Blue Line Station
Fansided

New York Rangers: More Chris Kreider craziness

By Steve Paulus

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 10: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers and Chris Kreider #20 talk on the ice during the third period against the Los Angeles Kings at STAPLES Center on December 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NHLI via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 10: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers and Chris Kreider #20 talk on the ice during the third period against the Los Angeles Kings at STAPLES Center on December 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
NEWARK, NJ – SEPTEMBER 16: Cory Schneider #35 of the New Jersey Devils deflects a shot on goal as Alexander Urbom #33 of the New Jersey Devils and Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers look on during the second period of a preseason game on September 16, 2013 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ – SEPTEMBER 16: Cory Schneider #35 of the New Jersey Devils deflects a shot on goal as Alexander Urbom #33 of the New Jersey Devils and Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers look on during the second period of a preseason game on September 16, 2013 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images) /

To sign or not to sign

Kreider’s production over the last two months has revived the “re-sign him” discussion.  The fact is that it will take a lot of money to sign him and that means sacrificing other pieces of the Ranger puzzle.   How much will it take?  Here’s a way to compare.

A lot has been made about Kreider’s ability to score tip-in goals.  Over the last five NHL season, he has scored 37 tip-in goals, the most of any NHL player. He’s in good company.  Here’s the top ten in tip-in goals since 2014

  1. Chris Kreider                37
  2. Anders Lee                   34
  3. Patric Hornqvist          31
  4. Joe Pavelski                  30
  5. Wayne Simmonds      27
  6. Brendan Gallagher     27
  7. Sidney Crosby              26
  8. Jamie Benn                   24
  9. Patrice Bergeron         24
  10. James van Riemsdyk  24

Not only that, but Kreider has scored on 24% of his tip-in shots, topped only by Sidney Crosby with 26.3% among the top ten. Knowing these stats, it’s worth looking at how his competition is getting paid.

  1. Anders Lee, 29,  signed a seven-year contract in 2019 for $7 million AAV (contract expires when he is 35)
  2. Patric Hornqvist, 33,  signed a five-year contract in 2018 for $5.3 million AAV (contract expires when he is 36)
  3. Joe Pavelski. 35,  signed a three-year contract in 2019 for $7 million AAV (contract expires when he is 37)
  4. Wayne Simmonds, 31,  signed a one-year contract in 2019 for $5 million (contract expires when he is 31)
  5. Brendan Gallagher, 27, signed a six-year contract in 2014 for $3.75 million AAV (contract expires when he is 28)
  6. Sidney Crosby, 32,  signed a 12-year contract in 2012 for $8.75 million AAV (contract expires when he is 37)
  7. Jamie Benn. 30,  signed an eight-year contract in 2016 for $9.5 million AAV (contract expires when he is 35)
  8. Patrice Bergeron, 34,  signed an eight-year contract in 2013 for $6.875 million AAV (contract expires when he is 36)
  9. James van Riemsdyk, 30,  signed a five-year contract in 2018 for $7 million AAV (contract expires when he is 33)

Looking at this list, Anders Lee is the most comparable to Kreider.  Lee has averaged .32 goals per game (GPG) and .58 points per game (PPG)  over six  plus seasons in the NHL.  Kreider’s numbers are .30 GPG and .60 PPG. over seven seasons.  Lee is a center, but Kreider has had more assists.

In looking at players like Lee or van Riemsdyk it’s clear that Krieder is going to command at least a $7 million payday. Is that too much?

Home/Editorials