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What are the New York Rangers going to do at the NHL Trade Deadline?

By Griffin Youngs

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 10: Mats Zuccarello #36 of the New York Rangers skates against the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden on January 10, 2019 in New York City. The New York Islanders won 4-3. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 10: Mats Zuccarello #36 of the New York Rangers skates against the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden on January 10, 2019 in New York City. The New York Islanders won 4-3. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 17: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers celebrates his second period goal against the Chicago Blackhawks at Madison Square Garden on January 17, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 17: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers celebrates his second period goal against the Chicago Blackhawks at Madison Square Garden on January 17, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Chris Kreider

Chris Kreider is far and away the most interesting case to watch on the Rangers as the trade deadline approaches. Considered one of the top tier power forwards in the NHL, as well as having another year left on his contract, Kreider could fetch a kings ransom for the Rangers if they explored traded him. But that’s exactly the interesting part, would the Rangers even trade him? How much are they committed to a full on rebuild?

Kreider is in the midst of his prime years at 27 years old, and is truly doing everything he can for the Rangers as they go through the difficult rebuilding process. He’s got a solid 37 points in 48 games, tying his production from the previous season in ten less games. Outside of pure points, his speed is tremendous for a player of his style, and his 200 foot game is among the best in the world.

The playoff experience Kreider brings is another underrated aspect of his game that would translate very well to any team he could be moved to, especially a younger team like Colorado or Calgary that would get him for this years playoff run and the entire next season.

The Rangers would need to be convinced to trade Chris Kreider before the deadline this season, inherently raising the overall asking price. Kreider is also on a pretty team friendly contract with an extremely reasonable $4.265 million for the next two seasons, which also raises the overall asking price.

The Rangers shouldn’t go actively shopping Kreider, but they need to at least listen to the offers if they get them. If they can a slightly better offer than what the Senators got for Derrick Brassard last season, a deal that included a first round pick, a later round pick, and a mid-tier prospect, the Rangers would have to decide if they are committing to the rebuild, or if they want to be able to compete sooner down the line.

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