Already out there, but: Kreider Agrees to 2-Year Deal with Rangers (NEW YORK) — Restricted free agent winger Chris Kreider has avoided arbitration and agreed on a two-year contract with the New York Rangers. ESPN reports Kreider will make an average of $2.475 million annually. Kreider was selected by the Rangers with the 19th overall pick in the 2009 NHL Draft. Last season, the 23-year-old scored 17 goals and dished out 20 assists in 66 regular season games for the Blue Shirts. The Rangers and Kreider came to terms just before their arbitration hearing that was scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday.
considering he did that on one line where he finally flourished? One of the guys is gone too? Agreed.....risky stuff.
Rangers didn't have much of a choice, we need centers and there aren't any available. At least the cap is going to go up next year. Would be nice to unload Nash for some prospects
SNY article on Danny Kristo: 24 years old, a little bit undersized, he had issues staying healthy last season in Hartford, and he is apparently inconsistent and pretty lackluster away from the puck...
I don't know if I should feel good about the Rangers heading into the season or not. Kreider-Stepan-Nash Zuccarello-Brassard-St. Louis Hagelin-Miller-Stempniak Glass-D. Moore-Fast That Top 9 looks good. If Miller struggles, I think Lombardi would take his place. 4th line worries me. Fast has very little experience in the NHL and Glass is the worst player in the NHL. Moore is good, but the fourth line wingers are not nearly as good as they were last year. McDonagh-Girardi Staal-Boyle J. Moore-Klein Looks good. The only difference from the end of last season is Boyle instead of Stralman. Boyle's defense isn't good, but he gives the Rangers an element on the PP that they haven't had in recent years. If Boyle struggles, then Klein can play on the second pair and Boyle can be moved down to the third pair. Lundqvist Talbot Best 1-2 goalie punch in the NHL. Is that a team that can get back to the Stanley Cup?
Not sold on Miller, I think Lombardi will be 3rd line center...still need a 4th line wing, Carcillo or Penner?
I say yes because they play in the East, and have excellent coaching and a very fast skilled team. They're not as big as some of the other teams and lack closers, but no other team besides the Bruins are noticably better. Glad Ulf wasn't poached, what we REALLY need is Nash to ake the fuck up, and Stepan/Kreider to progress. The whole team needs to work on taking the shot and hitting the net
Miller is the Rangers top prospect and he was a first round pick. He's also dominated the AHL by putting up over a PPG as a 20 year old. I really think that the Rangers are going to give him every chance to show that he deserves to play. Its not like Lombardi, Lindberg and Kristo are great options. Kreider also struggled initially when he was in and out of the lineup so frequently like Miller. I think Miller will at least get 40 games to show what he can do. I have a hard time believing that they won't give him an extended look, especially considering that the other options aren't that good. I think the fourth line RW is going to be Fast. It seemed like they were going to bring back Carcillo, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. Fast can do the job.
Nash needs to be the player to step up his production. He's been such a huge disappointment. I also look forward to seeing a full season of MSL. Kreider's development will be key, and Stepan needs to get back to being the player that he was in the lockout shortened season.
That would be sweet GG but the rest of the league is on to Nash too. Nash could be like an Arod, of course to a lesser extent....this year. Scores a decent amount of goals during the regular season to secure a nice playoff spot before disappearing in the playoffs. I would take that in a minute. Just that a guy that plays his style....a style which has no peers...its unexplainable...big plodding center that hits nobody...all that can happen from here on is that he continues to get slower and slower. If he finds a way to score 25 to 30 goals? I would jump at it....before he becomes a glorified 4th line player in the playoffs. I hear you about Broussard...or however you spell it. This should be an interesting year to watch and see if he can elevate his game a bit more. If he does....hey...the guy has talent. No doubt. Dying to see what he does this year.
Man....Kreider is going to be huge this year. Does he take that major leap? Does the speed match the finish? Does he continue to be a guy that develops into a big pest...an agitator? Most importantly can he be a 25 plus goal scorer. His game is vital to this team...its huge.
