The Rangers have had brief discussions regarding a possible contract extension for Chris Kreider, GM Jeff Gorton told reporters, including Larry Brooks of the New York Post. The winger has been fairly consistent offensively over the past three seasons, averaging between 0.64 and 0.71 points per game in that span. That type of consistency is hard to find among power forwards which will put him on track for a sizable raise on his current $4.625MM AAV; Brooks suggests Kreider’s next contract will check in at $6.5MM per year or more. If that’s a price tag that New York doesn’t want to pay, it’s possible that his name will come up in trade discussions in the coming days.
More from the Eastern Conference:
- The Senators are hoping to trade winger Mikkel Boedker, reports Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch, who notes that there is mild interest from some teams. The 29-year-old picked up 35 points in 71 games in his first season with Ottawa but as a team that’s clearly in the middle of a rebuild, he’s someone that’s not going to be in their long-term plans so if the opportunity arises to move him for younger assets, it’s one that GM Pierre Dorion will likely look to make. Boedker carries a $4MM cap hit through 2019-20 but his salary checks in lower at $3MM. Garrioch adds that defenseman Ben Harpur could be a trade candidate in the coming days with his spot on the roster potentially looking tenuous for next season.
- Still with the Senators, former Oilers assistant coach Manny Viveiros is in the running for a spot on Ottawa’s coaching staff, notes Postmedia’s Jim Matheson. 2018-19 was his first season in the NHL after previous stints with Swift Current (WHL), Germany, and Austria.
Going to make a bold and completely unlikely prediction:
if he reaches July 01, Sens offer sheet M. Tkachuk at 8.3 million per season.
I’d almost be shocked if they didnt dip their toes in the RFA
waters. They have a ton of draft picks next year so losing their own isnt a death sentence and they need talent and to spend to reach the floor. could offer Johnsson or Kapanen an offer sheet and only surrender a 2nd rounder in all likelihood.
If they move Boedker and Ceci I think they could eat 2 bad contracts in order to reach the floor. Backes and Marleau? Buy out both?
Toronto would probably like Ceci’s play in their lineup and the Sens could definitely use Marleau’s vet presence in theirs. The only problem is his NTC will most likely kill that. What’s with these types of contracts for old players.