This offseason presents the New York Rangers with a pivotal decision and sentiment shouldn’t be part of it. While Chris Kreider has long been a franchise staple and fan favorite, it’s time for the Rangers to seriously consider trading him.
General manager Chris Drury has already shown he’s willing to make tough calls on veteran players, as seen with Jacob Trouba and Barclay Goodrow. And the fact that Kreider’s name appeared in Drury’s trade memo to other GMs last November signals he may already be planning to move on.
Why Moving Kreider Makes Sense
Kreider’s production dipped to 22 goals and 30 points this past season, a notable decline from the 30+ goals he tallied in each of the three years prior. At 34 years old and coming off multiple injuries, it’s uncertain whether he can return to that high level. While there’s hope that new head coach Mike Sullivan could spark a resurgence, betting on a bounce-back season could be a risky gamble.
Despite his iconic status he’s one of only three Rangers to reach 300 goals and is on the brink of breaking several franchise records the organization can’t afford to be sentimental. If the team once traded a legend like Brian Leetch, Kreider shouldn’t be considered untouchable.
Salary Cap Relief
The most pressing reason to trade Kreider is financial. He carries a $6.5 million cap hit for each of the next two seasons. With the team already tight against the cap and needing to re-sign key RFAs like Will Cuylle, K’Andre Miller, and Matt Rempe moving Kreider’s contract would provide much-needed breathing room.
Even with a 15-team no-trade clause and limited market interest for a veteran winger with injury history, Drury has pulled off similar cap-clearing moves before. Ideally, he can do so again without retaining salary.
Creating Space for Young Talent
Trading Kreider would also open up roster space for promising young players like Gabe Perreault, Brennan Othmann, and Brett Berard. Though none are guaranteed roster spots, removing a veteran like Kreider creates opportunities for these prospects to earn meaningful roles. It also makes room for players like Cuylle or Alexis Lafrenière to potentially step into more prominent roles, including on the power play.
Time to Reshape the Core
The Rangers’ current core, centered around Kreider and Mika Zibanejad, has been together for years. They’ve had regular-season success but have repeatedly fallen short in the playoffs. Last season’s collapse against the Panthers showed the need for change. Trading Kreider isn’t a knock on his leadership it’s about sending a message that a new era is underway.
In short, while Kreider’s contributions and legacy are undeniable, the Rangers’ best path forward includes tough decisions and parting ways with Kreider should be one of them.
