Get the Inside Scoop on the Rangers Like Never Before!
Jump on Post Sports+ for exclusive subscriber benefits, including instant chats with Mollie Walker about the latest juicy intel on the Rangers.
Rangers Forward Chris Kreider Hopes He Escapes Tag of Injury-Plagued Individual as Injury-Riddled Season Concludes for New York Team
Dive in NowThis season was a rollercoaster ride for Chris Kreider, to say the least.
From a barrage of injuries, findings himself at the center of a league-wide trade dispute, and the toll it all took on his on-ice performance, it was clear that the longest-tenured Ranger was feeling the strain in the locker room at MSG Training Center on the team's breakup day.
The thought that it may have been one of his last times in that locker room as a Blueshirt added to the thick air in the room.
"Make no mistake, this place is my home," Kreider, who still has two years left on his contract with a 15-team no-trade clause, confessed. "This organization took a chance on me and allowed me to live out my dreams. I've built countless friendships and have grown up in this city. Needless to say, I want to stay here and help this team however I can and win hockey games."
Given the way the Rangers' season unfolded, there's an expectation that major changes will be made.
Kreider was just one of several high-profile players who underperformed this season, finishing with his lowest point total since the 56-game 2020-21 season (22-8-30).
The 33-year-old provided some insight into the reasons behind his struggles on Monday.
After spending the first half of the year trying to figure out his persistent back pain, which he detailed in November as back spasms, Kreider came down with a strange illness following the Christmas break that affected the inner part of his ear and caused vertigo.
Once he returned with some semblance of a rhythm, Kreider sustained an injury to his left hand during the team's first game back from the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off on Feb. 22.
He'll have to consult with a hand specialist to see what the best course of action is, but surgery might be necessary.
"It was late in the third period, against Buffalo, with the score 7-2," he recounted of the incident. "I was trying to bank a puck, and I felt some pressure from behind. As I jammed my hand up, I caught bone, tendons, and muscle – quite a few things. I managed with plenty of tape for a couple of weeks, but it might need some attention over the next few weeks."
Since Kreider isn't tied to a full no-move clause like Mika Zibanejad or Artemi Panarin, the Massachusetts native becomes an easier trade option.
Rumors swirled earlier in the season about the Rangers' president and general manager, Chris Drury, already reaching out to other teams to explore trading Kreider and former captain Jacob Trouba – a move that was confirmed via a league-wide memo to GMs soliciting trade partners.
Kreider has consistently maintained that such discussions are nothing new, but he still did his best to show up and do his job.
Check out our expert analysis on the Blueshirts
Join Larry Brooks' Inside the Rangers, a weekly Sports+ exclusive.
Thank you
Please provide a valid email address.
By clicking above, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter!
Discover more newslettersSeveral other players expressed their thoughts on how the trade talk affected the locker room, as well as the departures of Trouba and alternate captain Barclay Goodrow.
Kreider, as part of the leadership group as an alternate captain, admitted that it was difficult to navigate the losses of those two players.
"It's part of professional sports, but you can only ignore the elephant in the room for so long," he stated. "I've used the word multiple times, the challenge lies in managing all of this while focusing on doing the job to the best of your ability. Those are two giant leaders for us and crucial parts of our locker room. I just think things change quickly, and it's about finding a new normal."
What are your thoughts? Share your opinion.
"Beyond the hockey, they were just two good people," Kreider added. "Not just for the team, but for the community as well. They made a positive impact on us all."
- Chris Kreider voiced his desire to remain with the Rangers, despite the trade talk and the difficult season he endured, due to a back injury, an ear illness, and a hand injury.
- Despite the 15-team no-trade clause in his contract, Kreider's name has been floated in trade discussions, making him a potentially easier trade option compared to Mika Zibanejad or Artemi Panarin.
- Kreider, along with other players, expressed that the ongoing trade talk and the departures of Jacob Trouba and Barclay Goodrow had an impact on the locker room.
- The Rangers experienced a challenging season, with several high-profile players, including Kreider, underperforming, leading to expectations of major changes in the team.
