“Why was he allowed to keep playing?” New York Rangers fans furiously ask as Chris Kreider opens up about injury battles after missing playoffs

The New York Rangers are stumbling—not only from not making the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs but from the emotional and physical strain that has surfaced in the wake of it all. Franchise star forward Chris Kreider, a mainstay of the Rangers' lineup for more than a decade, exposed a succession of injuries that severely impacted his season—and fans are now asking for explanations from team management.


Addressing the press this week, the 33-year-old conceded he had struggled with back issues, a mid-tournament illness which brought on vertigo, and a hand injury he sustained just after the 4 Nations competition. These facts, only coming to light after the Rangers' playoff hopes officially disappeared, left supporters amazed and infuriated.
“This organization doesn’t work without the players,” said a visibly down Mika Zibanejad, suggesting a veiled demand for more unity throughout the team and more leadership.
It appears that Kreider's hand injury was suffered sometime on Feb. 22 vs. the Buffalo Sabres, The Athletic's Peter Baugh reported. It was a turning point for Kreider, who sat out six games after getting hurt and never really got his game back on track.
His output declined precipitously—from 75 points (39 goals, 36 assists) last year to a mere 30 points this season. Once a lockdown top-line contributor, Kreider seemed more like a shadow of his previous self, frequently scratched and far from 100%.
Through the hardship, the veteran Ranger stayed committed to the only team he's ever suited up for.
Kreider had a string of issues that hampered him during the season. He had to miss six games before he was well enough to rejoin the team. The winger had a difficult season, scoring just 30 points in 68 games after contributing 39 goals and 36 assists in 82 games during the regular season the previous year.

Fan backlash came immediately—and ruthlessly.
Fans on social media wondered why the Rangers' front office and medical staff permitted Kreider to play through such bad illnesses. The news fed into mounting discontent over the way the season was being managed both on and off the ice.
“Why on earth was he allowed to keep playing through all of this?” one fan asked.
Others joined in with equally outraged comments, implying that by forcing an injured Kreider onto the ice, the team could have compromised not just his well-being, but their playoff hopes as well. “Why did anyone on the coaching staff let him play?!” Another said, “Poor choice by him; even worse, the organization didn’t do anything about it.”
As the roster heads into another lengthy offseason, questions of accountability and transparency hang over the team. With frustration growing among fans and stars openly complaining, GM Chris Drury is under increasing pressure to tell them not only how the Rangers came up short—but why.
Also read: Mika Zibanejad sounds fed up but won’t leave Rangers after collapse: “I know what my contract says”
There is one thing sure: Chris Kreider's allegiance may remain in New York, but fans need to be assured their stars won't be left to hurt in silence once again.