New York Rangers: Lessons learned from the 2018-2019 season

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PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 06: New York Rangers Left Wing Chris Kreider (20) skates during the first period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers on April 6, 2019, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Chris Kreider is painfully inconsistent

The NHL career of Christopher James Kreider is one of unrecognized potential. From the Boston College product’s very first game with the Rangers in the postseason against the Ottawa Senators, it was clear that he had special talent. The forward possesses blistering speed with a 6’4 frame and a snarl to his game required to be a power forward in the modern NHL.

Yet, Kreider has never become the player he has the skill to be. In an ideal world, the Massachusetts native would be a 40 goal threat like Anders Lee of the New York Islanders. Kreider could park himself in front of the net mouth and bang in goals from within five feet as Lee does. The sad thing is, Kreider has more raw physical talent, he just doesn’t use it.

This was supposed to finally be the year that Kreider reached the ever elusive 30 goal plateau. Instead, the forward finished the year with 28 goals, and only scored four in his final 27 games after scoring 24 in his previous 52. Even in a marquee role alongside center Mika Zibanejad, who had a career year, Kreider failed to get the monkey off of his back.

With one year remaining on his contract before unrestricted free agency, the organization has a decision to make. Was the final 27 games a fluke stretch that was the result of playing injured on a subpar team or is Kreider just an above average player instead of an impact one?

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