There’s a world where the New York Rangers are essentially done for the summer.

After the team re-signed restricted free agent Braden Schneider on Monday, we can envision where all the pieces fit in the 2026-27 opening-night lineup.

There are a few other loose ends to tie up, such as agreeing to modest terms with fellow RFAs and depth defensemen Vincent Iorio and Scott Morrow. But after a busy few weeks in which the Rangers added 11 new players and drafted another nine prospects, the assumption is that team president Chris Drury and his front-office companions are shifting their attention to the beach, golf course or wherever they choose to spend their time off.

I’m just not sure they see it that way.

It sounds like several teams are still exploring moves, including the Rangers. They feel good about the work they’ve done to raise the floor of a roster that finished last in the Eastern Conference in 2025-26, but they also recognize that the ceiling they’re striving for will remain out of reach if they stand pat. Multiple league sources, speaking anonymously to describe behind-the-scenes personnel talks, have indicated New York is aiming to do more, specifically by acquiring additional help up front.

The Rangers are at least another top-six forward away from becoming a viable contender, but even a top-nine upgrade would aid the cause. Newly signed Oliver Bjorkstrand and veteran Taylor Raddysh are currently penciled in as the second- and third-line right wings, respectively, so slotting someone in ahead of them would make the whole lineup feel deeper.

That pursuit may have to wait until after the season begins or until next summer, but I’m hearing that Drury remains on the prowl for a forward to bring in before training camp begins in mid-September. We’ll get into what the available options look like, but first we must properly assess the state of New York’s salary cap and asset pool.

Schneider’s one-year, $5.5 million deal leaves the Rangers with roughly $1.5 million in cap space, but there’s some wiggle room there. That projection accounts for a full 23-man roster, but if another forward is added, that means someone else has to come off. If it’s a sub-$1 million forward such as Jaroslav Chmelař or Matt Rempe, then they could afford someone with a cap hit around $2.4 million. If they waive Raddysh, who makes $1.5 million (of which $1.225 million can be buried in the AHL), then the available space gets pushed closer to $2.8 million.

There are ways to stretch that even further. Carrying 22 players instead of the maximum 23 would allow New York to absorb a salary of up to $3.75 million. And if veteran goalie Joonas Korpisalo ($3 million cap hit) is waived in favor of rookie Dylan Garand ($875,000) in the backup competition, then we’re talking upwards of $4 million. Same goes if defenseman Urho Vaakanainen ($1.55 million) is waived and replaced by Iorio, Morrow or No. 5 pick Alberts Šmits.

Drury likely won’t want to cut it that close, but acquiring a forward who makes between $3 million and $4 million isn’t out of the question — and that’s with no outgoing players from the current NHL roster.

I still can’t rule out Schneider being traded if it helps the Rangers reel in a skilled forward. Those odds seem lower today than before Will Borgen was dealt to the Boston Bruins earlier this month, but the 24-year-old signing a one-year contract signals that there are still some unknowns regarding his future in New York. Adam Fox, Vladislav Gavrikov and newly acquired Marcus Pettersson are each under contract for at least three more seasons, and with Šmits expected to sign soon, Drury might be reluctant to make any more long-term commitments on defense. Push may not come to shove until next summer (or next trade deadline), but I doubt he’s hanging up the phone if an intriguing offer comes along.

I also wonder about the logjam of waiver-eligible skaters who won’t all be able to fit on the roster. There will only be spots for one or two extra forwards from a group that includes Raddysh, Rempe and Juuso Pärssinen, and there’s even more clutter on defense. Schneider is a lock to make the team if he’s here, but that leaves only two openings for Iorio, Morrow, Vaakanainen and Matthew Robertson. Only one can stick around if Šmits forces his way in, which has my antenna up for possible depth-clearing trades before the Rangers have to run the waiver risk.

None of those players would net a top-nine forward, but an upside swing on an unproven center or RW would make sense.

Now that we’ve covered all of that, let’s dive into some of the most feasible remaining options:

Available free agents

As of Tuesday afternoon, only seven unrestricted free agents had signed since July 6, according to PuckPedia. The market has gone quiet, but there were still plenty of players looking for jobs — 64, to be exact. That includes eight forwards who registered between 31 and 64 points last season, but those mid-tier UFAs are largely being devalued around the league.

