Player Discussion Chris Kreider

[Captain Lindy]

Chris was on the Michael Kay show yesterday.

The Michael Kay Show - Chris Kreider: 1/25/22 | ESPN

I know this a post from a few days ago but thanks for posting that! Great interview!!

 

[Captain Lindy]

It’s almost hilarious the way he peeled away from the play. Just noped out on a 2-on-0 against an empty net.

He knew if he skated up there with Panarin he would have passed him the puck so he peeled away thinking, "He's got this!"

 

[Blais to Win]

Not bad company to be in

View attachment 502959

Holy crap Bill Cook DID NOT PASS.

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A big difference for him is that he finally has a supporting cast that plays to his strengths around the net. A guy like Kreider thrives when he's got great support. Zibanejad and Fox, passing and setting him up, are vital. Now he's got them long term.

 

[Lgrsean]

Holy crap Bill Cook DID NOT PASS.

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A big difference for him is that he finally has a supporting cast that plays to his strengths around the net. A guy like Kreider thrives when he's got great support. Zibanejad and Fox, passing and setting him up, are vital. Now he's got them long term.

This is why I think he'll be able to produce close to this level throughout the season. It also opens up Mika's shot and rebounds a bit when the goalie has to be worried about the pass to Kreider all the time.

 

[Blais to Win]

This is why I think he'll be able to produce close to this level throughout the season. It also opens up Mika's shot and rebounds a bit when the goalie has to be worried about the pass to Kreider all the time.

You look at Holmstrom and he had his best years, playing netfront, in his mid-30's. He's going to be ok.

 

[Levitate]

He knew if he skated up there with Panarin he would have passed him the puck so he peeled away thinking, "He's got this!"

yup, and honestly not a bad call as Kreider would have had to clearly beat a panthers player in order to get open for the pass and panarin might have forced it or missed the pass , goal doesn't get scored, etc
pretty smart play really (or he was too tired)
Panarin was also like "what the hell dude, you didn't want the trick?"

e: I definitely find it interesting that Kreider is far less about trying to spring for a breakaway or control the puck a lot and is more like let's just get it in, I'll give you the puck, and then go to the net

 

[Chimpradamus]

All year Fox has seemed to be able to get the puck to Chris for tips or to isolate him away from net front coverage on the power play. There’s a lot of man advantage chemistry between those two this year.

I will object you leave out the chemistry between Kreider and Zibanejad as well. When Zibanejad wasn't in his PP office on the left circle to get the grand ol' slapper going (Panarin was granted that by Gallant, not that strange) and he didn't adapt yet with how Gallant wants to play the game, he just fed Kreider a bunch of amazing passes for easy goals. Oh the complaining how Mika was off. Sure, he wasn't in spring mode, but he was still basically PPG and not the great two way center we know. So what? Here we are now with spring Mika sniffing the playoffs.

Fox and Mika helped alot to feed Kreider and why not when you have that beast against the crease?

And he lost Buchnevich. We all lost Buch, but Mika felt it the most, they were brilliant together while Kreider was still thinking he was a speeding perimeter winger scoring those highlight reel goals. I think Mika won't score as many goals as before when he played in his old role. He could, but because it's easier to just let Kreider do the easy work for an easy goal many times, he won't.

 

[Chimpradamus]

His pts/60 at 5v5 this year is 7th best of his 11 seasons. It's not the coaching. It's just that he's scoring like crazy in front of the net at PP. A role every coach has played him in.

Not the coaching? Sure, he has been there before, but not being this committed? How many breakaways does Kreider have this season? None? Probably none. How many did he have before? Usually a couple. It's the mentality thing how he has realized this is his game that is the difference. He's never leading the rush, he tries to position himself to enter the second wave. With his skating ability, that's easy for him being used to race for a breakaway. He thinks of himself as a better version of Holmström instead of Cam Neely or something. Not only that, Kreider in the second wave is far more efficient as a forechecker. He's in the middle of things. A centralized, fast, heavy tank messing with opponents having a read on a scrambled play? Yes please.

What do you think he spends time practicing now? Breakaways? Shootouts? No. Crease play, 100%. His deflection skills are ridiculous! So ok, I won't lambast former coaches, I will give them some credit too. Not Vigneault.

