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Rangers Report Cards: Grading New York’s Left Wingers

By Marvin Azrak

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 25: Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers looks on during the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Madison Square Garden on October 25, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 25: Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers looks on during the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Madison Square Garden on October 25, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 29: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers celebrates his first-period goal against the New Jersey Devils in Game Six of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 29, 2023, in New York, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 29: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers celebrates his first-period goal against the New Jersey Devils in Game Six of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 29, 2023, in New York, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Rangers Report Cards: Chris Kreider: A (A-)

If we’re talking about players who’ve had their ups and downs this season, look at Kreider. After scoring 52 goals in the 2021-22 season, the winger had a slow start to 2022-23. Yet, while Kreider didn’t reach 50 goals this time, he still managed a solid 36. Interestingly, those 36 goals were the most on the Rangers, but only eight came from power plays.

His 88 goals over the last two seasons are tops on the team. In 2021-22, half of his 52 goals were from power plays, but that dropped to just 22% this season. He was the team leader in 5v5 goals per 60 minutes with 1.14, and his 5v5 points per 60 minutes ranked 7th among skaters with at least 500 minutes on ice per Natural Stat Trick.

Going from an average of 25 goals to 50 in the previous year and then delivering 36 this year is quite a feat, even if he didn’t match his record of 50. In the playoffs against New Jersey, Kreider also stepped up, with six goals (four on power plays) and nine points. While other stars were quiet, Kreider did his part.

The unique part about his game is that most of his goals come off net-front deflections.

Kreider also consistently drives play on the ice. He’s solid in all zones and excels everywhere on both sides of the puck.

At age 31, it might affect Kreider’s top-end speed and acceleration before his strength or net-front skills. However, he’s shifted his game to rely more on his physicality, so he should age well as a player. Kreider is signed for four more years at $6.5 million per season and is expected to finish his career on Broadway. Should that happen, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say his No 20 should be lifted into Madison Square Garden.

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