Chris Kreider is out with some kind of upper-body injury, and the Rangers are saying he’s “day-to-day.”
Fans are scratching their heads, especially since he was just out there playing on Saturday against the Capitals.
He sat out Sunday’s game against the Blackhawks (which the Rangers still won, 6-2), but his sudden absence has people talking.
Is it just an injury, or is something bigger going on?
Key Takeaways:
- Chris Kreider is sidelined with an upper-body injury, listed as day-to-day, raising questions about his immediate future and long-term role with the Rangers.
- The injury follows a resurgence in his form, with 13 goals in 34 games this season and a standout performance against the Washington Capitals.
- Fan speculation about a potential trade has added fuel to the fire, while the Rangers aim to maintain their playoff momentum despite his absence.
Chris Kreider’s Injury
On Sunday, the New York Rangers announced that Chris Kreider is out with an upper-body injury and is listed as day-to-day.
The announcement came just before the Rangers’ game against the Chicago Blackhawks, which they won 6-2.
UPDATE: Chris Kreider (upper body, day-to-day) will not play today.
— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) January 5, 2025
But nobody knows exactly when Kreider got injured.
He played on Saturday against the Washington Capitals and seemed fine.
In fact, he even scored the first goal of that game.
And now, he’s suddenly out, and fans are left wondering what’s really going on.
Kreider has been a cornerstone of the Rangers for his entire career, so this injury news hits hard.
Fans are now speculating about whether this is just an injury or if it’s tied to something bigger—like a possible trade.
A Look at Kreider’s Season and Recent Form
At 33 years old, Kreider is one of the Rangers’ most experienced players.
While this season hasn’t been as impressive as last year’s (when he scored 75 points), he’s still been solid.
So far, he’s scored 13 goals, made 2 assists, and has 15 points in 34 games.
He’s also been averaging 17 minutes and 37 seconds on the ice per game.
The timing of this injury is especially tough because Kreider was just starting to find his rhythm again.
In the three games before his injury, he had scored two goals and picked up three points.
Fans were hopeful he was gearing up for a strong second half of the season.
Now, all of that momentum feels like it’s on hold.
Kreider’s Last Game: Rangers vs. Capitals
The last time we saw Kreider on the ice was during Saturday’s 7-4 loss to the Washington Capitals.
Despite the loss, Kreider showed his value early in the game.
He scored the opening goal at 7:00 of the first period by intercepting a clearing attempt.
But after that, things went downhill for the Rangers.
The Capitals tied it up late in the first period with a power-play goal by Dylan Strome.
In the second period, Washington pulled ahead with goals from Lars Eller and Andrew Mangiapane.
Even though Sam Carrick managed to close the gap to 3-2, the Capitals kept control of the game.
By the third period, the Rangers fought back.
Filip Chytil scored on a breakaway, and Mika Zibanejad brought the Rangers within one goal.
But Alex Ovechkin (the guy with 872 NHL goals) scored to give the Capitals some breathing room.
Tom Wilson sealed the game with an empty-net goal, making it a 7-4 final.
Even in a losing effort, Kreider’s early goal was a reminder of what he brings to the team.
Now, with him out, the Rangers will have to figure out how to keep things moving.
Fan Speculation: Injury or Trade?
As soon as the news about Kreider’s injury broke, social media exploded with theories.
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) weren’t shy about sharing their thoughts.
Some people wonder if the injury is real or just a cover for a potential trade.
Fans posted things like, “About to be traded?” and “Trade related reasons I’m hearing from a source.”
About to be traded?
— John Vespe Jr (@Tevespe) January 5, 2025
Others were more skeptical, pointing out that Kreider’s injury seemed legitimate given his physical playing style.
It’s not hard to see why these rumors are spreading.
Kreider’s production has dipped compared to last season, and the NHL trade deadline is creeping closer.
But at the same time, Kreider has been with the Rangers his entire career, so a trade would be a huge deal.
But for now, the team insists it’s just an injury, and there’s no official word of any trade talks.
How the Rangers Are Adjusting Without Kreider
With Kreider out, the Rangers made some lineup changes.
Jonny Brodzinski was brought in to fill the gap during Sunday’s game against the Blackhawks.
While nobody can replace Kreider’s experience and skill, the team secured a dominant 6-2 win.
Still, it’s hard to ignore the long-term implications.
If Kreider’s injury keeps him out for over a few games, the Rangers will need other players to rise to the occasion.
