New York Rangers Daily: Agree to disagree about Chris Kreider; Auston Matthews has his playoff moment
Though most readers agreed with my take Friday that now is the time for the New York Rangers to move on from Chris Kreider, there were others who steadfastly believed otherwise.
This was my favorite reply on X (formerly Twitter) because it was so simple and direct:
Another reader accused me in a since-deleted tweet of having something personal against Kreider, making me a bad reporter.
Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. Unlike that person who posted that tweet, I actually know Kreider. I was there the day he was drafted in Montreal, sat with him on the charter when I worked for the team, saw up close how he handled the early ups and downs in his career, met his parents, traveled back to Boston College with him to hear his collegiate tales. He’s met my son, and always asked about how Ryan was doing in school and in baseball.
Chris Kreider is a really good dude. I’m fortunate that I’ve been able to watch his journey up close all these years, and get to know him.
This isn’t to say we’re best buds. But it is to show that I know the person and the player, and it wasn’t easy to write that article. But I really do believe the Rangers are best served by trading him. And you know what, maybe it’s best for him too. How pained (outside of the actual physical pain he felt) and uncomfortable did he look this season? Miserable. He knew, and still knows, that the organization doesn’t want him anymore.
Kreider can still play. Even in his off year, Kreider still scored 22 goals. And if he’s healthy, Kreider could be a solid bounce-back candidate next season. I get all that. But there are plenty of reasons why it’s time to move him now.
I won’t map out them out here, just read the story (link in next section). We can agree to disagree, but it’s certainly not personal and I do believe it’s a very fair analysis of why the time is now for the Rangers to move on from Kreider.
LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to our videos, including the Rink Rap podcast, at the Forever Blueshirts YouTube page
New York Rangers news
There’s no time to be sentimental. Here’s why it’s time for the Rangers to trade Chris Kreider this offseason.
Breaking down the pros and cons for the Rangers when considering free-agent forward Adam Gaudette.
Here’s why former team president John Davidson believes the Rangers will bounce back and “make some noise” next season.
NHL news and rumors
Sportsnaut: Here are the key takeaways after the Toronto Maple Leafs staved off playoff elimination with a gritty 2-0 road win over the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers in Game 6.
TSN: The Maple Leafs may be without one of their more important players for Game 7 against the Panthers on Sunday. Forward Mathew Knies was injured in the first period Friday after taking a reverse hit from Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola and is questionable for the series finale, per Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube.
TSN: The Edmonton Oilers will be without injured defenseman Mattias Ekholm and goalie Calvin Pickard to begin the Western Conference Final. Ekholm’s been out the past month with an undisclosed injury and Pickard missed the past three games.
Sportsnet: Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn was fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for roughing after he punched Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele during a scrum in Game 5 of their playoff series Thursday.
Ottawa Citizen: Bruce Garrioch reports that the Senators and Clause Giroux have started talks on a new contract before the 37-year-old forward becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1.
Hockey News: Washington Capitals great Nicklas Backstrom signed a contract to play in Sweden next season, attempting to come back after he missed two seasons following hip resurfacing surgery.
The Fourth Period: Dave Pagnotta reports that the Vegas Golden Knights are making it a priority to extend star center Jack Eichel, who has one year remaining on his contract.
NHL.com: Rick Tocchet was introduced as Philadelphia Flyers coach and explained that his new team has “a lot of tools” which intrigued him enough to take the job.
Yahoo Sports: Former Rangers forward Reilly Smith said he’s hoping to work out a new contract to stay with the Golden Knights after the Blueshirts traded him there ahead of the deadline in March. Smith can be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
WATCH: Auston Matthews scores the most important playoff goal of his career to help save the Maple Leafs season in Game 6 against the Panthers.
More About:New York Rangers News