The New York Rangers problems with injuries at all levels is
something that seems beyond any rational belief at this point. What’s worse is each time you think it cannot
possibly get any worse someone else goes down.
According to Julie Robenhymer of Hockeybuzz
Rangers 2009 1st round pick Chris Kreider suffered a broken jaw on Friday night
against the University of New Hampshire.
The incident occurred during the second period of the game
when his teammate, Brian Gibbons, cleared the puck up the boards and it hit
Kreider in the face he was stumbling.
Kreider dropped to the ice and was writhing in pain along the boards. He would eventually leave the ice under his
own power, while some of his blood remained on the ice. After being taken to the hospital the break of the jaw was diagnosed.
At this point there is no word on the severity of the break
or if he will need to have surgery, which leaves him out indefinitely with no
real way to tell whether his season is over or not. Once they make a determination on the
severity and the course of treatment they will determine if there is a chance
for him to be involved in the Hockey East or NCAA tournament.
On the season Kreider has 11 goals and 12
assists in 31 games this year for BC. Rangers fans got very excited after Kreider won
the Beanpot MVP and putting up back-to-back two goals games, but since he was
quiet with just one assist in the last four games. That dichotomy is not unusual
for Kreider season as he has either been red-hot in putting up points or very
quiet, which is why I believe another year in college would be good for his
consistency and increased role on the team. Physically Kreider is ready for the professional game, but on the ice another year of development in college could be the difference between being an NHL player versus being an impact play as Kreider has stated he wants to be.
Now is not the right time to delve into
deeply, but one must one wonder if he is out for the season how much that sways
his decision about going back to school or turning pro this summer.
Will obviously update when any new information becomes available.
