Showcase in St. Louis for Chris Kreider at All Star Game
Chris Kreider is an All Star and will represent the Rangers as Artemiy Panarin’s replacement. The 28 year old long time Blueshirt is having an excellent season in what could be his last on Broadway as he steamrolls to unrestricted free agency in July. His 17 goals are 3rd on the team behind Panarin’s 26 and Zibanejad’s 18. And that’s what makes his selection so intriguing.
Showcase In St. Louis
Considering the push the Rangers made on social media with the #VoteMika, you would’ve thought him the automatic replacement. Instead the Rangers are rewarding Kreider for his dedication to the hockey, and the organization. Of course, what better stage to showcase what many insiders now consider the #1 trade target for all contenders at the deadline.
Teams are going to be watching and it will be a great opportunity for Chris to show his talents. The move helps the Rangers increase his trade value and it boosts Kreider’s resume for his next contract negotiations. No matter how you slice it, it’s a win-win.
Trade Destinations
The Avalanche are known contenders, if not leading candidates to land Kreider. The Rangers have scoured them multiple times and Colorado has the cap room, 1st round draft pick, and decent prospects to land him. This past draft, reports surfaced that the Rangers and Avalanche were working on a deal involving Kreider but Avs GM, Joe Sakic would not give up one of his 1st round picks.
Of course that doesn’t mean there won’t be competition as Boston rumors are abuzz about going after the power forward as well. Another outside candidate are the Penguins, but I don’t think they have what it takes to get him. And you always need to keep an eye out the NY South, Tampa.
Now re-enter the St. Louis Blues. Yes, when Vlad Tarasenko went down for the regular season, I wrote about them as a potential landing spot. Here we are with the defending Cup Champs now looking at the deadline and eyes shifted towards Kreider as well. So this weekend let’s the show begin and the trade offers fly.
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