Larry Brooks of the New York Post reports that Chris Kreider -- the Rangers’ 2009 first-round pick that played for Team USA at the 2011 World Men’s Hockey Championships -- could be making his NHL debut this season.
Brooks spoke with Rangers GM Glen Sather following the NHL trade deadline, during which Sather alluded to adding “people who are probably going to turn pro at the end of the school year” to the roster.
That seemed specifically directed at Kreider, who is in his junior year at Boston College (and, it must be mentioned, was one of the prospects Sather reportedly refused to part with during negotiations for Columbus’ Rick Nash.)
More, from The Post:
“Absolutely,” [Sather] said, when asked if he expects the 6-foot-3, 225-winger who presents an uncommon blend of size, speed, power and touch, to leave Boston College at the end of the season.
“Absolutely,” Sather repeated, when asked if he intends/expects to sign Kreider in time for him to play this season.
If the Rangers do sign the 20-year-old, the first year of Kreider’s three-year Entry Level contract would be burned regardless of whether he plays a single game for the Rangers or even is placed on the NHL roster.
That is not a deterrent for Sather. It could, however, be additional incentive for Kreider, who has taken an accelerated course load and who is dedicated to getting a degree, to leave school before graduating. The next collective bargaining agreement is certain to feature a more restrictive Entry Level system.
The possibility of bringing Kreider aboard is a big, somewhat unprecedented move as few players have made the leap from college hockey to the NHL in the same season. Columbus defenseman Jack Johnson pulled the trick in 2007 after his University of Michigan team was eliminated from western regionals, but he joined a pitiful Kings team (third-worst in the NHL) and only played five games.
Kreider’s situation would be far different.
If he goes directly to the NHL, Kreider would essentially join the Rangers on the eve of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Boston College is ranked No. 1 in the country and has a good shot of making the Frozen Four, which will be played Apr. 5-7 -- the same weekend the NHL regular season ends.
That said, Kreider is unique in that he has experience playing with professionals. He notched three points in seven games at the 2011 WHC playing on a U.S. team featuring Paul Gaustad, Mike Komisarek, Blake Wheeler, James van Riemsdyk, Kevin Shattenkirk, Cam Fowler and Rangers teammates Ryan McDonagh and Derek Stepan.