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New York Rangers: Kreider or Zibanejad for Captain

By Andrew Steele-Davis

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 17: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers celebrates with Mika Zibanejad #93 after a goal against the Washington Capitals during the third period at Capital One Arena on October 17, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 17: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers celebrates with Mika Zibanejad #93 after a goal against the Washington Capitals during the third period at Capital One Arena on October 17, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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Chris Kreider of the New York Rangers poses for a portrait ahead of the 2020 NHL All-Star Game at Enterprise Center on January 24, 2020.
Chris Kreider of the New York Rangers poses for a portrait ahead of the 2020 NHL All-Star Game at Enterprise Center on January 24, 2020. /

Chris Kreider

Something about Chris Kreider has just screamed leader from the moment he burst onto the NHL scene with the New York Rangers in 2012-13.

From the way he carries himself to the respect he demands from within that locker room, Kreider boasts all the intangibles that come with being a leader.

As such, the power forward has come up in conversations regarding the “C” ever since previous Captain Ryan McDonagh was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2018 Trade Deadline.

Those rumors have only intensified the more Kreider has stepped up to the plate during the current rebuild, taking an active role in leading by example and setting the tone for the plethora of young studs finding their way in the NHL.

While he doesn’t appear to be a screamer, not in view of the fans or media anyway, Kreider certainly pulls no punches in postgame interviews if he feels something needs to be said.

He holds himself accountable while also making sure to walk that delicate tightrope of sending a message to his team without throwing anyone under the proverbial bus.

Again, all good signs of a natural leader.

Then there is the on-ice performances.

Although the amount of points you put up isn’t conducive to being a good Captain or leader, Kreider did start to answer the biggest question that has always hounded him throughout his career.

Could he really bring his all-star A game to the table every single night?

After failing to do so in his previous seven seasons in the NHL, Kreider elevated his game to a whole new level this year.

Playing some of the best hockey of his career and putting up 45 points (24 goals, 21 assists) in 63 games, Kreider and the Rangers were dealt an ugly body blow when the wing suffered a fractured ankle against the Philadelphia Flyers just days after committing his future to the only franchise he’s ever known by signing a seven-year, $45,500,000 contract.

However, and while there is still a lot left to prove, Kreider showed tantalizing signs of finally becoming the consistent game-changing talent that he’s always flirted with being.

Again, on-ice talent doesn’t necessarily make you a great leader but, almost certainly a Ranger for life now and having taken an active role in helping to see this rebuild through, Kreider has shown that he can handle the responsibility of wearing the “C” on his chest while still being able to produce on the ice.

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