 

[Blais to Win]

I will object you leave out the chemistry between Kreider and Zibanejad as well. When Zibanejad wasn't in his PP office on the left circle to get the grand ol' slapper going (Panarin was granted that by Gallant, not that strange) and he didn't adapt yet with how Gallant wants to play the game, he just fed Kreider a bunch of amazing passes for easy goals. Oh the complaining how Mika was off. Sure, he wasn't in spring mode, but he was still basically PPG and not the great two way center we know. So what? Here we are now with spring Mika sniffing the playoffs.

Fox and Mika helped alot to feed Kreider and why not when you have that beast against the crease?

And he lost Buchnevich. We all lost Buch, but Mika felt it the most, they were brilliant together while Kreider was still thinking he was a speeding perimeter winger scoring those highlight reel goals. I think Mika won't score as many goals as before when he played in his old role. He could, but because it's easier to just let Kreider do the easy work for an easy goal many times, he won't.

Another synergy has emerged - opposing goalies can't cheat to stop Zibanejad's slap shot without opening themselves up to the hard pass back door by Kreider. Love watching it develop.

 

[leetch99]

In past seasons I was very critical of Kreids because he seemed like a guy who just couldn’t bring a really consistent EFFORT over 82 games and it maddened me because, while not some all world talent, he definitely had like a 35/30 potential. When it was extension time I was pretty vocally against re-signing him because I just thought big guy who is at his best when he’s in the trenches and relies on his speed isn’t gonna age well and he never broke that 50ish point plateau to become the guy he could be.

Obviously, I am prepared for this season to be somewhat of an outlier for him, but I also am happy to munch some crow and redact a lot of previous criticisms of Chris. If nothing else, he has been a competent professional who has consistently worked on his game and found ways to adapt to be more effective. When he broke into the league (playoffs against Washington come to mind) I pictured him as doing a lot of what Gauthier does (beat you wide - I’m super concerned right now that autocorrect wanted to change that to “beat your wife” - with speed, take it to the net) but a million times better because he’d finish. Learning to be THE net front guy in the league and a leader and a humble team player and a penalty killer… for the first time in his tenure as a Ranger, I would indeed give him the C.

I was not in love with the signing but I also said at the beginning of the season that he likely would be one of the guys that Gallant would improve upon . I think I also said Gautheir would be another one....LOL...but we still have 30 + games left . Chytil was the guy I figured that would suffer...so I'm batting .666 . I think Gallant will name Kreider captain in one of the last games of the season if it is a contest we would need the points in for playoff home ice and if not needed he will be named captain before game one of the first game of the opening round ......wind him up and watch him go ! It has been a pleasant surprise for sure for Ranger fans .

 

[SA16]

Not the coaching? Sure, he has been there before, but not being this committed? How many breakaways does Kreider have this season? None? Probably none. How many did he have before? Usually a couple. It's the mentality thing how he has realized this is his game that is the difference. He's never leading the rush, he tries to position himself to enter the second wave. With his skating ability, that's easy for him being used to race for a breakaway. He thinks of himself as a better version of Holmström instead of Cam Neely or something. Not only that, Kreider in the second wave is far more efficient as a forechecker. He's in the middle of things. A centralized, fast, heavy tank messing with opponents having a read on a scrambled play? Yes please.

What do you think he spends time practicing now? Breakaways? Shootouts? No. Crease play, 100%. His deflection skills are ridiculous! So ok, I won't lambast former coaches, I will give them some credit too. Not Vigneault.

The deflection goals aren't anything new.

Chris Kreider, master of redirecting pucks - TSN.ca

This is from 2017. He was the best in the league at it then. He led the league in them from 2014-2017.

 

[Chimpradamus]

The deflection goals aren't anything new.

Chris Kreider, master of redirecting pucks - TSN.ca

This is from 2017. He was the best in the league at it then. He led the league in them from 2014-2017.

Yes, sure, so I am forced to back down a bit and may perhaps not give THAT much credit to Gallant in this sensationalist idea I have. I just don't want to give Vigneault any credit. That chewing gum smug face. The worst! Anyhow, I told Philly what they were in for when they cheered, many agreed with me... and then it happened, sooner than I anticipated. Vigneault was again fired, because he's an idiot. But I haven't rubbed it in their faces, I just went dark.

