Why Chris Kreider should remain a New York Ranger

Chris Kreider has been the topic of many discussions, and at times, there were rumors that he might be traded. However, Kreider has been a longstanding member of the team and has had many great seasons. He has contributed with goals and leadership to newer players. Although this season wasn’t his best season, it was also not a great season for the New York Rangers as a whole.

Kreider is the longest tenured player on the Rangers. Kreider has played an immense 1,006 regular season and playoff games combined over 14 seasons. His story begins with him stepping out on the NHL ice, debuting as a New York Ranger during the Stanley Cup playoffs. He has seen this team leap high and low during the years he has played.

Over time, Kreider became an impressive leader to his fellow teammates. He also played role-playing games with new guys on the team. Kreider is valuable for his performance on the ice as well as his long-standing experience as a Ranger player. The new kids look up to him, as a veteran player he's an example to follow. Since he has only been on the Rangers team, it’s all he’s ever known. New York is home to him, and he said this to the media on exit day at Madison Square Garden.

"I mean, this is home for me. This is the organization that gave me an opportunity to live out my dream. I’ve developed so many incredible relationships and grown up and spent in this area. So, obviously, this is where I want to be and this is the group I want to help in whatever fashion and win hockey games"

Chris Kreider

This 2024-25 season was been an off year for the Rangers. They didn’t make it to the Stanley Cup playoffs, something they had done the previous three seasons. And now they are out. It’s over until the next season arises. Kreider didn’t have the luckiest year. He suffered many injuries, from internal to external, and had to sit out 14 games. This 33-year-old played through these injuries and tried his best. He got the short end of the stick with all his unlucky injuries. Kreider managed to have some decent stats for the end of the season. 

Kreider may have had fewer goals this season (22 in the 2024-25 season)  compared to 39 the previous season, but he was still the third-leading scorer on the Rangers. The team was just the definition of bad this season, and nobody can put all the blame on Kreider. There were significant changes to the roster that, in the end, probably shook up the team in a way that they couldn’t perform properly on the ice to be winners.

During the NHL trade deadline, there was talk of Kreider being on the chopping block. His name wasn’t safe, and fans were unsure if he would be a Ranger anymore. Thankfully, the trade wasn’t about Kreider because he is a leader, and the team can’t afford to lose another leadership role in the locker room. Kreider even spoke out on exit day about how the trade of Jacob Trouba and Barclay Goodrow shifted the air in the locker room. Now that the season is over, fans are speculating that, again, Kreider might not be safe. 

Was the 2024-25 season the last time to see him in a Ranger jersey? Kreider is a prized possession on the roster. They can’t take that away when they've already taken away former leaders. And look where that got them: eliminated from the playoffs. Being a joke of a team, when the Rangers are an original six franchise and should be the best team, isn’t what they wanted.

Matt Rempe, who is relatively new to the Rangers, appeared in 42 games this season after just playing 17 last season. Rempe shared what Kreider means to him. Rempe stated that Kreider is one of his best friends and hopes that he stays on the team. It appears that not even the players know what the future is for Kreider. 

Krieder should remain a Ranger. The elimination was not his fault, and getting rid of him won’t make the team a winner. The connection and trust of the team will help the team improve. Kreider can bring the best he can in the next season. This summer, he intends to get in the best shape and be as healthy as he can. The potential is there. Kreider isn’t just on the New York Rangers; he is a big part of the team. Since he has only ever been on the Rangers, he has proven his loyalty. No one wants to see him leave. The fans and the team hope to see him in his beloved Rangers jersey. Kreider has two more years on his contract, and he has two more years to prove to New York that he is a name to be reckoned with.