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.
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