Lock him up
Time short for Rangers-Kreider deal
The last time Chris Kreider filed for arbitration, two years ago, the winger and the Rangers reached an agreement on a two-year deal worth $2.475 million per within an hour or so of the scheduled hearing.
In other words, there still is time for the parties to settle on their own this time, too, before Friday’s scheduled hearing in Toronto.
But it is a little more complicated now because Kreider is just two seasons away from unrestricted free agency. That means the Rangers would seek a one-year award if it goes to a hearing. If the matter is arbitrated and Kreider has a big year, his price would skyrocket next time with free agency around the corner.
Hence, it then would become more difficult and far more expensive to lock up the 25-yearold long-term.
Both parties submitted their required briefs Wednesday morning. Kreider is asking for $4.75 million. The Rangers’ ask is $3.2 million. The large divide signifies little of significance, however, with assigned arbitrator Sylvia Skratek able to pick any number after the sides present their respective cases.
One would expect a ruling of approximately $4 million if it gets to that.
Actually, an additional downside of going through with a hearing would be if the Rangers felt the need to beat up Kreider metaphorically in order to justify their number.
Kreider, still a work in progress, recorded 21 goals in each of the past two seasons, though he needed a late rush to hit that total in a largely disappointing 2015-16. But young power forwards with his size, speed and upside are few and far between in the NHL — and coveted throughout the league.
The parties are in ongoing negotiations concerning a four- or five-year deal that would buy out Kreider’s first two or three years of unrestricted free agency. It is believed the Rangers are offering in the neighborhood of $4.75 million per with Kreider seeking approximately $5.25 million per.
The Rangers have approximately $10.325 million of available cap space, pending agreements with Kreider and Kevin Hayes, whose arbitration case is scheduled for next Wednesday. That number presupposes a shadow roster of two goaltenders, seven defensemen and 14 forwards. The forwards include Oscar Lindberg (who is expected to be on injured reserve for the first month of the season), Pavel Buchnevich, Nathan Gerbe, Tanner Glass and Josh Jooris as well as the obvious incumbents.