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New York Rangers: The next captain isn’t on the roster

By Nicholas Zararis

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 29: New York Rangers Center Lias Andersson (50) skates during the New York Rangers Prospect Development Camp on June 29, 2018 at the MSG Training Center in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 29: New York Rangers Center Lias Andersson (50) skates during the New York Rangers Prospect Development Camp on June 29, 2018 at the MSG Training Center in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – MARCH 31: New York Rangers Left Wing Chris Kreider (20) during the 1st period of the Carolina Hurricanes game versus the New York Rangers on March 31, 2018, at PNC Arena (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – MARCH 31: New York Rangers Left Wing Chris Kreider (20) during the 1st period of the Carolina Hurricanes game versus the New York Rangers on March 31, 2018, at PNC Arena (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Number one: Chris Kreider

Unlike the previous two players on this list, Chris Kreider actually figures to be in the Rangers’ plans for the next several years. At 27 years old, the Boston native has time left in his prime production to remain relevant for a rebuilding team. In fact, there is a serious argument that the forward has still yet to put all of his skills together in one season.

There is always this air of inconsistency surrounding the former Boston College Eagle. For all of his physical skills, Kreider has failed to hit the 30 goal mark once in his career. The forward has all of the skills to be one of the league’s dominant power forwards, but he simply does not use his speed enough to get into open space.

Yet, this is the biggest reason not to name Kreider as captain. The forward is coming off of a life altering health scare last season in which he had a blood clot in his chest. There is enough on Kreider’s plate at this point in his career, he needs to worry about putting together a complete season and not have the added burden of leader.

Kreider would likely be repeating the same mistake that the team did with McDonagh. A talented but imperfect player that has elite potential but would be weighed down by the responsibility that accompanies the role.

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