New York Rangers' Prospects: Chris Kreider Edition
by Joe Fortunato on Nov 1, 2011 3:00 PM EDT
in New York Rangers Prospects
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As announced on August 1st, prospect guru Russ Cohen will be giving us some insight on some of the New York Rangers' top prospects and draft picks. For those of you who don't know Cohen is an author http://www.amazon.com/Russ-
This installment Russ talks to us about Chris Kreider, one of the biggest gems in the Rangers' farm system right now. Does Russ agree with that?
Click below the jump to find out.
Chris Kreider is Coming Soon by Russ Cohen
Chris Kreider is a 6-3, 225 pound pivot who has a world of talent. Some Rangers fans were upset he decided to go back to college for his third season but many times that has to do with a players desire to stay in school and honor his commitment for as long as he feels he can.
Boston College is an elite NCAA program so his progress won't be stunted by playing there. It's been a while since the New York Rangers have produced a real offensive star forward but this guy has the goods, and he has a knack for playing at his best in big games, like his World Junior Championship performance to help Team USA claim a bronze last winter.
With all of his international experience, plus college playoff dramatics including a Frozen Four win, he has a lot of big-game experience. He is a leader on and off the ice and he has the necessary grit to play in the NHL. He carries himself like a pro and all of these experiences will benefit him when he's ready to play at the NHL level, and that time is coming.
He was a first rounder and he should live up to the billing and then some. He has a well above-average wrist shot, which looks to be an important offensive tool for the Boxford, Massachusetts native and he's terrific on the power play. His broken jaw did affect his offense late in the season last year (11G, 24pts in 32 G) but this season he has 11 points in his first eight games.
He is on pace to have his finest season yet and that means the Rangers could sign him when his college season ends if they choose to do so. He will be 21 in April, which means he could get some brief time with Connecticut for sure.
At the end of the day, because of the Rangers log jam at the center position, he could end up playing the wing. His success in the face-off circle will probably decide this but for now he is a very versatile player who can play a variety of roles.
His skating is solid, his one-timer is pro material and he has the hockey sense. Now all he needs is time to hone his skills and patience from the Rangers and their fans. The worst thing that can happen to a young player is to be rushed into something that they aren't quite ready for. We all saw that happen with Michael Del Zotto, is still just 21. For every Jeff Skinner and Sidney Crosby who can make a club right out of the gate there are scores of other players who need additional work in the AHL before they can play at the NHL level and there is no shame in that, that's the norm. Lately, some clubs are giving younger players longer looks at the NHL level because they are "cap friendly".
The Rangers are doing things right with this player and he will pay dividends down the road.
Russ Cohen is an author http://www.amazon.com/Russ-
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Great stuff. I was one last year to say: if he doesn’t have a big year in the next season, then I’ll start worrying. He’s off to a great start, and I’m glad to be hearing good things about him still.
We don’t have any big guys with significant skill in the forward department – I love that he brings size, skill and grit. People point to Dubi as filling this role for us, but Kreider is even bigger and more skilled. Awesome.
Is Kreider playing center this season?
He’s been a LW until now. Unless he is playing center now, I am not sure why he would be considered for a center position with the Rangers.
I wish there was some elaboration on the comment “he has the hockey sense.” That always has seemed to be the big question about Kreider. I am curious whether his hockey sense has improved or whether Cohen disagrees with the critics who question his hockey sense. I can say from watching the WJC that, at least as of a year ago, Krieder’s hockey sense was less developed than Bourque’s, who was always in the right place at the right time, although Kreider’s speed, skill and strength allowed him to make up for lapses in positioning.
That said, it is great that he is off to a big start this year. Last year I don’t think he had a point through the first 4 or 5 games. This season, as an upper classman, it was important that he step up and become a dominant college player if he was going to be an impact player at the NHL level in the not too distant future. And it looks like he’s done it.
From what I've seen this season
he’s been playing on the wing, I didn’t even know he was drafted as a center till I read this
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
oh ok, I didn’t realize he played center
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
He plays left wing
but I’m pretty sure he was a center at Phillips Andover. I’ve never seen him at center at BC though.
