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Chris Kreider Has Been a Major Disappointment for New York Rangers

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Anthony Gruppuso - USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Gruppuso – USA TODAY Sports

It absolutely pains me to type this post, because I am huge Chris Kreider fan. But the truth must be told: he is absolutely terrible this season.

Many fans and prognosticators predicted huge things from the talented 24-year-old winger this season, namely 30-plus goals and 65-plus points. He was supposed to become the impact player that would finally push his New York Rangers to a championship. Not only has that not happened, but Kreider looks like a shell of his former self on the ice. And now, there are calls for him to be benched for a few games.

In 27 games this season, Kreider has 4 goals and 11 points. His point total is the lowest among the Rangers’ top liners this season, and it figures to get worse if this current funk does not end soon. Recently, Kreider owned up to his poor play on the ice and his drastic need for improvement. Right now, it is all talk, because it clearly has not translated into action. He continues to look tentative and indecisive on the ice, he does not bring the physicality that has come to agitate opponents in recent years, and he is not burying whatever scoring chances he gets (a putrid shooting percentage of 7.4 percent). Right now, he is riding a six-game pointless streak.

Simply put, for a team with championship aspirations, this is not going to cut it. The Rangers are counting on Kreider to be the impact player that wins Stanley Cups the way guys like Patrick KaneAnze Kopitar, or Evgeni Malkin have been in recent years.

Are Kreider’s struggles mental? It certainly appears so. Is he playing hurt? Only he knows. Regardless, Kreider needs to pull himself together, otherwise more questions about his game will be raised, and even worse, questions about his future as a Ranger will be raised.

Kreider is a restricted free agent following this season. He will be due a huge raise. For the already cap-strapped Rangers, it is going to be interesting to see if general manager Jeff Gorton will be willing to provide that raise given Kreider’s recent play. If his regression continues, then as painful as it may be, the Rangers may need to explore a trade deadline deal involving Kreider. It will be difficult for the Rangers to deal with, but this is the reality of the salary cap era.

If Kreider does not step up his game quickly, the difficult questions will grow louder. Eventually, Gorton may be forced to make a critical decision.

Matt Stillwell is a New York Rangers contributor for www.rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattNYR12!

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