It is good to be back on the blog! It’s been a busy time for yours truly, as I was out of town in Sin City (more on that soon) and helped make Ms. Breakdowns bridal shower be a special day for her. My busy 2025 seems to never slow down but that’s okay, as I’m enjoying some terrific life events. I’ve been feeling very thankful to be experiencing it with people I care about around me, which got me thinking…we need to take stock of what we’re thankful for in The Big Apple. So here is a list by team of things to be thankful for in New York sports in the year 2025.

Knicks

Improved Depth: The biggest change to the Knicks this offseason outside of coach Mike Brown taking over was the improvement of the bench. Landry Shamet returned, Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele came in and others like Tyler Kolek have taken a leap with more minutes. Last year’s squad, as lovable as they were, didn’t have enough quality depth to get the job done while also resting their top players. The depth will be tested while the team deals with some injuries, but overall these players plus sixth man Deuce McBride makes the Knicks better equipped to win over 82 games. It’s not been the best start at just 11-6 on the year, but hopefully that turns around in the weeks ahead.

Jets

A Plethora of Draft Picks: Yes yes I am here to once again sell you hope. Fear not my fellow Jet fans, there is a crap load of draft picks they surely can’t mess up again! Right? After making a series of trades at the deadline, gang green now has eight picks in 2026 and 11 in 2027, as they work to rebuild this team. Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn have spent 2025 thinning the herd and now to take positive steps next season they’ll have to have a successful offseason. Personally I don’t want them to draft a quarterback this offseason, and instead wait for the 2027 draft, but only time will tell how they elect to play this out.

Giants

Jaxson Dart: The Giants are once again a disaster at 2-10, with heartbreaking losses in abundance. They have struggled to close out games and fired their coach, but there is a bright spot that hopefully is back on the field soon. That bright spot is rookie QB Jaxson Dart, who has Giants fans hoping the rebuilding is finally over. Dart has thrown for over 1,400 yards and ten touchdown passes, while throwing just three picks. He’s also run the ball well on his own, and even better with Cam Skattebo at his side. With both of them back healthy together next year alongside Malik Nabers and hopefully a competent coaching staff, the Giants can exit the dark ages.

Rangers

Igor Shesterkin: Why Igor Shesterkin? Simply put he and his play in net are the only thing from keeping this season from being an abject embarrassment. It’s already dangerously close to that point as is. He’s posted a .909 save percentage so far this season, which only lowered due to some recent games against high end offensive teams. The Rangers are sadly off to a mostly underwhelming start. Several key players are underperforming and the efforts haven’t always been the best. Outside of Mike Sullivan, Noah Laba, and Vlad Gavrikov, it’s been all on Igor…a theme right in line with how this franchise has treated its goaltenders as it celebrates its 100th season.

Islanders

Matthew Schaefer: File this one under painfully obvious, but who else could I pick here other than Matthew Schaefer. The 18-year old has come onto Long Island and lifted the Islander franchise with his play and his personality. He’s extremely likable on and off the ice and has posted impressive numbers of his own on the backend, with seven goals and eight assists through 23 games. He and his teammates have the Long Island faithful dreaming about a return to the playoffs, as they’re off to a 13-9-2 start, good enough for third in the Metro division.

Yankees

Aaron Judge: Ahhhhhh the Bronx. The land of repetitive insanity and owners begging for a financial break. The Yankees have kicked off the offseason in usually silly style with Trent Grisham taking their 22 million qualifying offer, creating some issues with their outfield alignment. Which brings us to the thing we’re thankful, and as usual it’s Aaron Judge. Number 99 had another amazing year, that won him his second consecutive MVP award. His .331 average, 53 home runs and 114 RBI’s was matched by a big time playoff run punctuated by his three run homer against the Blue Jays to tie game three at the Stadium. Of course the Yanks wasted that effort, and will probably find a way to waste even more of Judge’s genius in 2026.

Mets

Nolan McLean: Finally we go to Flushing, where the Mets finished the season without giving their fans anything to be thankful about. While there were bright spots in 2025, none were brighter than young ace Nolan McLean, who debuted in the second half to a rousing reception. The 24 year old made eight starts in 25’, going 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA, with 57 strikeouts in 48 innings pitched. The impressive McLean figures to be one of the true untouchables in an offseason of change and an anchor of a remade pitching staff in 2026.

If you’re asking for what the Nets have to be thankful, the answer is nothing. You may call that harsh but drafting five point guards and having no fans at all is the mark of an unserious franchise. I want to wish you all a happy and healthy Thanksgiving with your families! This holiday kicks off my favorite time of year and we’ll have some Christmas related content coming your way. As always, I have to highlight my favorite, and the best Thanksgiving movie, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. I leave you with my favorite scene, a truly perfect ending to the film!

On twitter you can find Mike @Mike_Sheerin, Tyler @TMon_19 and Sean @SeanMartinNFL. Subscribe to the site by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner and entering your email address. Check out our Instagram feed @thebroadwaybreakdownsports for special gameday and promotional content. Our podcasts are available on Spotify. Visit the Rangers Ed Shop by clicking the link on our homepage. Check out our mailbag page to join the conversation here on the site and on our partners show, The Rangers Ed Podcast! We’ll be back with more soon.