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Tortorella critiques Kreider: He was “God awful” in some playoff games

New York Rangers v New Jersey Devils - Game Three

NEWARK, NJ - MAY 19: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers celebrates his third period goal in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Final against the New Jersey Devils during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Prudential Center on May 19, 2012 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

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No doubt about it, Chris Kreider made a splash with the New York Rangers during the 2012 playoffs. Teams don’t send their assistant GMs to “camp out” for just any player, after all.

It doesn’t appear that he’s a lock to make the team’s roster right out of training camp, however.

Tortorella told the New York Daily News on Monday that the young forward is still fighting to make the team’s roster, but the most entertainment came in how he described Kreider’s need for defensive improvement.

“It’s part of it, but it’s his whole game,” Tortorella said. “He’s still young, he’s a kid that came in and played some really good games and then was God awful in some games during the playoffs. And that’s what you expect out of a kid. So we want him to work at all parts of his game, and then we’ll see where it goes from there.”

Torts went on to praise his “gift of skating,” so it’s not like he was merely negative about the Boston College alum.

For what it’s worth, Kreider seems to agree that he’s not a sure thing.

“I don’t feel settled,” Kreider said. “I’m not proven, but I feel like I’m pushing myself. I’m not settled. I like that, though.”

Tortorella isn’t known for making it easy on anyone, really, so Kreider should probably get used to the challenge.