Rangers' Kreider Continues Domination For Boston College

Last summer there was a push amongst many to have Chris Kreider (2009 1st round pick) turn pro even though he had a subpar season at Boston College.  The idea behind it was that you get him in the professional ranks with the New York Rangers and let them take over his development.  Part of the theory for some was that Kreider seemed bored with college hockey and was not going to take the next step while at Boston College.  My problem with that is a prospect shows they are ready when they go out and dominate their competition level.  It might have taken longer than some had both hoped and expected, but Kreider is now a doing that for Boston College. 

Each game for Boston College Kreider seemingly ups his game and that happened again Friday night with another three point performance.  He scored once and assisted on two others Friday as BC dominated Maine 5-1. On Saturday he had a power play goal in the 4-2 loss to UMass.

Jess Rubenstein at The Prospect Park has more on Kreider’s play the Friday night.

Kreider was involved in all 3 of those goals and then in the 3rd period showed us something we have been waiting to see for 3 years. We saw some snarl out of him as Kreider even showed us some temper when Maine tried to push him around and Kreider pushed back.

A little snarl would be a welcomed addition to Kreider's game because he is going to take a ton of punishment at the NHL level with his role as a power forward around the net.  As long as Kreider is smart about when and how to push back it will only help him establish himself once he becomes a pro.

The four points in the two games gives Kreider 15 points (8G, 7A) in only 10 games this season after tallying only 11 goals and 13 assists in 32 games last year.  There was never any question that Kreider had the physical tools to play in the NHL, even possibly this year, but his game was not at that consistent level.  This kind of domination in college shows that he is putting it everything together now and vastly improves his chances of being the impact player he wants to be at the NHL level.

Kreider Decision To Stay At Boston College Best For Him/Rangers Long-Term

Despite repeated attempts by the New York Rangers to convince him to sign this summer, Chris Kreider was determined to go back to Boston College for his Junior season.  The combination of continuing his education being better prepared to be an impact player once he turned pro were said to be the keys to Kreider’s decision to return.  After two games, all side should be thrilled with Kreider’s decision as he is showing the domination of college opposition that he never really found last season.

Kreider was dominant in both games of the North Dakota Ice Breaker Invitational this weekend scoring two goals, one game winner, and adding an assist en route to winning the Most Valuable Player honors as Boston College claimed the trophy.  This weekend was more of what was expected of Kreider last season, but he never found his groove only tallying 11 goals and 13 assists in 32 games. 

There has never been a question concerning Kreider’s physical skills as his skating would be amongst the best in the NHL right now.  The questions have revolved around consistency of production and understanding of the game, but he is certainly looking to quell those doubters in the early season.  With the departures that Boston College had to end last season Kreider had every opportunity to be one of their go-to players this season and he certainly seems up to the task early on.

Some might look at Kreider’s performance in this tournament and question why he didn’t come out of college as he could be doing this for the Rangers or at the very least in Hartford for the Connecticut Whale.  It is intriguing to think about what he could be doing, especially with the team's offensive struggles in Sweden and glaring need for a top six left wing.  However, I will disagree with those question the decision to go back and give the credit to Kreider for knowing he had more work to do in being an impact player at the collegiate level first before he could reach his potential in the professional ranks.  If this past weekend is any indication of what Kreider is going to do this season for Boston College, then the decision is only validated further and the Rangers will be the ultimate benefactor in the player Kreider ultimately is when he turns pro, likely next summer.

Kreider Listed As 10th Best NHL Prospect By ESPN

Adam Rotter over at SNYRangersblog found an ESPN Insider article by Grant Sonier that list New York Rangers prospect Chris Kreider as the 10th best prospect in hockey.  Kreider has been highly regarded in other scouting rankings as he was 18th according to The Hockey News and listed 23rd by Hockey’s Future in their respective rankings this year.  He certainly has the natural talent to be a special player for the Rangers in the future, though ranking him 10th overall amongst NHL prospects seems a bit high given the production that he has come up with in the past year.