I think you're right about his high school position
But most top forwards play C early in their amateur careers, just like most top non-pitchers in baseball start out as shortstops. I don’t think he’s played C for BC or in any of his international tournaments. Not do I recall the Rangers ever talking about him as anything other than a wing.
by LJR on Nov 2, 2011 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
From what I have seen
The kid has more than just the above average shot and speed. He has the ability to take on defenders and use his big body to box them off the puck while in the offensive zone and create offense. Chris is something the Rangers have been lacking for a long time, a strong top line presence that can skate and shoot with the best of them. Can’t wait till he’s on broadway
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
Can’t wait until kreider gaborik and Richards play with eachother. That will be fun to watch.
We are going to go to Philadelphia... and we are going to win.- Glen Sather
by RichieToGabbySCORE on Nov 1, 2011 5:34 PM EDT reply actions
i think richards will continue to play with the pack wingers
you are more likely to see him play with gaborik and stepan or gaborik and anisimov
Kreider-Stepan-Gabby would be fun
Kreider and Stepan played a little bit together in the WJC 2 years ago when they (and Bourque won gold). They were usually on separate lines, but were on the ice together when the championship-winning goal was scored.
by LJR on Nov 1, 2011 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions
at least we’ll get a couple of 2nd rounders and a career AHL guy for him
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
Second rounders are valuable, and Horak’s doing very well so far this year.
Way to early to call him and a career AHL guy.
Be fair.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
Horak, career AHLer?
I’m sorry but I have to totally disagree with that. I had some pretty high hopes for the kid with us, although I would’ve made the trade also and am happy with Erixon, Horak should be a pretty good player with a decent NHL career.
Proudly suffering as a Ranger fan.
LOL, you watch my friend. Horak will surprise you. He’s got elite skill. Whether that translates to the NHL we’ll see. He’s very, very talented. He got hurt which set him back a little but the skills are there.
nah I’m just messin’ – you may very well be right about Horak. I always figured he’d be a solid role player on the 3rd line, but he certainly could be more.
I’m just glad we’re not talking about him like we gave him away for nothing, because in the past, that would have been the case. And if the trade ends up being win-win for both teams, that’s cool with me.
So far Kevin has said Chris Kreider is a 1st liner and Horak is a career AHLer.
I don’t understand how its possible to make both of those assumptions. He claims small sample sizes mean nothing in terms of Horak being productive, but apparently even smaller sample sizes mean everything in terms of judging Kreider’s future career.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
this site is rife with inconsistent arguments
it’s like politics; every issue has two predominant points of view and all “arguments” are bent towards them.
you guys all need to relax
if you read the original comment…you would realize that it was a joke, you take stuff way to seriously
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
I just believe when we overrate our own players so much, and set such high standards, where just setting ourselves up for disappointment.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
agree on that. teams and fans tend to over-rate their own players and prospects. HOWEVER, and this coming from a long-time pessimistic Ranger fan, I believe that we have the best prospects in the pipeline that we have ever had. whether they pan out or not is another story but I believe some of these players really have the goods to make it and contribute on the big club down the road. Kreider, Thomas, McIlrath, Fasth, Hagelin, (not sold on Bourque), etc. being among them. All will not be top 6 or top 4 D but there’s room at the bottom half of the club to be productive.
Agree all around. A lot of teams would kill to get what we have in the pipeline. Some teams have absolutely no players ready to make the jump, and we have enough to make several lines.
Talking about fans over rating players, you would not believe what some Toronto fans proposed to get from us for Franson. Yes, Kreider’s name did come up, lol. (Sorry LOL!) One that sticks out in my mind was Prust for Franson straight up. Now on paper, it might look good, but in real life no way.
PRUSTOSTERONE!!!
"Stepan, step in, step out" Timothy Leary
Scott Gomez, the gift that keeps on giving!
by nathansfamous on Nov 4, 2011 2:43 AM EDT up reply actions
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