NHL Rangers injury report: Zibanejad Hurt, Berard Out

The New York Rangers had a busy and important week. Several important players are in the news and there are big decisions that could affect the future of the team. Mika Zibanejad was injured during the international game, but continued. Brett Berard had to miss the World Cup overall. At the same time, the team has to decide what to do with its No. 12 selection in the NHL design of 2025. Since you don't have many young centers in your system, this choice could be very important.

Here is a full view of everything that is going on with the Rangers this week.

Zibanejad takes a high stick to the mouth in Sweden's game against Finland

On Monday, during a world championship game in Stockholm, Rangers striker Mika Zibanejad was hit in his mouth by a high stick. He played for the host country Sweden against Finland. The incident occurred at the beginning of the second period behind Finland.

Finnish defender Nikolas Matinpalo turned to stop Zibanejad, whose speed brought him deep into the zone. When Matinpalo reached, his stick rose and hit Zibanejad straight into his mouth. Zibanejad fell on the ice and bleed. Despite the clear contact, civil servants have not described a punishment.

At the beginning of the game against Finland, there was already a top -class call, which could possibly explain the hesitation of the officials. Nevertheless, the non-start Zibanejad and others surprised. When he ran to the bank, he spit out blood and rinse his mouth with water.

Even after the goal, Zibanejad returned to the game and played 19 minutes and 41 seconds. He did not achieve and ended his series in the tournament. Previously, he had scored a goal in the 5-0 win in Sweden against Slovakia and two more in a 4-2 victory against Austria, including the deceased game winner.

In the same game, the team -mate of the Ranger Juuso played Parssinen for Finland. Parsenin was the key in Finland's earlier games and scored both games, including an overtime winner against France. But on Monday he fought. He lost 13 of 14 allusions and did not score a single goal in over 15 minutes of ice age.

Sweden captured a 2-1 win and improved to 3-0 in the tournament.

Brett Berard takes off with injuries from the USA, but will train

While Zibanejad returned from an injury, Brett Berard had no chance of playing. The 22-year-old winger should play for the USA at the World Cup. However, he missed the first three games, including a 3-0 defeat against Switzerland on Monday. It is now confirmed that he will not play in the tournament.

According to a report by Mollie Walker der New York PostBerard released himself due to “physical restrictions”. No further details were given, but it is not regarded as a serious injury. A source said Walker that Berard is still expected to train this low season and be ready for the training camp.

Berard had said on the Rangers separation that he wanted to return to the area of ​​Tristate in early June. It is expected that he will be trained 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 templates for 10 points. He mainly played in the lower six and an average of 10 minutes and 43 seconds per game. His top moments included two goals against the islanders and two templates against the Blackhawks on January 5.

Rangers need centers and must carefully select with No. 12

If you go beyond injuries, the Rangers now have to concentrate on the NHL design of 2025. You have the overall selection of number 12, but it is a conditional selection. The team has to decide up to 48 hours before the draft, which begins on June 27, whether he should keep the choice or send Pittsburgh Penguins. This disease is bound to a number of shops in which Vancouver and Pittsburgh are involved.

If the Rangers keep the choice, you are expected to design a center. Your NHL squad currently includes the centers Mika Ziibanejad, Vincent Trocheck, JT Miller and Sam Carrick. Juuso Parssinen and Jonny Brodzinski are also in the mix. While that sounds depth, everyone is over 30 years old except for parsing. Parsinsins at the age of 24 are probably equipped as a third-party center.

The Rangers' prospect system is missing a strong center talent. From January, The athlete Ranked her pool 19th in the NHL. The Top -Forward views – Gabe Perreault, Brennan Othmann and Brett Berard – are all wing players.

There are only a few central prospects in the system. Noah Laba is the best in the group. He was drawn in in the fourth round in 2022 and played three seasons on Colorado College. In 2023-24 he scored 20 goals and 37 points. Last season he led the team again in goals, although he was slowed down by injuries.

Laba signed this spring with the Rangers and joined the Hartford Wolf Pack from Ahl in an attempt. In 11 games he scored three goals and five points. He is considered a solid two-way player who could become a third center and a criminal killer.

In addition to Laba, there are some 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 great strikers such as Matt Rempe and Adam Edstrom also project as a bottom-Six player.

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

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

The Rangers could also try to climb in the draft or to pack the selection in a trade for an NHL-capable young center. Defender Zac Jones is a player whose name appeared as part of a possible package.

Erik Gustafsson is currently looking back with Rangers after an injury

When the Rangers look ahead, a former player reflects his time in New York. Defender Erik Gustafsson, who played 76 games for the Rangers in the 2023–24 season, signed at the Detroit Red Wings after the season. During his time in New York, he recorded six goals and 25 templates for 31 points.

Gustafsson's year ended early this season because a broken foot suffered four weeks before the end of the regular season. He had hoped to return for the last games, but could not recover in time.

Gustafsson now played at the World Cup for Sweden and shared his thoughts about New York.

“It's a damn good city“, He said.”In the garden it is always fun to play. Obviously we had a great team, great run. Unfortunately it ended in the conference finale, but I have good memories from there. We loved where we lived in Greenwich, Connecticut. I really loved the time I played there.“”

Gustafsson is now fully healthy and joins Zibanejad in team Sweden.