If Kreider isn’t in the Rangers long-term plans, they need to move him now or at the draft
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Mats Zuccarello was sent packing to Dallas.
Kevin Hayes could be next out of town with the Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets and Boston Bruins believe to have interest. The New York Rangers could be interested in Flames prospects Andrew Mangiapane and Juuso Valimaki.
Rangers Chris Kreider knows it’s all part of the business, especially when it comes to pending free agents.
If the Rangers are wanting to land a young, top prospect from someone, it might have to cost them Kreider who has a year left on his deal at $4.625 million.
The Nashville Predators have Eeli Tolvanen. The Toronto Maple Leafs have talked to the Rangers about Kreider.
“I try not to think about it,” Kreider said. “It’s nothing that I can control.”
The Rangers are eligible to start contract extension talks on July 1st. They should already know if they’d be willing to do a five- or six-year deal at around $6.25 million.
If the Rangers are not willing to commit to something like that, they need to trade him now or at the draft.
Areas of Need for playoff contenders
Travis Yost of TSN: Looking at some areas of need for contenders heading into the deadline. (Yost goes into more depth for each, but we’ll just give the quick note on what help he thinks they could use)
“Arizona Coyotes: Upgrades within the top-six forwards
Boston Bruins: Upgrades within the bottom-six forwards
Buffalo Sabres: Finding a Marco Scandella replacement
Carolina Hurricanes: Jordan Staal insulation
Columbus Blue Jackets: Upgrades within the bottom-six forwards
Calgary Flames: Upgrade to the third defence pair
Colorado Avalanche: No obvious targets, but Erik Johnson’s ice time could use some displacement
Dallas Stars: Upgrading the second defence pair
Minnesota Wild: Defensive depth upgrades
Montreal Canadiens: Jonathan Drouin insulation
Nashville Predators: Displacing Kevin Fiala’s minutes
New York Islanders: More forwards, more forwards, more forwards!
Pittsburgh Penguins: Separating Jack Johnson
San Jose Sharks: Goaltending
St. Louis Blues: Displacing Jay Bouwmeester’s minutes
Tampa Bay Lightning: Uh, probably nothing
Toronto Maple Leafs: Drawing down Patrick Marleau
Vegas Golden Knights: Finding a second-pairing option and impact forward
Washington Capitals: Help at the fringes
Winnipeg Jets: Improving the middle six”
