The dust has barely settled on a New York Rangers season that fell disappointingly short of expectations. Missing the playoffs after being touted as Stanley Cup contenders at the start of the 2024-2025 campaign has sent shockwaves through the organization, and the word on Broadway is that significant changes are on the horizon. General Manager Chris Drury has a busy offseason ahead, and one name consistently surfacing in Chris Kreider rumors is the veteran power forward himself. Could #20 be donning a different jersey come the 2025-2026 NHL season? Let’s dive in.
The Salary Cap Squeeze: Kreider’s Contract in Focus
It’s no secret the Rangers are navigating a tricky salary-cap situation heading into next season. As Peter Baugh of The Athletic astutely pointed out, the Blueshirts are facing a crunch, and Chris Kreider’s $6.5 million average annual value (AAV), which runs through the 2026-27 season, represents a significant chunk of their payroll. Finding cap flexibility is paramount if Drury intends to retool this roster effectively, and trading Kreider is undeniably one of the more direct routes to achieving that.
However, moving a player of Kreider’s stature and tenure isn’t straightforward. He possesses a 15-team no-trade list, granting him considerable leverage. Kreider could strategically limit his list to teams lacking the cap space to absorb his full salary, or perhaps teams not on his preferred list of destinations. This could corner the Rangers into a few less-than-ideal scenarios: retaining him against their cap-clearing wishes, placing him on waivers (a highly unlikely and risky move for a player of his caliber), retaining a portion of his salary in a trade (which partially defeats the cap-clearing purpose), or a buyout. A buyout, as Baugh notes, comes with its own set of financial implications: a cap hit of approximately $3 million for 2025-26, ballooning to $4 million in 2026-27, and then $1.5 million for each of the two subsequent seasons. That’s a bitter pill to swallow, though potentially a necessary one.
Expert Analysis: Weighing Kreider’s Value and Potential Landing Spots
From my perspective, the situation is nuanced. Baugh suggests that if Kreider is open to a new beginning, he and the Rangers could collaboratively find a trade partner. It’s a theory I subscribe to. While his 2024-2025 season was reportedly hampered by injuries, which likely complicated any in-season trade discussions, the man is a warrior. He still managed to hit the 20-goal mark for the tenth time in his illustrious NHL career – a testament to his scoring prowess and resilience even when not at 100%.
A fully healthy Chris Kreider remains a valuable commodity. Think about it: we’re talking about a player renowned for his net-front presence, particularly on the power play, his blistering speed when he gets the jets going, and his veteran leadership. Contending teams are always on the lookout for experienced wingers who can provide secondary (or even primary) scoring and bring a physical edge. If he can prove he’s past the injury concerns of this past season, the idea of him potting 30 goals again isn’t far-fetched. He’s a unique blend of size, speed, and scoring touch that doesn’t grow on trees.
The challenge for Drury will be finding a team that:
- Is on Kreider’s approved list (or can convince him to waive).
- Has the cap space to accommodate his $6.5 million AAV, or is willing to get creative.
- Is willing to offer a return that makes sense for the Rangers, who, while needing cap space, won’t want to give away a franchise stalwart for pennies on the dollar.
Teams on the cusp of contention, or established contenders looking for that one missing piece to bolster their top-six or power play, should be kicking tires. A club that perhaps underperformed on the man advantage or lacked a consistent net-front threat would see Kreider as an immediate upgrade. The question remains: will Kreider, a player who has only ever known the Rangers, be willing to facilitate a move for the betterment of the team’s future, or will he exercise his contractual rights to stay in New York? It’s a delicate dance, and one that will be a major storyline this NHL offseason. The Chris Kreider rumors aren’t going away anytime soon.
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