Rangers News: Kreider Shoots Down Rumors He Is Leaving BC
by Joe Fortunato on May 17, 2011 9:48 AM EDT
in New York Rangers Analysis
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Earlier this year Rangers top-flight prospect Chris Kreider told media members he planned on returning to Boston College for his junior year.
Obviously, the Rangers media ate it up, especially after John Tortorella made comments about wanting him on the team this upcoming season.
Yesterday, rumors started running wild that Kreider had told BC officials he was going to go pro. Our good friend Andrew Gross spoke to Kreider and set the record straight. (Click the link to read the whole article, it's great work as usual.)
Just got off the phone with Kreider, who announced in April he would be returning for his junior season with Boston College, and the Rangers' first-round pick in 2009 said nothing has changed for him.
In other words, the rumor is not true.
Kreider did add that the "decision to go back for my junior season" was valid "as of now," which made it sound like that could change.
More after the jump.
It's not surprising Kreider left the door open to leave Boston College and come to the Rangers. Especially after Derek Stepan and Ryan McDonagh made such a splash in their rookie seasons with New York, both assuming key roles on the team and becoming fan favorites.
What is surprising is another piece of information Gross acquired from Kreider.
But Kreider said the decision wasn't as tough a decision as one might believe.
"There wasn't an offer on the table," Kreider said. "If (the Rangers) have been in touch with my agent, I'm not aware of it. They haven't been in touch with me at all."
Tortorella made it clear he wanted to see what Kredier could do with the big club earlier in the year. There is obviously a place for Kreider on the team, since goal scoring is still an issue for the Rangers. So why haven't the Rangers reaced out to him yet?
Maybe Glen Sather has been focusing on some of they key RFA's the Rangers currently have (Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan, etc.) before he focuses on someone who can't be signed away by enemy forces. That's honestly the way this should be handled, especially when you have such big name players as RFA's. Kreider isn't going anywhere. The others potentially can.
Kreider, especially, garners excitement from Ranger fans because of his scoring prowess. And, let's face it, he's the first true sniper in the system since Alexi Cherapanov, who tragically passed away in 2008.
And why shouldn't Rangers fans get excited over Kreider? We all got a look at what him and Stepan can do on a line together when they lead the United States to gold in the 2010 World Junior Championship.
Eventually, when the Rangers extend a contract offer to Kreider, which I fully believe they will do, he will re-evaluate his current standing. I'm sure he has been in contact with Stepan and McDonagh about what it's like with the Rangers, and I'm sure he's especially talked to McDonagh about what it was like going from the AHL to the NHL; since that's a possible rout Kreider might take.
But don't get discouraged because Kreider wants to be patient, if he decides to remain in Boston College. It's a good thing that he doesn't want to overexert himself. He said it before, when he comes to the NHL he wants to be able to make an immediate impact.
If it takes another year in college so be it.
Thoughts?
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From what I’ve seen watching him in the Worlds, both Juniors and the IIHF, there is no question in my mind he could contribute, also the Impact of playing in world tournaments by Stepan helped him survive a full NHL season, which would be the first doubt surround Kreider maybe needing a year in the AHL, but he looked good all year… I think the Rangers would be crazy not to at least offer him a contract….
Here’s to hoping he signs an NHL Contract in the coming months…
@clalicata17
Seeing him in the WC, I thought he could use another year in college followed by another year in the AHL.
Another year in College is a waste
Get him to the AHL
by BuckarooClub on May 17, 2011 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
totally agreed Buck, If not NHL, definitely AHL. I can’t wait for this kid, its unreal.
by CrazyRangerFan on May 17, 2011 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed, didn’t look ready for prime time.
Thought i do think AHL would be a better place for him, there are worse places to be than BC.
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on May 17, 2011 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I think everyone knows the AHL would be better than college but that is his personal choice and has to be respected. As you point out, BC isn’t a bad place to spend a 3rd year.
Well, I’m not that big on his ‘personal choice’..;if the NYR thinks he is better off for his development and the development of the team then he should listen to them, hard.
I mean I don’t think Hartford was Redden’s personal choice, why do we not respect that?
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on May 17, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
When I saw Gross's tweet last night
My first thought “Good for Chris sticking to his decision”
My second thought “Well this should liven things up on the Banter”
My third thought “I’m hungry”
"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
Fourth thought: “Do they still serve Bloomin’ Onions?”
@DigDeepNYR
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
get out of my head Dig
"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
then following the logical path, the fifth thought must've been
“shouldn’t have had the bloomin’ onions OH CRAP IT’S COMING OUT LIKE LIQUID FIRE AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA”
@joereiter
Blueshirt Banter
"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?"