Somehow, I actually think Buchnevich leaving might've been a big reason why Kreider is so effective now. Because Kreider was kind of the third guy on the line, kind of shadowed by both Mika and Buchnevich points wise since they scored so many ridiculous goals. Now, effective wise though, Kreider was still good, as to say, just a question marks for points. But now with Buchnevich gone and the team has tried every other player on the 1st line, Mika and Kreider has had to rely on eachother and their chemistry to solve it. It has been beautiful to watch. Amazing. And yeah, then there is Panarin and Fox feeding easy goals, thank you very much.

It's a flawed team, but it's a fun team. When they are in full force, they just need a deeper bottom 6. I think the defense will be fine. Solve the Strome problem after the run. If he can fight, he's ready for the playoffs. If it could just stand up for not having Shestyerkin to save their asses every second night, they can be scary.

 

[WojtekWolski86]

I will object you leave out the chemistry between Kreider and Zibanejad as well. When Zibanejad wasn't in his PP office on the left circle to get the grand ol' slapper going (Panarin was granted that by Gallant, not that strange) and he didn't adapt yet with how Gallant wants to play the game, he just fed Kreider a bunch of amazing passes for easy goals. Oh the complaining how Mika was off. Sure, he wasn't in spring mode, but he was still basically PPG and not the great two way center we know. So what? Here we are now with spring Mika sniffing the playoffs.

Fox and Mika helped alot to feed Kreider and why not when you have that beast against the crease?

And he lost Buchnevich. We all lost Buch, but Mika felt it the most, they were brilliant together while Kreider was still thinking he was a speeding perimeter winger scoring those highlight reel goals. I think Mika won't score as many goals as before when he played in his old role. He could, but because it's easier to just let Kreider do the easy work for an easy goal many times, he won't.

Laf could easily have the contributions as Buch on that line once he gets confident at this level. He has the vision and hands it'd just making decisions at this speed and forcing the D to respect him. Nhl players can sniff out a player lacking in confidence and will attack them. That's why most players back off panarin because they are scared he is just baiting them.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

It’s almost hilarious the way he peeled away from the play. Just noped out on a 2-on-0 against an empty net.

With a chance at the hat trick nonetheless

 

[Thirty One]

The deflection goals aren't anything new.

Chris Kreider, master of redirecting pucks - TSN.ca

This is from 2017. He was the best in the league at it then. He led the league in them from 2014-2017.

If this is true, why were people asking him to be taken off the top powerplay at the beginning of the season? Gotcha there. Checkmate.

 

[SA16]

If this is true, why were people asking him to be taken off the top powerplay at the beginning of the season? Gotcha there. Checkmate.

I’d still like to see Nils running the point over Fox. I’m sure he can do a better job

 

[Chimpradamus]

Laf could easily have the contributions as Buch on that line once he gets confident at this level. He has the vision and hands it'd just making decisions at this speed and forcing the D to respect him. Nhl players can sniff out a player lacking in confidence and will attack them. That's why most players back off panarin because they are scared he is just baiting them.

It depends. I don't know what Laf's role should be eventually on a team. He hasn't showed any glimpses of deking guys, the game is too fast. He has a good shot, but as it looks now he will be a pupil to Kreider. And he could become very effective being another Kreider. With a better shot and hands. Or he will spurt out in ways we cannot imagine so far yet. I wouldn't count on it though, but what do I know of the future and what Laf has in him?

As for Kakko. He's more of a physical guy and hasn't shown anything of being another skilled perimeter guy. Are we becoming Boston here with more speed? Is this a counter to a modern, mobile game? Net presence at all times. Become personal with the goalie, always.

 

[Thirty One]

I’d still like to see Nils running the point over Fox. I’m sure he can do a better job

Honestly, that's a thought I had given that 1. Nils was likely to be traded after the season and 2. Fox was up for a new contract. But obviously that's an EHM move, Gallant actually has to answer to the guys in the room. Plus I thought Nils would be a lot better than he was.

