November has been tumultuous for the New York Rangers. After their most recent loss, the team has won six contests and lost five this month, including an active three-game losing streak. While good teams go through poor stretches, this feels different for the Blueshirts. Specific players make the same mistakes over and over again. It feels like this core might have run its course.
A Hard Pill to Swallow
Before the Rangers lost to the St. Louis Blues at home on Monday, it was reported by Elliotte Friedman that the Rangers were open to making major changes. He named defenseman Jacob Trouba and forward Chris Kreider as potential candidates to be moved. General manager Chris Drury reportedly attempted to move Trouba over the summer. Many fans would welcome a trade of the polarizing captain. However, Kreider's situation might not be received as well.
The 33-year-old Kreider has been a career-long Ranger. After being drafted with the 19th overall selection in 2009, Kreider debuted against the Ottawa Senators in the 2012 playoffs. He scored a game-winning goal in game six to force a game seven, which the Rangers won. Over the next 13 years, he would go on to establish himself as a playoff riser, and one of the best goalscorers in team history. He currently sits third all-time in goals by a Ranger, with 313, trailing only Rod Gilbert (406) and Jean Ratelle (336). More importantly, he is the all-time team leader in playoff goals with 48.
Kreider has had an odd start to the 2024-25 campaign. In 19 games, he has scored nine goals while failing to record an assist. He picked up an upper-body injury against the Edmonton Oilers, and missed Monday's loss to the Blues. Featuring on the much maligned top-line, Kreider has struggled to play to the standards of himself, the fanbase, and the organization.
Why a Core Trade Makes Sense
If the Rangers want to make major changes to their core, Kreider is the player who would be most enticing to franchises looking to make additions for a playoff run. He can still play at a high level, and, as mentioned previously, is a proven playoff riser. He has two more seasons remaining on his contract, with a reasonable cap hit of $6.5 million. Other stars, such as Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin, have prohibitive contracts that would be difficult for teams to fit under the cap. Panarin would be sought-after, but if the Rangers still aspire to compete in the coming years, he should not be moved. Zibanejad's play has fallen off a cliff, making his contract exceptionally difficult to trade.
Kreider would likely bring back the best crop of NHL-ready assets for the Rangers. It is clear the team still plans to compete this season. If they were satisfied with simply making the playoffs, management would allow this group the opportunity to "figure it out." This is clearly not the case.
Saying goodbye to Kreider would be difficult for all involved. He has embodied the spirit of the Rangers organization for over a decade, and has provided a number of incredible moments that fans will not be quick to forget. Number 20 will likely hang in the rafters of Madison Square Garden someday. Until then, it might be best for it to relocate to a temporary new home.