Boston Bruins: What would Chris Kreider bring to the team?
By Luke Ryan
Chris Kreider has been heavily linked with a trade away from the New York Rangers, with the Boston Bruins routinely mooted as a possible destination. What exactly could he bring?
The Boston Bruins are lacking a little in terms of toughness this season, as well as missing that key component to pair with David Krejci on the second line. Chris Kreider could be the perfect option to tick both of those boxes for the team.
Although he is listed as a right-winger, there would likely be the option to deploy either him or Jake Debrusk on their off-side if they were to form a second line grouping for the Boston Bruins.
Why does he appeal so much?
Firstly, he’s a Massachusetts native and although home state or home town doesn’t always mean anything; there has been a certain trend in recent seasons to bring players back to the state; Charlie Coyle being the obvious name that springs to mind.
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Secondly, he plays a Boston Bruins style game; he’s willing to get dirty in front of net and more than willing to throw himself about should it be required of him. Too often this season, we’ve lacked a clear-cut physical presence (that isn’t named Zdeno Chara).
Third, he’s actually putting up decent numbers this season; 27 points in 42 games isn’t half bad for the 28 year-old Kreider, who has flirted with 40-50 points every full NHL season he’s played in New York. This sort of secondary production is exactly the boost the Bruins need.
The key thing going against him is the fact he’s on a $4 million contract and will be a free agent this summer. We’ve seen a willingness in the past for the Bruins to bring in deadline rentals; Coyle (though he still had a year left) and Marcus Johansson last year, for example.
Both of those players proved successes, but only one scored a renewal. For the Boston Bruins to pull off any deal for Kreider, it’d require the New York Rangers taking on some salary and no doubt such a move would then require a prospect or higher draft pick come into play also.
David Backes would be the obvious option to offload, but given the size of his contract and the fact he still has term left, the New York Rangers will be seeking a major sweetener. In fact, it’s reasonable to suggest that the Bruins would also be expected to retain salary if he was the key piece.
The New York Rangers aren’t exactly flush with cap space, what with their $11.6 million a year deal for Artemi Panarin and the $8 million they’re paying Jacob Trouba, not to forget the $8.5 million tied up on a rapidly ageing Henrik Lundqvist.
Fact is; Kreider would bring a lot of useful things to the Boston Bruins line-up; experience, scoring and a willingness to get stuck in. Finding a way to make it work is the challenge and that’s on Don Sweeney and his staff to suss out.
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Personally, I think it’d be great to see Chris Kreider in a Bruins uniform, even if it is only for the tail end of this season. However, I don’t want to see it if the cost is too high.