• Loading stock data...
Monday, March 31, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

Chris Kreider’s Late Breakout Is Enormous Bargain for Rangers

  • Kreider leads the NHL with 18 power-play goals.
  • His $6.5 million cap hit is tied for just 84th in the league.
Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula

Chris Kreider has been a reliable if unspectacular contributor to the Rangers since 2009, when they drafted him 19th overall.

Now, his late breakout is providing New York the spark it needs to make a run at its first Stanley Cup since 1994.

The 30-year-old scored his NHL-leading 18th power-play goal of the season in Wednesday’s 5-3 victory over the Blues — the most for any Ranger since Jaromir Jagr (24, 2005-06).

Kreider — the league’s third-leading goalscorer — is proving even more valuable than the Rangers imagined when he signed a seven-year, $45.5 million extension in February 2020.

  • His $6.5 million cap hit ranks third on the team — but is tied for just 84th in the league.
  • It’s significantly less than the hits of either Toronto’s Auston Matthews ($11.6M) or Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl ($8.5M) — the NHL’s co-leading goalscorers (37).
  • Kreider’s 35 goals are a career high, and he’s on pace to top his career points mark (53).

New York currently trails Pittsburgh by one point for second place in the Metropolitan Division and has the 10th-best odds (+2000*) to hoist the Cup.

With a good move or two before the March 21 trade deadline, the Blueshirts could very well compete deep into spring. Their $6.5 million of projected cap space gives them plenty of room to do it.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Kendall Coyne Schofield

Kendall Coyne Schofield Wants More for the Next Wave of Mom-Athletes

The Walter Cup–winning Frost captain says small changes mean “everything.”
Mar 20, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Karter Knox (11) controls the ball against Kansas Jayhawks during the first half at Amica Mutual Pavilion.

Men’s March Madness Sets Opening-Day Viewership Record

CBS Sports and TNT Sports scored big with Arkansas–Kansas.
Hockey

Wild Ask Minnesota for $395 Million Toward Arena Upgrades

The team wants to turn the surrounding area into an entertainment district.
A set of trading cards

New Suit Alleges Fanatics ‘Monopoly’ Increased Trading Card Prices 

The suit also names the NBA, NHL, and NFL as defendants.

Featured Today

Columbia, SC - February 16, 2025 - Colonial Life Arena: Rebecca Lobo and Ryan Ruocco during a regular season game.

Inside Ryan Ruocco’s Rapid Rise to ESPN’s Top Voice of Women’s Hoops

The top voice became “quickly addicted” to calling the women’s game.
Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Chris Youngblood (8) and the Alabama Crimson Tide bench celebrate during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center.
March 29, 2025

How Alabama Became College Basketball’s Newest Juggernaut

The Crimson Tide have found success rivaling their historic football program.
Dec 21, 2024; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) looks to pass the ball against USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) in the first half at XL Center.
March 23, 2025

‘More Value to Be Had’: Were Women’s March Madness Media Rights Undersold?

Could the NCAA have gotten millions more in its latest TV deal?
Mar 20, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; Creighton Bluejays forward Jasen Green (0) dunks the ball during the second half against the Louisville Cardinals in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena
March 22, 2025

Basketball-Only Schools Could See Power Surge After House Settlement Approval 

Football teams might monopolize the revenue-sharing dollars at power conference schools.

Tennis Turmoil: Grand Slams Reject Tours’ Proposal Amid Pay Dispute

The Grand Slams wish to create a “premium tour.”
March 19, 2025

A March Madness Ratings Resurgence May Depend on Cooper Flagg

Cooper Flagg is the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft.
March 21, 2025

Blue Jays CEO Says Guerrero Not Ohtani, but Confident He’ll Sign

Blue Jays CEO Mark Shapiro is optimistic about keeping the superstar.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
March 19, 2025

Pentagon Deletes, Then Restores Jackie Robinson Page Amid DEI Purge

A government spokesperson cited DEI before the page was restored.
Apr 14, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm places the green jacket on 2024 Masters champion Scottie Scheffler during the green jacket ceremony following the final round of the Masters Tournament.
March 19, 2025

Scottie Scheffler Blames LIV for Golf’s Ongoing Schism: ‘Go Ask Those Guys’

The defending Masters champion misses competing with top LIV players.
Asinga
March 18, 2025

Coach of Teen Sprinter Who Sued Gatorade Suspended in Doping Case

Asinga’s case against Gatorade may have just hit a major obstacle.
March 17, 2025

NFL Non-QB Salary Record Broken for 3rd Time This Month. Who’s Next?

The top of the pay scale is shifting faster than ever.