That creates an opportunity for a team like the Rangers to go bargain hunting. They poked around on available wingers Anthony Mantha and Eeli Tolvanen, according to the league sources, but the Bjorkstrand signing may have cooled their interest. The Blueshirts’ preference to go short term and stick to that $3 million-to-$4 million range we’ve discussed could also be a hindrance if they re-engage at any point. It’s especially unlikely that Mantha would accept that kind of deal after a career year that left him as the highest-scoring player still on the board.

Patrik Laine is another intriguing option who’s lingering on the market. The 28-year-old appeared in only five games last season due to core muscle surgery but has seven seasons of at least 20 goals on his checkered resume. He’ll likely have to settle for a one-year, prove-it contract, which is right in New York’s wheelhouse, but Drury’s interest is unclear.

Others such as Michael Bunting and Jonathan Drouin could enter the conversation if the money and term add up, but all of these forwards have similar profiles to Bjorkstrand. They’d provide a temporary jolt (and possibly be flipped at the deadline), but none are likely to raise the ceiling high enough or serve as more than interim placeholders.

Potential trade targets

The underwhelming UFA class has steered Drury (and many of his peers) toward the trade route, with the Rangers already landing Korpisalo, Pettersson, Pavel Dorofeyev, Sean Durzi and Cole Beaudoin. He used some of his best assets to acquire those players, most notably Vincent Trocheck and three first-round picks, which reduces what he has left to offer. But that won’t prevent him from trying to do more.

There’s been a clear focus on getting younger, with Columbus’ Kent Johnson, Seattle’s Shane Wright and Calgary’s Connor Zary among the 24-and-under forwards who may be looking for a change of scenery. New York also had Toronto’s Matthew Knies on its radar earlier this offseason, but that would require a price tag Drury almost surely couldn’t afford. League chatter seems to have quieted on that front, anyway.

The possibility of adding a veteran can’t be dismissed, either, particularly those with ties to the Rangers. Captain J.T. Miller has history with Vancouver wingers Brock Boeser and Jake DeBrusk, while coach Mike Sullivan regards Pittsburgh’s Bryan Rust as one of his favorite players. But each of those players is 29 or older — Rust is the oldest at 34 — and would require salary to be moved to fit them. The wiser play is to remain patient and wait for a player who merits using New York’s limited remaining trade chips.

Familiar faces

I’ve lost count of how many Rangers fans have asked about a reunion with Patrick Kane, whose New York tenure was short-lived and marred by a hip injury that required surgery. I don’t want to burst anyone’s bubble, but I’d consider that a long shot. The same goes for fellow 2023 trade-deadline addition Vladimir Tarasenko, who, like Kane, is in the later stages of his career and remains unsigned.

A slightly more realistic scenario involves the Anaheim Ducks. No, I’m not talking about reacquiring Chris Kreider. But I do wonder about Frank Vatrano, who would come cheaper — both in terms of acquisition cost and cap hit — and also has Rangers connections. (Albeit to a much lesser degree.)

Vatrano provided an instant boost after being acquired at the 2022 deadline and playing alongside current No. 1 center Mika Zibanejad, then posted a 37-goal season for Anaheim in 2023-24. But injury and healthy scratches limited the 32-year-old winger to only 50 games last season. The Ducks must clear salary after matching a massive $18 million-average-annual-value offer sheet for star center Leo Carlsson, with Vatrano a prime candidate to go. He’s under contract for two more seasons at a $4.5 million AAV, so it would require a little cap maneuvering on Drury’s part. But it’s not the craziest idea I’ve heard.

That’s not to say it’s likely, or that the Rangers should be making a strong push. But there’s a decent chance Anaheim will have to attach an asset to get another team to take Vatrano off its books, and if that’s the case, it may be worth trying to take advantage. (They should also inquire about Troy Terry, who comes with a higher cap hit of $7 million but could fit if New York sent Schneider back to the defense-needy Ducks.)

DETROIT — The first half of the Detroit Tigers’ 2026 season was full of discombobulation. The team looked at times terrible and at others terrific. There were injuries and mistakes, brilliant displays of pitching and out-of-nowhere glimpses of potent power.

