Chris Kreider (New York Rangers)
A trade for Chris Kreider may end up being foolish on the Boston Bruins’ part. Chances are they have to over-pay for him, possibly even to the point of giving up their first-round pick.
While it’s all well and good to suggest that is basically a second-round draft pick by the end of the year, there are still good players available at that early stage of the Draft.
John Beecher was picked at 30th overall and looks to definitely have a future in the Boston Bruins line-up after college.
There’s obviously two ways to look at a Chris Kreider trade and one of those is that he could prove the difference on the second-line in much the same way Coyle and Johansson proved the difference on the third line last year.
That he brings a game that couples point production with the required style of gritty, slightly abrasive hockey makes him an ideal addition ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
It’s not that often that consistent 20-goal, 50-point guys are outside of the play-off bubble, hence why he’s touted as such a strong pick-up.
On the flip side though, he’s a pure rental as his price next season would likely prove too high for the Boston Bruins. He would also require the team to shuffle their wingers around, given he plays left-wing and not the right-wing spot we’re seeking to fill.
All in all, while he’d be a great addition, I rate him as a B if the Bruins were to acquire him at the trade deadline.