New York Rangers: Chris Kreider has made himself indispensable
Chris Kreider has been unbelievable so far this year with the New York Rangers.
In his first four games this season, Chris Kreider leads the New York Rangers in points (7), goals (3) and assists (4) and is off to what is his best start to any season in his NHL career.
Kreider missed the Rangers win against the Coyotes on Sunday due to a neck strain. Even still, in his first four games, Kreider was tied for fourth behind Brent Burns, Brad Marchand and Connor McDavid for most points in the league.
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Currently, his seven points have him tied for eighth with Patrick Kane, Joe Pavelski, Paul Stastny, Vladamir Tarasenko, Jakub Voracek, Erik Karlsson, Gustav Nyquist, Thomas Vanek, Alexander Steen, Mike Green, Jonathan Marchessault, William Nylander and David Pastrnak.
One of the biggest question marks this offseason was whether Kreider would make a bigger impact on the ice. And his start this season is unprecedented.
During the 2015-2016 season, it took the 25-year-old 16 games to reach that same seven-point mark. Additionally, it took him seven games to notch three assists and 17 games to score three goals (his first goal coming in the eighth game of the season).
Perhaps his next best start to a season was in October of 2014. It took him nine games to reach six points that month.
Kreider has made himself into a reliable and vital piece to the Rangers offense so far this season.
What’s Changed?
Kreider all around looks like a different player; all a result of various changes for the Rangers this offseason.
First, Kreider moving onto a line with Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich has positively impacted the way he is playing. They add a level of speed and chemistry on the first line that’s been absent for years on the roster. They are able to push their pace but maintain control in the offensive zone and push teams onto their heels.
Additionally, Kreider has truly gotten back to his game. During the offseason, he talked about how much of his struggle with consistency was a result of moving away from his true power forward game. In an interview with the New York Post, Kreider said he felt he spread himself too thin on the ice. He also noted that he was working to get back to the basics, rely on his physicality in every game. He has done all those things thus far this season.
But the change the bottom line changes goes deep beyond this. The change in his intensity has truly been all about his attitude.
After signing a four-year, $18.5 million deal in July and now having four years in the NHL under his belt, Kreider can step up and be a leader on the ice. Regardless of whether this was a realization he came to himself or if it took his coaches and Rangers management to sit him down and say “it’s time to be a leader now,” you can see it in the way he plays.
Playing him on the top line with two teammates who are younger than him and have not played for the Rangers – or even in the league – up until this season has been extremely beneficial. It’s helped Kreider establish his role as a leader and ultimately find his game on that line.
Where Kreider goes from here
Before the season started, I predicted that Kreider would have a 50-point season. I still believe that is completely realistic. Obviously, it is too early in the season to say that he will definitely continue to produce on this level, but he’s playing hard and fast, with an intensity, he’s only shown flashes of in seasons prior.
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Kreider has already made himself indispensable to the offense. If he continues to play the way he’s been playing he will be key to the Rangers’ success this season.