Danny Wild-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/c1108da1-5c7e-4ca1-b9d1-c057a302ee55.jpeg] Danny Wild-Imagn Images The 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship is coming up in May and we may see a few New York Rangers players participating in this tournament. Here are the few players who have hinted about possibly playing at the World Championship: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/38eb1e40-b95c-4d93-910d-38846c22b006.jpeg] Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images Alexis Lafrenière: While not specifically committing, Alexis Lafrenière confirmed that playing for Team Canada is an enticing option for him. “Still talking to my agent, thinking about it still,” Lafrenière said about playing for Team Canada at the World Championship. “It is always a big tournament, always a lot of fun playing against all of these good players. It’s a good tournament. The 2020 first-overall pick signed a seven-year, $52.15 million contract extension with the Rangers at the beginning of the 2023-24 season. While showing flashes of promise and greatness, Lafrenière’s point total took a 12-point dip from the previous season as he still navigates playing at a consistent level. The World Championship is a good way for Lafrenière to hone his skills and continue on his development path. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/e57a3a56-dfc4-4f6b-925e-79ae424bad68.jpeg] Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Will Borgen: During his exit interview, Will Borgen hinted that there’s been communication between his representatives and USA Hockey about playing at the World Championship. “I think they usually talk to agents,” Borgen said. “At the end of the year I kind of said I need to focus on this right now and every game mattered trying to make the playoffs. That was kind of where my head was at… “There is always interest there.” The Rangers traded for Borgen from the Seattle Kraken in December in a trade that included Kaapo Kakko. He instantly jumped in as a top-four defenseman for the Rangers while quickly earning himself a five-year, $20.5 million extension to remain in New York. The World Championship would be a perfect opportunity for Borgen to display his skills on a global stage. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/905c9ce8-d662-4769-b5db-a69bebbb4006.jpeg] Sam Navarro-Imagn Images K’Andre Miller: There was a brief discussion about the World Championship during K’Andre Miller’s exit interview and he didn’t fully rule out playing in the upcoming tournament. “Thinking about it, haven’t really talked about it with anybody,” Miller said. Miller is another young player who has shown promise, but is yet to put all of the tools together to become the defenseman we all know he can be. Entering restricted free agency this summer, the 24-year-old defenseman has a lot to prove, so why not play for Team USA. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/9c04709a-a4f0-4d1c-8a46-49615bd029ec.jpeg] Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Mika Zibanejad: Mika Zibanejad relishes at any opportunity he has to play for Team Sweden and represent his country. He recently served a big role for Sweden during the Four Nations Face-Off in February and seems to be entertaining the idea of participating at the World Championship. Zibanejad made clear he still has to figure some things out, but certainly did not rule out the possibility of playing in this global tournament. What makes it more enticing for the 32-year-old forward is that Sweden is one of the host countries for the World Championship this year. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/ea7d0e06-0dd6-4df0-9283-79dfdc237ba9.jpeg] Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Urho Vaakanainen: After representing Team Finland at the Four Nations Face-Off, Vaakanainen may be itching to play more international hockey. While there has been communication between Vaakanainen and Team Finland representatives, his health is a small concern. “They reached out to me, but I’m not really sure yet,” Vaakanainen said. “Just a couple of things physically I want to get sorted, I have a busy summer coming up too, so just got to weigh in all the options.” The Rangers traded for Vaakanainen in December with Jacob Trouba being the centerpiece of that deal. Similar to Borgen, Vaakanainen signed a contract extension within a few months of being traded.
