New York Rangers: Six possible trade partners for Chris Kreider
By Ed Stein
Boston Bruins
The Bruins want Kreider. He’s from Massachusetts, as well as a product of Boston College, and a good sell to the fanbase. Boston went all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals last year before losing to St. Louis in seven games. A player like Kreider on their roster might have made the difference. After coming so close in 2019, the Bruins want to do what it takes to get over the top.
Among those mentioned as players headed the Rangers way are Danton Heinen and Charlie Coyle. Boston is tight against the cap which makes Coyle better for them to trade. He is set to earn the balance of $3.2M this year but inked a six-year $31.5M extension which kicks in next season. That’s enough money to back the Rangers off.
Heinen, on the other hand, is 24-years-old, makes only $2.4M for next season and then is a restricted free agent. Boston’s farm system is as barren as Pittsburgh’s and Tampa’s. GM Don Sweeney will have to part with at least a first-round pick.
St. Louis Blues
The defending Stanley Cup Champions have Colorado and Dallas close on their heels. No doubt they are good enough to repeat, but a little extra couldn’t hurt because the play is going to tighten up in the postseason. With Vladimir Tarasenko on the mend, the addition of Kreider would turbocharge the Blues offense.
St. Louis has the 19th ranked prospect system. It would be great if the Rangers can get right wing Jordan Kyrou, More likely they land Robert Thomas or Klim Kostin. All three are on their entry-level contracts. The Blueshirts would keep control for another five seasons each.
Rangers President John Davidson has personal connections with St. Louis as he ran their hockey operations last decade. It’s not hard to see a deal getting done with the Blues. Once Tarasenko gets back, St. Louis will have almost no cap space, so they will have to get very creative.