” Douglas, was a 42-to-1 underdog.

Douglas was not well-known. Most people thought Tyson would win easily. But Douglas knocked Tyson out in the 10th round. It was Tyson’s first loss. This result changed boxing and showed that no champion is invincible.

Leicester City Wins the Premier League – 2016

In one of the greatest team upsets, Leicester City won the English Premier League in 2016. At the start of the season, their odds to win were 5,000-to-1. The team had narrowly avoided relegation the year before.

Under coach Claudio Ranieri, and with players like Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, and N’Golo Kanté, Leicester surprised everyone. They played with discipline and speed. They officially won the title on May 2, 2016, after Tottenham Hotspur failed to win their game. Leicester’s victory proved that teamwork can beat big budgets.

UMBC Beats Virginia – 2018 NCAA Tournament

In the NCAA men’s basketball tournament on March 16, 2018, a major upset took place. The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) was a 16 seed. They played the University of Virginia, the top overall seed. Before this game, no 16 seed had ever beaten a 1 seed.

UMBC won 74–54. Jairus Lyles scored 28 points. The game was tied 21–21 at halftime, but UMBC dominated the second half – a result that shocked college basketball and broke a barrier that had lasted for decades.

Appalachian State Defeats Michigan – 2007

Another historic upset happened in college football. On September 1, 2007, Appalachian State played against the University of Michigan at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. Michigan was ranked No. 5 in the country. Appalachian State was from the FCS, one level below Michigan.

Appalachian State won the game 34–32. They blocked a field goal in the final seconds to secure the win, which was the first time a ranked FBS team lost to an FCS opponent. The game is still remembered as one of the biggest college football upsets ever.

Super Bowl III – New York Jets vs. Baltimore Colts (1969)

Moving to football, the third Super Bowl in 1969 featured the New York Jets against the Baltimore Colts. The Colts were 13–1 and heavy favorites. The Jets played in the AFL, which was seen as the weaker league.

Jets quarterback Joe Namath guaranteed a win before the game. On January 12, 1969, the Jets won 16–7. Namath completed 17 of 28 passes and led his team with confidence. This win helped prove that AFL teams could compete with NFL teams and led to the full NFL merger.

George Mason Reaches the Final Four – 2006 NCAA Tournament

In 2006, George Mason University made a surprise run in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. They were an 11 seed and had to face strong teams. George Mason beat Michigan State, defending champion North Carolina, and top-seeded UConn.

The most memorable game was the 86–84 overtime win over UConn. George Mason reached the Final Four, becoming one of the few double-digit seeds to do so. Their coach, Jim Larrañaga, led a team that showed heart and focus.

Fairleigh Dickinson Beats Purdue – 2023 NCAA Tournament

On March 17, 2023, Fairleigh Dickinson University made history. They became only the second 16 seed to beat a 1 seed in the men’s tournament, beating Purdue 63–58.

FDU was the shortest team in Division I basketball. Purdue had 7’4″ center Zach Edey, who scored 21 points. However, Edey did not attempt a shot in the last nine minutes. FDU’s defense and energy won them the game. This was an even bigger surprise because they only got into the tournament after another team was ruled ineligible.

Rulon Gardner Defeats Alexander Karelin – 2000 Olympics

In Greco-Roman wrestling at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Rulon Gardner of the United States faced Alexander Karelin of Russia. Karelin was undefeated for 13 years and hadn’t given up a point in six years.

Gardner won 1–0. He stopped Karelin from using his signature move and scored the only point of the match. After the match, Karelin retired. Gardner’s win was one of the biggest Olympic wrestling surprises ever.

Cassius Clay Beats Sonny Liston – 1964

On February 25, 1964, 22-year-old Cassius Clay faced heavyweight champion Sonny Liston in Miami Beach. Liston was expected to win easily. But Clay used speed and movement to frustrate Liston.

After six rounds, Liston quit. Clay was declared the winner by TKO. Soon after, he changed his name to Muhammad Ali. This fight marked the beginning of one of the most famous careers in boxing history.

Y.E. Yang Beats Tiger Woods – 2009 PGA Championship

On August 16, 2009, Y.E. Yang became the first golfer to beat Tiger Woods in a major after Woods held a 54-hole lead. The accomplishment took place at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota during the PGA Championship.

Yang hit an eagle on the 14th hole and finished with a birdie on the 18th. He won by three shots. Woods, known for closing out leads, struggled with putting and lost. This upset showed that even the best players can be beaten.

Pittsburgh Pirates Win the 1960 World Series

The 1960 World Series ended in one of the most dramatic ways in baseball history. The New York Yankees outscored the Pittsburgh Pirates by 55–27 across seven games. But the Pirates won four close games.

Game 7 was held at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. With the game tied 9–9 in the bottom of the ninth, Bill Mazeroski hit a home run. It was the first and only Game 7 walk-off homer in World Series history. Despite being outplayed in runs, the Pirates won the championship.

Boston Marathon Bombing – 2013

On April 15, 2013, during the Boston Marathon, two bombs exploded near the finish line. Three people were killed, and more than 260 were injured. The attack shocked the nation.

The suspects were found days later. One was killed in a shootout, and the other was captured and sentenced to death. The event changed security at sporting events. In response, the phrase “Boston Strong” became a symbol of strength and unity.

Malice at the Palace – 2004

On November 19, 2004, an NBA game between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons ended in a brawl involving players and fans. It happened at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan. After a fan threw a drink at Pacers player Ron Artest, he ran into the crowd and began fighting.

Nine players were suspended for a total of 146 games. Artest missed 86 games, Stephen Jackson 30, and Jermaine O’Neal 25. The incident led to new NBA rules about player conduct and fan behavior.

Lance Armstrong Doping Scandal

Lance Armstrong was once a symbol of strength and recovery after surviving cancer and winning seven Tour de France titles. However, in January 2013, during an interview with Oprah Winfrey, he admitted to using banned substances.

As a result, Armstrong was stripped of all titles from 1999 to 2005 and banned from professional sports for life. His fall changed how the public viewed cycling and sports integrity.