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New York Rangers’ Chris Kreider Finally Living up to Promise

By Drew McCaffrey

Jan 7, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) carries the puck as Columbus Blue Jackets center Alexander Wennberg (10) trails the play during the third period at Nationwide Arena. The Rangers defeated the Blue Jackets 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) carries the puck as Columbus Blue Jackets center Alexander Wennberg (10) trails the play during the third period at Nationwide Arena. The Rangers defeated the Blue Jackets 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider is having his long-awaited breakout season. His talent promises even better things to come as he enters his prime.

For years, New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider has tantalized audiences with his raw tools. His rare combination of size, speed, power, strength, and wicked shot promised that he would turn into an elite goal scorer—someday. After failing to noticeably improve his numbers in three full seasons from 2013-2016, it appeared Kreider would never reach the heights that his talent once indicated.

The 2016-17 season has flipped that narrative. In only 47 games, Kreider has matched his career high in goals (21) and is on his way to obliterate his best marks in shots, assists, and power play points.

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Once again, Kreider looks like a major piece for the Rangers’ future. His contract, signed in the summer of 2016, runs through 2020 and carries a $4.625 million cap hit, which looks fantastic for a player on the verge of his first 30-goal season and just entering his prime.

So as Kreider makes his way through what looks to be a 30-goal, 60-point season, what can we expect from him in the future? Is 60 points his ceiling?

NHL: Calgary Flames at New York Rangers
NHL: Calgary Flames at New York Rangers /

To figure this out, we should look for comparables. While Kreider’s skillset is unique in the NHL, there’s one player who is reasonably similar: Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds.

Simmonds, like Kreider, hovered in the 30-40 point range for his first few full seasons before breaking out for 29 goals and 60 points in 2013-14. Like Kreider, Simmonds shoots just over 13% for his career, and makes his living in front of the net on the power play.

Since then, Simmonds has hovered around 30 goals and 60 points per season. Kreider, however, might have an even higher ceiling.

For one thing, Kreider has more explosive speed, which allows him to be more effective than Simmonds at even strength. Since Simmonds’ breakout in 2013-14, he has scored 110 goals; a whopping 52 of those came on the power play, or 47%. Kreider, on the other hand, has scored 80 goals over that span, with only 29% of those coming at 5 on 4.

As Kreider’s responsibilities and PP time increase and he hits his prime, his consistent 5 on 5 production should add up with better PP results for a higher peak. His shooting trend is also promising: he is on pace for 206 SOG, 26 better than his 180 in 2014-15.

Not only that, but his shooting percentage has actually increased to go along with the volume improvement, indicating that this isn’t an unsustainable spike in shooting luck. While Kreider may not shoot 16% every season, his 13.2% career average to date might be low if he continues on this trajectory.

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So, what can we expect from Kreider in the future? At just 25 years old, the Rangers’ talented power forward is finally ready to take the next step in his production. 30-35 goals and 65-70 points is not out of the question.

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