New York Rangers: Four potential trades for Chris Kreider

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 16: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers takes in some smelling salts prior to the game against the Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden on February 16, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

2. St. Louis Blues

The Blues have two intriguing prospects currently on their NHL roster in forwards Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou.

Given that Kyrou is considered to have the highest ceiling of all the prospects in the St. Louis pipeline, I have included Thomas in this deal.

Plus, with over $7 million in cap space at the Deadline, the St. Louis Blues could afford to include a top prospect given that they will have a better chance than most to sign Chris Kreider to a long-term deal.

Thomas is a 20-year-old center who can also play wing, and he has a good presence at 6-feet and 188 pounds.

Plus, in 56 games this year the forward has nine goals and 25 assists for 34 points with a +7 rating, while he has recorded 67 points (18 goals, 49 assists) in 126 career NHL games.

Under contract through 2020-21 with an average annual value of $894166, Thomas would make an immediate impact at center for the Rangers, while his high ceiling would also ensure that the Blueshirts have a strong core down the middle for the foreseeable future.

Given that the Rangers are said to want either a conditional pick or a low-end prospect in addition to a first-round pick and a top-end prospect, they could also get back MacKenzie MacEachern in any deal.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 31: Robert Thomas #18 of the St. Louis Blues skates with the puck against Ilya Lyubushkin #46 of the Arizona Coyotes during the first half of the NHL game at Gila River Arena on December 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The left wing is a big body at 6’2″ and 190 pounds, and would give the Blueshirts more depth at forward.

He has 10 points (seven goals, three assists) in 46 games this year, and MacEachern could be a replacement for Jesper Fast should the forward also be dealt at the Trade Deadline.

MacEachern is an RFA in the summer, however, and would need to be re-signed in the off-season, although his body of work suggests that he wouldn’t command a massive jump above his current $750,000 cap hit.

For the Blues, they are almost the perfect fit for Kreider given that they play a big, bruising style of hockey.

Kreider would inject a bucketload of speed into their lineup and would give them yet another weapon to try and win the Western Conference.

Plus, with there being a possibility of Vladimir Tarasenko returning for the postseason, the Blues would be strong favorites to repeat as Stanley Cup champions with Kreider in the lineup too.