According to Rotter, Sonier focuses on skating as the best attribute Kreider has, calling him one of the best skaters in all of hockey.  Skating along with his physical size have been the most cited positives in talking about the potential that Kreider has for the NHL level.  

Sonier believes that despite the production criticisms that Kreider has received, the potential is what continues to hold him so high amongst the prospect rankings.

He says that Kreider is not only one of the best skaters in the NCAA’s, he is one of the best skaters in all of hockey.  This is the year for Kreider to breakout in the production department as well or more will start to whisper about whether the potential and tools that are so touted will turn into actual results on the ice. 

Mailbag: Should Chris Kreider Be A Ranger For The Playoffs?

Jason asked: Should the Rangers sign Chris Kreider like they did with Tony Amonte to join the team for the playoffs?  He could be on the first line and really help our power play this season.

The simple answer to that is no, but let me expand my thoughts.

There is no debating the fact that 2009 1^st round pick Chris Kreider is unquestionably the New York Rangers best prospect.  Being the best prospect for the Rangers comes with a level of expectations from this organizations tremendous fan base that a player can step into the NHL and be an impact player on their first day.  Efforts like last night’s MVP performance in the Beanpot Tournament championship game will only raise those expectations further; if that is possible.  I am not here to dampen the excitement over Kreider as he is the most skilled offensive prospect the Rangers have had in a long time.  What I do want to do is preach some patience with him and abort the discussion I am seeing this morning about how soon he should leave college and be a professional player.

Kreider played a brilliant game and he has a knack for doing so in the biggest games as he was huge in the Beanpot final last season as well, but those goals were only his 8^th and 9^th of the season, which is not a level of domination showing he is NHL ready.  Taking a little perspective, when Amonte was signed for the playoffs his numbers that season at Boston University were 31 goals, 37 assists in 38 games.  Kreider this season has 9 goals, 11 assists in 26 games.

Excitement mixed with impatience is a natural state with Rangers fans.  There is a lot to be excited about with Kreider, but there are also signs that fans need to take note of and take a step back to see where he actually is in his development.  In both seasons Kreider has had slow starts in which it has taken him a month or more to really get into the season.  If he signed with the Rangers and did that he would be getting the kind of treatment that Michael Del Zotto and Evgeny Grachev are receiving right now. 

Kreider will tell you when he is ready, not with words or signing a contract, but when he truly begins to dominate his level of competition, which he has yet to do.  The domination standard is one that Director of Player Personnel Gordie Clark believes in holding the prospects to before advancing them.  Kreider has shown that he can dominate within an individual game, but has not shown it over longer stretches.  Maybe he will have another phenomenal close to the season and show there is nothing left for him to gain from another season in college, but to this point I am not convinced that giving him another year to develop and more importantly “be the man” at Boston College would not be better for him long term.  I would rather they wait too long than make the mistake of rushing another prospect because Kreider will eventually be the Rangers first line left wing and a crucial component to the power play as long as they let him go through the stages of development at his pace.

Do yourself a favor and check out The Prospect Park's take on Kreiders performance last night and his future.

Rangers Prospect Chris Kreider Named Beanpot Tournament MVP

As a player at Boston College there are few things bigger than the Beanpot Championship.  Luckily for BC they have New York Rangers prospect Chris Kreider who once again displayed his ability to rise to the challenge in big games with two goals and an assist en route to winning Beanpot Tournament MVP.  The top ranked Eagles would certainly get a challenge from the Northestern Huskies as it would take overtime for them to pull out the 7-6 victory.  The victory gave the Eagles back to back Beanpots for the first time since they won three straight from 1963-65. 

If being MVP was not enough, Rangers fans will be happy to know that both goals came on the power play, from the front of the net.  The goals were Kreider’s eighth and ninth of the season. He also assisted on Jimmy Hayes game winner.

