I was working the front desk at Wright’s Gym yesterday, tending to business, when I received a text from PP colleague Caleb DiNatale about Chris Kreider-to-the-Penguins rumors.
His cryptic comment?
God please no.
With all due respect to Caleb, I beg to differ.
I’d love to acquire the Rangers’ winger. Especially for the suggested (and too-good-to-be-true) price of defensemen Ryan Graves and Matt Grzelcyk.
Before I begin my ramble, I need to explain that I’ve always had a predilection for power forwards. Kreider certainly fits the bill. The Boxford, Massachusetts, native stands 6’3” and tips the scales at 230 pounds. He can skate, too. Kind of a latter-day version of former black-and-gold great Kevin Stevens.
Lest you think that last statement is hyperbole? Over the past three seasons the hulking left wing has banged home an Artie-esque 127 goals, including a career-high 52 in 2021-22. Although he’s tailed off a bit this season (11 goals), it’s not as if he’s fallen off a cliff, production-wise.
While it’s true Kreider makes a lot of his hay on the power play (picture a much larger version of Patric Hornqvist and Jake Guentzel), he’s no slouch 5v5. His production and possession stats are decent. Perhaps most important, he’s traditionally been on the ice for a lot more goals for than against. While some of that can attributed to the fact the Frank Zappa-look-alike has played on strong teams, it’s fair to say he’s doing something right.
Potential drawbacks? Kreider isn’t a great playmaker or puck-handler. Shortcomings that could be overcome by teaming him with Evgeni Malkin, who loves to lug the puck. And sometimes he forgets to move his feet.
He’s no spring chicken (33) nor is he cheap ($6.5 million AAV through ’26-27). However, if we were to part with Graves ($4.5 million AAV) and Grzelcyk ($2.75 million AAV) it would just about balance the books.
Peddling two defensemen might seem counterintuitive given the banged-up (and talent depleted) state of our blue line. Too, Grzelcyk has been a surprisingly good partner of late for Erik Karlsson, a development that’s not to be taken lightly.
However, Marcus Pettersson and rookie Owen Pickering aren’t expected to be out long, and the Pens could call on Sebastian Aho in a pinch provided he clears waivers.
If the Rangers sought, say, Michael Bunting as part of the package?
I’d have second thoughts.
But provided the price is right, I’d love to get Kreider.
The Other Rick
I’m not sure you can get JT Miller from Vancouver without giving up a 1st round pick plus a prospect. Also, I
agree Miller probably isn’t the player we should be chasing.
Hey Mike,
Although I wouldn’t want either trade, and in the case of any other GM I would agree with you, but even though JR robbed Chicago with his Scuderi for Daley trade, he has also lost trades just to get players he has history with so I can see JR trading Miller for Pettersson, Jarry, and McGroarty, before I could see NYR trading Kreider, within their own division for Graves and Grzelcyk.
Actually, at this point, I would rather see the team bite the bullet and shoot for a top 5 pick. Neither Kreider, nor Miller, nor just about any other potential trade (short of a Mulligan) that would move the needle on the Penguins chances at winning a Cup. The team’s obstinate clinging to Sullivan and his inverted system and their mantra of 1 more run for the past 7 years of 1 more run have condemned this team. Barring a miracle, our Penguins appear to be in the same doomed boat as the Wings and Hawks due to their short sighted and refusal to retool while their was still a chance to retool, compounded by their trading away of draft picks for veteran bums and poor use of the picks they did keep.
Hey Rick,
I first saw the Kreider deal when Joe S showed it to me.
First, I can’t imagine anyone but Sullivan wanting Grzelcyk, so I really do not think there is much here, other than wishful thinking. Also, Sullivan’s system, or lack thereof, has totally ruined any trade value Graves may have. If Kreider is on the block, pretty much every other team in the league can top that deal. The only way I could see NYR going for that lunacy is if they were trying to crash and burn and get a shot at Hagens in the draft.
If there is any deal that is plausible out there, from what I have heard is that JT Miller wants out of Van and our buddy JR loves to trade for players he drafted or has some connection, so I could see some sort of deal involving Pettersson, probably McGroarty and I would demand he take Jarry in the deal. Miller isn’t a player I want, but I do want to get rid of Jarry and would pay that price to dump that clown.