It’s no secret that the New York Rangers have been one of the NHL’s most disappointing teams in the first half of the 2024-25 season.
Once seen as possible Stanley Cup contenders, the Rangers find themselves in seventh place in the Metropolitan Division with a 20-20-2 record (42 points). With difficulties manifesting on both offense and defense, general manager Chris Drury may be inclined to trade veteran players before this year’s trade deadline.
The team has several prominent players who could yield a good return in the upcoming weeks, but it seems that Drury is more likely to deal one veteran in particular.
According to The Athletic’s Arthur Staple and Peter Baugh, two unnamed NHL executives have identified forward Chris Kreider as the most probable trade candidate for the Rangers as the deadline approaches.
“I’d probably trade Kreider first,” the first anonymous executive commented. “They have young players ready to fill that wing position. (Will) Cuylle could use more ice time, and (Brennan) Othmann deserves a chance. Plus, (Gabe) Perreault is coming up soon.”
If Kreider is traded, he wouldn’t be the first veteran Ranger to leave this season; the team previously traded captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks on December 8 for defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a 2025 fourth-round draft pick.
While there are other players the team could consider moving, the second executive noted that Kreider’s age (33) might influence the decision to part ways.
“Given his age and the trade rumors surrounding him this season, Kreider should be moved,” said the source quoted by Staple and Baugh. “With his current age and injury history, I’m uncertain about what return the Rangers can expect. It likely won’t be as high as they hope.”
Kreider’s current season has seen mixed results. He has only registered 15 points in 34 games, resulting in a career-low production rate of 0.44 points per game. However, he is on track for approximately 31 goals over an 82-game season, indicating he still possesses scoring ability if placed in the right situation.
Kreider’s extensive experience—which includes two All-Star selections, nine 20-goal seasons, and 123 playoff appearances—should attract interest from contenders, despite the possibility that his peak performance is behind him. Over his career, the former 2009 first-round pick has tallied 365 goals and 643 points in 972 games.
It’ll be intriguing to see whether Kreider’s contract poses a challenge for a trade. He is signed through the 2026-27 season with an average annual value (AAV) of $6.5 million, making him more than just a short-term rental for interested teams.
While Kreider’s AAV could be justified if he performs well, it’s evident that such performances are no longer consistent. The Rangers may need to add incentives if prospective trade partners are wary about Kreider’s ability to regain his previous form.
If the situation in New York doesn’t improve soon, the future of Kreider with the Rangers will be a storyline to watch as the season progresses. The NHL trade deadline is set for Friday, March 7, at 3 p.m. ET.