“LIKE ANGRY LAVA COMING OUT OF THE PUCKERING MEAT FAUCET THAT IS THE END OF MY DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.”
I took it too far, didn’t I?
@DigDeepNYR
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
just a bit too far
"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
puckering meat faucet. The name of my firstborn son.
@DigDeepNYR
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
lucky kid
"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
puckering meat faucet
sounds like a great name for a band
@joereiter
Blueshirt Banter
"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?"
I think Kreider will turn pro next season. Why would he go back to College? To prove that he can score a ton of goals? He’s ready to become a pro and if he needs some time with the Whale so be it.
He would go back to college because he likes it there.
Don’t forget, he’s still a kid.
"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!!!
How do you know he’s ready to become a pro. At this point, he hasn’t shown that he can dominate at the college level.
Put his stats to some no-name prospect from another organization, and I doubt any of their fans would be clamoring for him to join the pros.
what no name prospect? give some evidence to back up your statement.
by CrazyRangerFan on May 17, 2011 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Was being hypothetical
I’m saying Rangers fans are hyped up to see Kreider in a Blueshirt, when he hasn’t shown that he is an outstanding player at the level at which he’s currently playing.
No-name Player X with a line of
2009–10 Boston College 40 gp 17g 9a 26p
2010-11 Boston College 32 gp 11g 13a 24p
wouldn’t get many fans of any fanbase excited for his arrival. Yes, Kreider has scored goals in international tournaments, but I think his dominance needs to be established on a consistent basis at BC before we assert that he’ll be the answer to the Rangers’ offensive woes.
I don’t want him to be rushed. Hopefully the BC staff is coaching him well. I’d rather the Rangers allow him to develop naturally, lest 7 years from now everyone equates him to Hugh Jessiman.
Like Frankie Valli once said...(Oh, won't you) STAY!"
Believe me, I’m as excited as the next NYR fan for Chris to come to NY, especially after watching the WC, but speaking more as a responsible adult, he should definitely stay put and finish up at BC.
First off, while it’s certainly possible to go back and get your degree after your career ends (see also Richter and Nieuwendyk, among others), its way easier to do it when the subjects and material are fresh in your mind. Plus, there are alot less outside distractions to deal with (i.e family, recent retirement emotions, 2nd career decisions, etc.) that make finishing up that much more difficult later in life.
Second, AHL and/or NHL experience next year can be beneficial for sure, but it could also have a detrimental effect (see also MDZ). I’m not saying the two of them have the same level of maturity, desire, work ethic or long-term talent. The point is, one more year, in the grand scheme of things, will not make a huge difference for him or us in a rebuilding organziation. In fact, without many savvy veterans in or near the locker room to serve as mentors, except for maybe BU-grad Drury, who did win the Hobey Baker as a SENIOR but is a ? for next season, or perhaps even BC-departee Leetch, it could work more against Chris than for him. But that point is somewhat debateable if he happens to bond well with the rest of our youthful core.
Third, there is always the risk of injury during an athetic career and regardless if you believe a college degree is important or not in a struggling economy, it would certainly behove Chris to have that diploma in his back pocket if something unfortunate were to happen during his playing career.
So all-in-all, I say he should stay, gain even more confidence and experience, plus finish what he started, and then be able to comitt 100% to NYC w/o the unfinished business of a pending college degree hanging over his head.
Sorry, don’t mean to be an ass but why do I give a shit about Krieder and his education? now if i were his parent I would be singing a different tune, but I am a NYR fan and my team used it’s 1st rnd pick on him. If they think his development is better served elsewhere, I respect THEIR decision.
Lindros made a ‘personal decision’ to no play for the team that drafted him and he was crucified. If Henrik made a ‘personal decision’ to go play in the SEL to be closer to his family, people would freak!!
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on May 17, 2011 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions
You said it, not me...
…as far as being an a**
As for anyone who wears a Ranger jersey, unlike you, I see any player – past, present or future – as 1) a human being and 2) a professional hockey player hopefully playing on my favorite team. I’m fairly certain most Ranger fans feel the same way otherwise, truth be told, #9 would not be hanging from MSG’s rafters.
That being said, Lindros was a bratty a**h*** because, unlike Chris, he did not choose to stay in juniors or go to school or pursue some other life-long dream. He whined like a spoiled brat b/c of the particular NHL team (Que) that drafted him and he wanted take his puck and go play for a different NHL team (NYR/PHL). Totally different case entirely.
