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New York Rangers: Chris Kreider and the upcoming decision

By Jim Madden

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)
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) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 09: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers looks on pregame before the game against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on March 9, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 09: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers looks on pregame before the game against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on March 9, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Kreider years

In seven seasons on Broadway, the 6’3”, 220 pound Kreider has scored 133 goals with 138 assists for 271 points in 460 regular season games.  His production has been a steady 20 goals and 45 points in his six full season, averaging .59 points per game.  He has also scored 23 goals and 37 points in 77 playoff games.  The power forward’s value is not just in putting up points, he has a career plus/minus of +55 with a positive rating in every season except one since becoming a regular.

Kreider’s two-way game has been a valuable asset more apparent during the past two seasons with a much younger Ranger supporting cast.  Despite a very complete game the burning questions among Ranger fans and management is have we seen the best of Chris Kreider? When will he have the breakout season we’ve all been waiting for?  Those two questions are on Gorton’s mind as he looks over his team’s blueprint and ponders the forecast of future contract expenditures.

It’s no secret with the recent free agent signings of former Rangers Kevin Hayes in Philadelphia for seven years at $7M per season and Mats Zuccarello in Minnesota for five years at $6 million per season, that Kreider views his value in the seven year range in excess of $7 million per season.  Kreider turns 29 years old this April and his age and inconsistency are of concern.

The Rangers remain in no rush to make their decision on Kreider.   They could wait until the 2020 trade deadline to deal him but perhaps the team wants to avoid the in-season drama for a third consecutive year.  Trading him before the season gives a contending team a full season which should increase the return back to the Rangers in contrast to a deadline rental.  In terms of a return the Rangers should be able to land a first-round draft pick or key prospect and a conditional draft pick from a contender as the Rangers did with the Hayes and Rick Nash trades.

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