New York Rangers: Is this finally Chris Kreider’s breakout year?

It isn’t often that an NHL player at the ripe age of 30 finally hits his breakout season, but that very well could be the case for Chris Kreider of the New rk Rangers.

For the speedy winger who is now in his 10th NHL season all with the Rangers, has recorded 11 goals through the first 15 games to start the 2021-22 campaign. While it is unlikely that Kreider continues this torrid pace, he could be in the ideal position to break the narrative that has haunted him throughout his career.

It is widely known in the hockey community that Chris Kreider’s name is almost synonymous with inconsistency. A player who stands at 6’3” and currently weighs in at around 220 pounds combined with the blazing speed that Kreider possesses should score a minimum of 30 goals every season, and that is speaking conservatively.

Yet, it seems far too often that Kreider’s unique ability evaporates thus leaving his presence on the ice nearly obsolete. However the quick start to this season may render that tale old news.

Can Kreider continue scoring?

As Kreider’s identity has been discussed at length during his time in the NHL, the streakiness at which he accumulates his goals has always been understood.

Thus, it may be easy to assume that history will repeat itself leaving Kreider to provide his best Harry Houdini impression and provide a remarkable disappearing act for the audience.

Although there remains one difference between this year and previous seasons, and that is the fact that the Boxford, Massachusetts native has contributed while playing in different positions up and down the lineup.

For most of his career, Kreider has been stapled to the left side of Mika Zibanejad and previously Derek Stepan. With his switch to the right side, the veteran has now proven he is at the very least capable of producing while playing the off wing.

The one question that remains is whether or not Kreider’s even strength scoring can reach a new level, or if the power play will be his main source of contribution. It is an indisputable fact that seven of the 11 goals Kreider has recorded this year have come with the man advantage.

It should also be stated that the Rangers power play struggled to begin the season. As of recently however, their power play has seen some improvement now operating at a fairly efficient 21.3 percent. This jump start to the power play may lead to an even greater increase in scoring opportunities for Kreider.

What this means for Kreider is that while the Rangers power play overall has struggled, he has been able to sustain some element of consistency. The counterpoint to the circumstance is that Kreider has been able to fill the net only four times at even strength with the season already being 15 games old.

The preponderance of power play goals coincided with the arrival of Artemi Panarin. Since he joined the team three seasons ago, Kreider has scored 27 power play goals.   In the seven seasons before that he scored a total of 38 power play goals.

It remains to be seen whether Kreider can continue scoring readily throughout the year, but his start has certainly inspired some confidence. His skating combined with his effectiveness in front of the net has been evident and continuing to utilize those attributes will hopefully equate to prolonged success.

Room for improvement

If there is one feature that the 30-year-old can add to his game to assist in scoring even strength goals, it is shooting accuracy. It would not be inaccurate to state that Kreider oftentimes attempts to scoot down the wing and shoot the puck through the goalie as opposed to around him.

I may not possess a doctorate in chemistry or physics, but I can say with relative certainty that one cannot shoot the puck through the opposing goaltender. Not even Shea Weber of the Montreal Canadiens is endowed with that special ability while armed with that cannon of a slap shot, and it sure seems like he has tried.

If Kreider can adapt his game and more specifically change the way he shoots the puck, perhaps he can pick the corners of the net more often with his quick release. Adding more accuracy to a shot that reaches such a high velocity would make for a lethal combination.

Furthermore, developing a chip-and-chase style of play that could utilize Kreider’s size and speed effectively may help him with entering the offensive zone. Doing so may provide the entire team with chances to get the puck to the net where Kreider can really work his magic.

That amendment to Kreider’s style of play is not restricted to him individually. It must be a team-wide change, and thus far they have not steadily displayed the capability of doing so.

Now that his 10th season is underway, Chris Kreider is once again showing he can score in bunches. Stop me if you have heard this before, but it is essential that he maintains consistency and relieves himself of the hot and cold identity that has hovered over him since he entered the league back in the 2012-2013 season.

If the Rangers have any intention of making the playoffs, they will need all hands on deck. The disappearing act of Chris Kreider must be an occurrence of the past if that intention is to become reality.