 

[Chimpradamus]

Honestly, that's a thought I had given that 1. Nils was likely to be traded after the season and 2. Fox was up for a new contract. But obviously that's an EHM move, Gallant actually has to answer to the guys in the room. Plus I thought Nils would be a lot better than he was.

It's mental. Lundkvist hasn't shown a fraction of what he was as a player in SHL or the national team, he shined, truly. With his talent, I have NEVER seen a game from him playing to his potential.

He doesn't dare to pinch and he doesn't cycle as well in the offensive zone as he usually did, he doesn't find open spots, he just plays conservatively... he doesn't trust himself and is afraid to make a positional mistake. If Gallant can get through his head he just has to play his own game and not be afraid to make mistakes, I think he would be twice the player he has shown. At least. It's all mental.

I actually think it's amazing he has been able to play like a small bodied, conservative two way defenseman thus far without actually playing like an offensive defenseman. Not impressive enough, sure, but he has only played towards his flaws and still held his ground rather well.

The problem is he has the fear he will be moved down - and he was. Because of the fear of making a mistake as a young player. Not strange but it has to be handled within his mindset. The brutal competition among defensemen in NYR isn't good for his development because in his Scandinavian eyes he doesn't feel trust from the coach. As for a PP QB, I think he would be better than Trouba on the #1 PP if Fox is out. Lundkvist outshines Trouba in his mobility, passing and definitely his shooting. So why is Hajek in the lineup?

 

[romba]

It's mental. Lundkvist hasn't shown a fraction of what he was as a player in SHL or the national team, he shined, truly. With his talent, I have NEVER seen a game from him playing to his potential.

He doesn't dare to pinch and he doesn't cycle as well in the offensive zone as he usually did, he doesn't find open spots, he just plays conservatively... he doesn't trust himself and is afraid to make a positional mistake. If Gallant can get through his head he just has to play his own game and not be afraid to make mistakes, I think he would be twice the player he has shown. At least. It's all mental.

I actually think it's amazing he has been able to play like a small bodied, conservative two way defenseman thus far without actually playing like an offensive defenseman. Not impressive enough, sure, but he has only played towards his flaws and still held his ground rather well.

The problem is he has the fear he will be moved down - and he was. Because of the fear of making a mistake as a young player. Not strange but it has to be handled within his mindset. The brutal competition among defensemen in NYR isn't good for his development because in his Scandinavian eyes he doesn't feel trust from the coach. As for a PP QB, I think he would be better than Trouba on the #1 PP if Fox is out. Lundkvist outshines Trouba in his mobility, passing and definitely his shooting. So why is Hajek in the lineup?

100% Schneider came in without the weight of being forced into the lineup over better performing players, not coming from overseas as a 'pro' with extreme expectations, and he's shown way more confidence than Nils. He jumps in on the cycle, finds soft spots in the O zone especially when our big guns are out and he knows they'll try to find him. Panarin knows to look for Schneider cutting in and Schneider knows to take those opportunities when he can. But I think it starts from being comfortable in the D zone and Nils has some work to do there.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

If this is true, why were people asking him to be taken off the top powerplay at the beginning of the season? Gotcha there. Checkmate.

Honestly I don't remember that. I remember people saying to take him off the top 6 lines because his ES numbers stunk, but most agreed he was great in front of the net on the PP. And yes I was one of those lobbying to get him off the top 6 at ES but again, LOVE eating my crow, guy has been a beast all around this year.

 

[Thirty One]

Honestly I don't remember that. I remember people saying to take him off the top 6 lines because his ES numbers stunk, but most agreed he was great in front of the net on the PP. And yes I was one of those lobbying to get him off the top 6 at ES but again, LOVE eating my crow, guy has been a beast all around this year.

I think it was only one guy, I'm a bit dramatic.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

I think it was only one guy, I'm a bit dramatic.

Ah apologies! I might of have had a few in preparation for this HUGE all star competition coming up

 

[Pawnee Rangers]

Some good stuff from Vince

An inside look at how All-Star Chris Kreider continues to get better

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Do you guys remember pre-Kreider how Rangers fans were wishing we had a player like Holmstrom? I remember that was one of the biggest complaints was that we didn't have a player like that.

Edit: I just looked up Holmstrom's stats and Kreider already has more goals than Holmstrom had in any season.