Karly Redpath – Chris Kreider
From the moment Chris Kreider stepped on the ice for the New York Rangers he became my favorite player on the roster.
Since the beginning, the Massachusetts native has found a way to make an impact in many important moments for the Rangers.
Kreider is big and physical, but his skill also makes him a solid goal scorer. A true power forward, Kreider relies on his speed to enter the zone. This alongside his sense and ability to read plays makes him solid on the forecheck, in play along the boards, and a great team player in the offensive zone.
From early regular season games to scoring big goals in important moments in the postseason (like this one in 2014), Kreider has shined. Though more recently Kreider has struggled in games later in the season, this year he showed more consistency than in any other he’s played before, registering his first 50-point season in 2016-17.
This alone has made Kreider worth the contract he and the Rangers agreed upon last offseason. His responsible yet physical presence, his speed and skill on the ice and his impact in important moments have made him a vital piece of the Rangers roster and my favorite player on the team.