A.J. Hinch faced the most criticism of his Tigers tenure, and yet Hinch kept his team believing after a dismal May.

Between all that, Justin Verlander announced this season will be his last. The Tigers had an odd parting with third-base coach Joey Cora. Kevin McGonigle emerged as a rookie of uncanny composure. Dillon Dingler blossomed into the best catcher in the sport. The Tigers watched as Tarik Skubal got hurt, then made an unprecedented return.

Who knows, then, what the second half will hold.

Here is a sampling of the biggest Tigers storylines as we return from the All-Star break:

Are the Tigers buyers, sellers or both?

This is the big question. This is what everyone wants to know. The bad news: Finding out the answer will require a bit more patience.

The odds are still against the Tigers being able to mount a run into the postseason. But if they can come out of the All-Star break playing well, they could strengthen their case to keep this team together and make a push. Stranger things have happened.

Regardless of what happens in the next couple of weeks, there is no bigger dilemma than what to do with ace left-hander Tarik Skubal. The Tigers could trade him for multiple pieces that could strengthen their future. They could keep him and stay true to their original mission of pursuing a World Series. Or maybe they could trade Skubal for pieces that could offer immediate help but keep others such as Casey Mize and Gleyber Torres, attempting to play for both now and later.

It’s a tricky position to be in, and that’s one reason the Tigers seem determined to play as much of the schedule as possible before deciding their lane.

There is so much at stake. The Tigers probably still project as sellers, but there is more schedule to play.

How far can the pitching take them?

In the second half last season, an offensive breakdown contributed to an epic divisional collapse. So too did a pitching staff that didn’t have the breadth of quality arms needed to survive. For the second year in a row, the Tigers seemed poised to go as far as their pitching can take them.

Right now, the Tigers are in an ideal position. Their rotation has been firing on all cylinders. Troy Melton is emerging as a force. It’s the bullpen that remains Detroit’s biggest weakness.

The overall 3.85 bullpen ERA entering Sunday is not abysmal. But the Tigers have blown 19 saves, more than any team in the American League. The Win Probably Added from Detroit relievers is -4.57, second worst in the majors. Will Vest is on the injured list with a stress fracture in his arm. Kenley Jansen has a 4.56 ERA. Although there have been nights where the bullpen strung together scoreless innings, Hinch has not been able to phone down to the bullpen with confidence.

For the Tigers to have any hope, they need their starters to continue rattling off quality performances.

And if they’re serious about being anything more than a wild-card team destined for an early exit, the bullpen has to improve, perhaps through acquisitions at the trade deadline.

What kind of offense is this?

In May, the Tigers had a .597 team OPS. That ranked last in MLB.

In June, the Tigers had a .797 OPS. That ranked sixth.

So which version is the real Tigers?

The answer probably lies somewhere in between.

Dingler and McGonigle staged terrific first halves. Riley Greene reached his third straight All-Star game and entered the break with a career-best .842 OPS.

But so many other players have still underperformed. Spencer Torkelson has 16 home runs but is hitting only .208. Zach McKinstry, an All-Star this time last year, has a .197 average. Matt Vierling has struggled to the tune of -1.0 bWAR. Even Kerry Carpenter has not been at his best in terms of all-around performance.

The Tigers hope to get Gleyber Torres back soon. His right-handed presence is always a boost in stability. But the Tigers will need more hitters to pull their weight if they want to play meaningful baseball in September or perhaps later.

It will also be fascinating to see whether the Tigers promote top prospect Max Clark at any point this year. There’s a world where Clark could become part of a compelling playoff push.

There’s another where Clark debuts after the Tigers dismantle their roster and turn an eye toward the future.

The final whistle blew in Santa Clara, Calif., and the stadium erupted. Players embraced and celebrated on the field.

A solid performance turned defiant in the second half of the World Cup’s new round of 32, when the U.S. men’s national team went down to 10 men following the controversial sending-off of Folarin Balogun. The team grew stronger, got a cathartic free-kick goal from Malik Tillman and beat Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2-0 — the first World Cup knockout win for the U.S. men since 2002.

