Are The Rangers Really Considering Trading Chris Kreider?

Are The Rangers Really Considering Trading Chris Kreider?

Chris Kreider has been with the Rangers organization since New York selected him in the first round of the 2009 NHL Draft. Now Chris Drury and the front office are considering parting ways.

It’s clear that the Rangers are looking for a spark and have let other teams know that Jacob Trouba and Kreider are available for the right price.

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet was the first to report the development:

In the aftermath of their 6-2 loss in Edmonton on Saturday, the Rangers have made it very clear they are interested in making moves and shaking up their roster. 

Among the names indicated are Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba, although other options will be considered.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) November 25, 2024

Just so this point is addressed, I left Trouba out of the headline because I just didn’t see a point in adding him. It’s not a secret that he’s been on the trade block. Trouba carries an $8 million AAV and has a no-move clause. He’s not going anywhere and he already got into a war of words with a podcast host over this topic. His wife needs the New York area for her job and he’s not leaving. It is what it is.

The Kaapo Kakko konundrum

Kreider, 33, has nine goals in 19 games to start out the 2024-25 NHL Season. That’s after scoring 39 the season prior. I get maybe wanting to cut bait with Kreider before he falls off the cliff but I also don’t know how you replace the role he provides. Kreider is super important for the powerplay as the net front puck deflector guy. If you move Kreider, I’m not sure how you find a replacement to do what he does. There are also three years remaining on his $6.5 million AAV contract. Are you really getting the bang for your buck if you move him considering the price tag he carries? Maybe I’ll be proven wrong here but I’d be surprised if the Rangers actually pull the trigger on something like this.

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