You are correct about Henrik, though, but hey could ya blame him, especially after the very valid points he made at break-up time a month ago? He is in his prime years, for sure, and is now surrounded by a rebuilding, albeit hard-working, but offensively challenged organization that plays on a 200 × 85 foot ice surface. Why not pull a “Jagr” and head East with shooters shooting from further away at this point in his career? I, for one, would be pissed no doubt, but I certainly wouldn’t be surprised and my anger would not be directed towards him. The fact of the matter is that, as solid as our core looks now and for the future, we still haven’t traded for/drafted a solid starting goalie-to-be who’s developing in the wings to take over for Hank (Biron notwithstanding) regardless of how long he ends up playing with the team. And so help me, if Montoya proves to be that guy and does it for NYI, I will be furious. In any event, remember, Hank was drafted 205th overall in the SEVENTH round, for goodness sakes! Not exactly a blue-chip, can’t-miss prospect, at least on paper so, we’ve bascially lucked out that he’s performed the way he has from the get go.
The bottom line is: regardless what Chris ends up deciding, let’s just hope that it’s the best decision for all involved – him, his family, BC and NYR players and fans :)
I don't think you have to worry about Montoya
He is terrible, inconsistent and unsound technically..that’s a horrible combination. Agree that Hank’s replacement is probably not in the system right now. You may see a goalie or two taken in the draft.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on May 18, 2011 4:44 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I've been called worse
Trust me, I know they are human beings and can appreciate that fact. But every player makes sacrifices and nobody says a peep about them. So he misses year of collage, something that he can complete at a later date. What about the players that miss time with their family, their kids? They can never get that time back. What about sending Redden to Hartford when he just had a baby?
Replace BC with KHL and tell me you would react the same. A 1st round draft pick that chooses to stay in the KHL to ‘develop’. I really don’t think we would be hearing they same support. I assume since there are a lot of young fans on this board, going to college is something they can relate to so they can understand and support that decision.
And yes Eric seemed a bit immature but you could also argue that he was looking out for his financial well being and wanted to play in a market that could support that or give him a better chance to earn more. It really isn’t that far off with your argument that staying in college helps C’s financial future. also none of us know why CK wants to stay in college. Maybe its for the parties and girls ;)
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on May 18, 2011 5:47 AM EDT up reply actions
If Kreider completing his degree right now is going to matter, then we don't need him.
The only way that degree matters for his NHL career is if he tanks, and needs to get a job other then ‘hockey player’. If he’s going to be the top player we drafted him to be, he shouldn’t be using that degree for 10+ years. From an academic standpoint, you could argue that leaving KNOW would be ideal, since the first two years (that he’s completed) would get his Gen Ed out of the way, and if things don’t work out, or he wants to be like Richter, and have a second career, he could complete a degree in two years. If you think forgetting the stuff he learned SO FAR is going to hurt him, imagine not applying ANYTHING from his degree for over a decade, then going back to it.
by BuckarooClub on May 19, 2011 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions
come on Kreider go pro we need you
Bruce Carter+Sean Lee=BRUCE LEE!!!!
by Archie Barberio on May 17, 2011 3:15 PM EDT reply actions
DAMMIT
this sucks as a Ranger fan that GOES TO BU this sucks TWICE AS HARD lol
I listen to Enter Sandman before taking exams. I wear the exact same jersey every Giants game. The Rangers goal song goes off in my head when I achieve small successes in life.
HEN-RIK
by BombersGmenBlueshirts25 on May 17, 2011 10:13 PM EDT reply actions
If the kid doesn’t think he’s ready, then don’t rush him. Let’s look at the prospects we’ve rushed the past decade or so:
1. Michael Del Zotto
2. Evgeny Grachev
3. Manny Malholtra
4. Jamie Lundmark
The jury is still out on MDZ and Grachev. Malholtra took years before he found his game as one of the best 3rd/4th liners in the game, and Lundmark played for 4 NHL teams and 5 AHL teams AFTER the Rangers before landing in Sweden this year.
The rule of thumb is let the kid dominate the previous level before signing him. Neither Grachev nor MDZ dominated when they left Juniors (good numbers =/= dominating). For example…Christian Thomas dominated this year.
problem
is that in BU they play all lines equally, so he is not getting legit 1st line minutes… if 60 minutes is spread evenly you won’t have the no 1 line on the ice dominating constantly… He dominated during the college tourney play, when he got the minutes, thats why it’s time to turn pro and get real experience and ice time…
@clalicata17
by Clalicata17 on May 18, 2011 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Just thought of this
Would we all be in an uproar if Kreider played in the CHL, not sure about the rules but I am surprised he didn’t go there to play and then get drafted
"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
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