1/14/20 | On TSN Tuesday, Darren Dreger spoke of Chris Kreider and said:

• “Chris Kreider’s name remains front and center. There are still going to be contract discussions, perhaps negotiations with Rangers management but it’s assumed that Chris Kreider is likely going to be traded. Of course there is interest in this power forward and there is a sense that the Rangers will be willing to retain as much as 50% of the salary. if that is the case and the deal is right, you could look at some of the big dogs like the St. Louis Blues, maybe the Boston Bruins to take a run at Chris Kreider.”

Larry Brooks wrote in the NY Post that it would be in the Rangers best interest to extend Kreider and have him remain a Ranger.

He says that there has still not been any “substantive conversations” with Kreider’s agent about an extension. (NY Post)

Brooks speculates on whether a deal similar to the one Anders Lee signed over the summer with the Islanders, 7-years, $7 million cap hit per season would be enough to keep Kreider with the Rangers. (NY Post)

Kreider has 9 goals and 8 assists in the last 17 games.

Adam Rotter: There is no doubt that the Rangers are a better team with Chris Kreider. That is true now and probably true for a number of years, if not the entire length of his potential next contract. It just doesn’t seem like it works cap wise. It’s very similar to the Kevin Hayes situation last year. The Rangers were and would be better if Kevin Hayes was still with them but locking him in at the level he signed for with Philly (7-years, $7.1 million cap hit) would bolt him into a spot and block Filip Chytil, Brett Howden and, at the time Lias Andersson, from taking on bigger roles. It’s similar to Mats Zuccarello and it’s likely why Kreider will be moved.

What the Rangers are going to try and accomplish with a potential Kreider trade is to land them a young forward already in the NHL or a high-level forward prospect that can either step in now or by next season. Trading Kreider isn’t about getting picks or prospects that may help in 3-4-5 years, it’s about getting someone like Brendan Lemieux who can step in and take a big role as the Rangers continue to build. Maybe they can also squeeze a first round pick or picks, especially if they are going to retain salary, but the focus is essentially getting someone who can step in and make a contribution now. Kreider is the best rental forward on the market, which works in the Rangers favor, but they will need to find the team that matches up best quality wise rather than quantity wise.