As the New York Rangers prepare to resume playing after a break, the trade talks around the NHL are heating up. Leading the way on those talks is the Blueshirts’ own Chris Kreider. On the NHL network Tonight show, Brian Lawton indicated that he believed that the Rangers would trade Kreider because the “return would be so great” and that Kreider’s talent is wanted by a contender because he is the “perfect playoff player”. So assuming that a team makes a great offer for Kreider, let’s rank the teams that could make that offer and benefit from the playoff veteran.
1. Boston Bruins
This would be the hometown boy returns as Kreider is a Massachusetts native. But it would be more than that as Boston would love his big presence on the second line that they have been missing most of this year. The Bruins are also not afraid to make moves at the deadline. Of note, it was last season when general manager Don Sweeney pulled off two trades that ended up helping his team reach the Stanley Cup Final by landing forwards Charlie Coyle from the Minnesota Wild and Marcus Johansson from the New Jersey Devils.
2. St. Louis Blues
Recently, St. Louis General manager Doug Armstrong says the Blues could be in the market for a top-six forward. Chris Kreider is a top-six forward and he got a little taste of St. Louis during the All-Star game. Time will tell if they are willing to pay the price that others could offer.
3. Colorado Avalanche
Remember the reports out of Denver that mentioned New York Ranger scout sightings at Avs games? As a contender, Colorado would love to have the playoff experience on their top-six.
4. Pittsburgh Penguins
Despite Bob McKenzie saying otherwise, they get this nod due to the injury status of Jake Guentzel, who will be out for four-to-six months after having surgery on his shoulder that he injured in late December. Pittsburgh has indicated that they are looking to find a top-six forward to bolster their playoff run, and Kreider would easily fit the bill. Having a key injury puts a team in a little more desperate state than a team looking just to bolster their roster.
5. Western Canada
Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton could all use Kreider, However, there were some rumblings during the all-star break that Kreider wasn’t really wild about heading out in that direction. These also may be the teams that he has listed in his limited no-trade clause.
6. New York Rangers
Wait…What? It is still possible that the Blueshirts re-sign him. Fellow competitors in the All-Star game have mentioned that Kreider told them about how much he loves playing in New York.
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The Washington Capitals and the Tampa Bay Lightning could have an interest as well, even if it is to keep Kreider away from fellow Eastern Division rivals. He would very much complete these teams for the playoffs.