Rangers' Chris Kreider Breaks Silence On Being Scratched

The benching has been the source of rumors since it occurred, as GM Chris Drury hasn't been shy about trading key pieces in the lineup.

After Jacob Trouba was held out of the lineup, he was soon traded to the Anaheim Ducks for Urho Vaakainen and a fourth-round pick.

Kreider was another name who was placed on the trade block by GM Chris Drury at the same time as Trouba.

It's unclear if Kreider's scratch is purely performance-based or if it's to avoid an injury before a trade. No deal will be made in the next few days, but today is the Rangers' last game before the roster freeze lifts on Dec. 28. (Pro Hockey Rumors)

So far, no major traction has been made in regard to a trade if it were to occur after the roster freeze, which ends tomorrow.

Kreider slotted in Friday on the Rangers' second line with Mika Zibanejad and Reilly Smith during practice.

The lifelong Rangers veteran has scored 30+ goals in the last three seasons consecutively and is shooting at 13.8% in the NHL.

A far cry from 2021-22, which saw him post 52 goals while shooting above 20% that season.

In order for the Rangers to gain steam, they will need Kreider to create more plays for his teammates, and increase his goal-scoring chances.