After a scary incident with a blood clot, and subsequent surgery to relieve the pressure, Chris Kreider has been medically cleared to return to the New York Rangers lineup. Though he won’t travel with the team for their game tomorrow, he could join the lineup this weekend.
Kreider will be returning to a club that has made it clear big changes are on the horizon, and could watch several teammates traded in the next few days. Even he could be moved, though his injury likely wards off potential buyers until they can see that he’s completely recovered. Kreider has two years remaining on his contract at a cap hit of $4.6MM, and would be an interesting option for teams looking for a big scoring winger
The Rangers are now six points out of a playoff spot and falling fast in the Eastern Conference, winners of just two of their last ten games. While Kreider’s return will give them a boost offensively, the writing is on the wall for the rebuilding club. Barring a huge turnaround, they won’t be back in the playoffs in 2018.
Amazing news! Being able to return so quickly should bode well for his future health as well.
Good for him regardless of impact on NYR. I’m sure they will listen to offers before the draft but unless he looks great over the final month it will be hard to get full value.