I read with interest this week when veteran scribe Larry Brooks suggested the Rangers need to lock-up pending UFA winger Chris Kreider.
He makes a good point. The 28-year-old is a valuable player, so does it not make sense to keep him around?
I always assumed that the Kreider situation would play out with the Rangers waiting closer to the Feb. 24 trade deadline to make a contract offer and then trading him if they can’t agree to terms. It’s what a lot of teams do.
And as of Tuesday morning, my understanding was the Rangers and Kreider’s agent Matt Keator had not yet engaged in meaningful contract talks.
Brooks suggested a $7-million a year salary on a long-term deal might be enough to keep Kreider around. But I’m not convinced the Rangers are ready to pay that much. I sense that something starting with a six would be more up their alley.
As always, the Rangers would need to weigh the possibility of re-signing him with the kind of trade offers they have on the table. He’s a popular name on shortlists from several contenders from what I can tell. Imagine him with the defending Cup champs in St. Louis, for example? I love that fit.
But the Rangers also want to compete sooner rather than later and heck, they’ve surprised a bit this year in a really tough Metro Division. After a while, trading core guys for draft picks and/or prospects no longer makes sense, if you feel you’re close to taking that next step.
The Rangers are right on that thin line right now, they’re close, but they might also get a nice haul on Kreider.
It’s a tough call. - jimbro83
He’s a strange guy to figure out. When he plays hard, which he has done for the most part this year he’s a big part of the rangers offence. His speed should push back the d more than he does but that maybe because he’s not really a very good stick handler. His hands on shots or breakaways are average but great hands on tips or rebounds.
I’m not a fan of the longer contracts as most don’t work well in the last couple of years. I’d go 6million for 4 years. That probably won’t get it done but that just me.
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But the Rangers also want to compete sooner rather than later and heck, they’ve surprised a bit this year in a really tough Metro Division. After a while, trading core guys for draft picks and/or prospects no longer makes sense, if you feel you’re close to taking that next step.
Seems we're about at that point now. Rather keep Kreider if we can afford him. 6-6.5x5
But the Rangers also want to compete sooner rather than later and heck, they’ve surprised a bit this year in a really tough Metro Division. After a while, trading core guys for draft picks and/or prospects no longer makes sense, if you feel you’re close to taking that next step.
Seems we're about at that point now. Rather keep Kreider if we can afford him. 6-6.5x5 - Fenrir
If he takes that, sure. I honestly gotta say if he wants 7mil+ they need to trade his ass.
He’s a strange guy to figure out. When he plays hard, which he has done for the most part this year he’s a big part of the rangers offence. His speed should push back the d more than he does but that maybe because he’s not really a very good stick handler. His hands on shots or breakaways are average but great hands on tips or rebounds.
I’m not a fan of the longer contracts as most don’t work well in the last couple of years. I’d go 6million for 4 years. That probably won’t get it done but that just me. - way out west
I go back n forth on Kreider. And I still don’t know what to do. Gun to my head I think I’d want to trade him for a younger NHL ready player
Since St. Louis is being brought up by LeBrun, gimme Sammy Blais and Robert Thomas. Or one of them and and a first. Something like that. I see a lot of risk in giving Kreider 7 a year, he’s to inconsistent for me. But he does seem like one of the leaders of the team. It is very much a tough call
If he takes that, sure. I honestly gotta say if he wants 7mil+ they need to trade his ass. - JRR1285
If he played the way he plays once every 7 games I’d be willing to give him 7+. But his consistency is terrible from game to game. If he wants 7+ trade him to STL for Kostin and Thomas.
But the Rangers also want to compete sooner rather than later and heck, they’ve surprised a bit this year in a really tough Metro Division. After a while, trading core guys for draft picks and/or prospects no longer makes sense, if you feel you’re close to taking that next step.
Seems we're about at that point now. Rather keep Kreider if we can afford him. 6-6.5x5 - Fenrir
I just don't see the game passing by Kreider at the later end of the contract. Typically speed and conditioning is what catches up to older players, but we all know that won't happen to CK20. I'm more inclined to be generous on term rather than the dollar amount. I think $6.5M is right around the max I'd pay for a 25G/50P player.
Wonder what’s up with Gallant , he turned the panthers around and now this. He doesn’t come off as a wiener or a hard guy to deal with. Is there something underlying here ?
Wonder what’s up with Gallant , he turned the panthers around and now this. He doesn’t come off as a wiener or a hard guy to deal with. Is there something underlying here ? - way out west
looks to be as simple as they lost 4 in a row and wanna right the ship before they fall out of contention