The sold-out crowd began singing a famous rendition of “Country Roads,” with players arm in arm on the field enjoying it. Goalkeeper Matt Freese, who kept a clean sheet in that game, would later point to this as his favorite moment at the World Cup. It shouldn’t be hard to pick out his least favorite.

Merely five days later in Seattle, he and the team were mired in despair, experiencing the highs and lows only sports can conjure all within a rapid, chaotic window.

The U.S. was eliminated by Belgium, 4-1, thoroughly outplayed in the round of 16. But the third Belgian goal — the true back-breaker — came following a Freese error. He raced off his line and out of the U.S. box to track a long ball over the top. While he beat Belgian forward Charles De Ketelaere to the ball, he flubbed his left-footed attempt to clear the danger. He reacted by quickly trying to go with his right, but his kick hit off De Ketelaere and right to the waiting feet of Hans Vanaken.

The Belgian midfielder wasted no time pouncing on Freese’s 57th-minute gaffe — which was then compounded by defender Tim Ream whiffing on an attempted block that would have prevented the goal. Instead, Vanaken’s shot bounced casually into the back of the U.S. net, and with that, for all intents and purposes, the Americans’ World Cup came to an end.

Belgium finds a third pic.twitter.com/0m1Hu4qzwR

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 7, 2026

A 2-1 match suddenly turned into a two-goal game after an all-time U.S. blunder at the worst possible time.

“It hurt. It was devastating,” Freese told The Athletic. “In that moment. In the hours and days after that.”

Once the players peeled themselves off the grass after the final whistle, Mauricio Pochettino rounded up the team on the field for one more speech, imploring the group to continue believing in the future. To use this pain as motivation.

“In the moment, it’s hard to even hear, because it means our journey is done,” Freese recalled. “We didn’t want it to end. But that speech is something you look back on in six months when you need motivation. In two years when you’re gearing up for the summer of 2028. You look to the memory of that when it’s 6 a.m. and your alarm clock goes off on a Tuesday when you try to be the first one in the facility.”

The elimination came as a shock. Not that the team lost — there was confidence in the U.S. locker room and among the fanbase as well after an inspiring group stage — but the manner and speed with which the exit transpired. Though the U.S. briefly equalized through a deflected Tillman free kick in the first half and tried to fight coming out of the halftime break before Belgium put the game away, it was clear from the opening whistle who had the upper hand.

Matt Freese is pressured by Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere before committing the gaffe that led to Hans Vanaken’s back-breaking goal (David Ramos / Getty Images)

It was an awful time for the U.S. to produce its worst performance at the World Cup, with a record American audience watching on TV and momentum and optimism seemingly soaring.

“The first thing that comes to mind is how badly I wanted it and how badly we wanted it as a group,” Freese said. “We always said we wanted to win the World Cup. It was not a fake, PR answer. It was genuine.”

Though the loss leaves a sour taste, as time passes by, plenty of positives will be remembered. The group stage and feeling of the fans unifying behind the team was special, Freese said. For the goalkeeper, he’ll keep thinking of those scenes following the Bosnia win and “Country Roads” karaoke.

“I hadn’t really taken in the other wins. The emotions were gratitude and pride,” Freese said. “To play in front of that crowd, to win a game and know there was (over 33 million) people watching that game. In a moment like that, the country is united. To be on the field for that was incredible.”

After confronting his moment of USMNT infamy, Freese returns to action next week. His New York City FC resumes its MLS season next Wednesday in Columbus vs. the Crew before welcoming the Chicago Fire and new signing Robert Lewandowski to Yankee Stadium three days later. From there, both he and Ream, who were at the heart of that blunder vs. Belgium, will take their place as MLS All-Stars in Charlotte on July 29. They’ll be joined there by World Cup teammates Sebastian Berhalter and Max Arfsten. There is life after a colossal mistake. And for Freese, there’s more to remember from this World Cup than the one moment of devastation.

“My hope for this tournament is to not just continue the growth of the game at the same rate, but to spike that growth and catalyze a newfound love for the game in this country,” Freese said. “Seeing jerseys and posters flood the streets of the cities we were in, seeing videos of the same things happening all over the country, those are scenes I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”