Kreider and BC just seem to have a knack for winning things, so hopefully this game is the springboard Kreider needs for a huge finish to the season and possibly a back-to-back NCAA championship.  With any luck he will face off against fellow Rangers prospect Carl Hagelin in that championship game.

Video: Chris Kreider 2-on-1 Bronze Clinching Goal Against Sweden

Will put up the full highlights when they are out, but in the meantime enjoy Kreider putting away the clincher for a Bronze medal.

Video: Joni Ortio Robs Chris Kreider in USA Finland WJC Game

Joni Ortio robs Chris Kreider

Team USA pulled out the 3-2 OT win against Team Finland tonight in each team's opening game of the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championships, but the best player on the ice was Finland goalie Joni Ortio as he kept Finland in the game long enough for them to tie it.  Ortio made a number of phenomenal saves, but none were better than when he robbed New York Rangers prospect Chris Kreider five minutes into the third period to keep the game at 2-1 USA.  The video of the play starts at 4:08 of the highlight clip with discussion of the play coming again at 5:28.

Rangers Prospects Chris Kreider, Ryan Bourque On Team USA WJC Prelim Roster

In a shock to absolutely no one Rangers 2009 1^st and 3^rd round picks Chris Kreider and Ryan Bourque were named to the 2011 USA U-20 World Junior Championship preliminary roster.  Expect both to make the team and for Bourque to wear a letter for the tournament, possibly the Captain’s ‘C’ as he has for other tournaments for Team USA.  Kreider and Bourque will be returning to the team hoping to repeat last year’s thrilling performance all the way to the Gold medal which including fellow Ranger Derek Stepan.  The task of the repeat will not be easy as once again Team Canada is loaded with talent and looking to avenge last year’s disappointment, but team Russia is also one of the favorites as they showed in the Canadian Subway Super Series against the different Canadian junior leagues.

It was at this tournament last Chris Kreider turned around what was a disappointing early Freshman season at Boston College going from 5 points in 15 games to 6 goals in this tournament and 18 points in his last 23 games for the Eagles.  So far this season Kreider has 5 goals and 6 assists in 16 games. Kreider is no stranger to being on a winner as he won gold in this tournament and the NCAA title last season.  When announcing Chris Kreider the general manger of Team USA, Jim Johannson, said he has “unparalleled speed” and is “one of the best skaters in the game.”  Those attributes were certainly on display when Kreider scored this goal last Saturday against BU while shorthanded.

As for Bourque he will be asked to be more of an offensive threat this year than the checking line player he was last season.  The great thing about Ryan Bourque is that he can do both as he is a tremendously talented two-way player.  Bourque is have a superb season in the QMJHL for the Quebec Ramparts putting up 16 goals 19 assists in just 24 games played.  Look for this tournament to be a breakout for Bourque on the national stage in much the same way it was for Kreider, Stepan and others on the USA team a season ago.

The final roster will be announced Dec 23 with the tournament happening Dec 26-Jan 5 in Buffalo.

Video: Chris Kreider SHG against BU 12/4/2010

These are highlights of the whole game, but the Kreider highlight that all New York Rangers fans want to watch starts at 2:35 of the clip

Daily Recap: Kreider Heating Up; Cally Not Punished; Drury, Prospal Updates; McIlrath Fight; Thomas Save

This morning I looked at the play of Chris Kreider and how his pattern of play over the past two years reminds me of another New York pro athlete.  The pattern also shows that Kreider is about to break out in a huge way and that has already begun as tonight he would score a beautiful shorthanded goal against the rival Boston University Terriers and would have 2G, 2A in the two game series to bump his season numbers to 5G 6A in 16 games.  The full article on Kreider, how his slow start does not mean something is wrong and who the other New York player is can all be found here.

Following that today there was a pair of reports that stemmed from filings on the team and today’s practice.  The first focused on the two guys who have missed virtually the entire season with their injuries; Chris Drury and Vinny Prospal.  Inside the article that can be found here there is an update on Drury and what he is currently able and not able to do along with a timetable on his return.  Also where Prospal is concerned he has taken another step forward in his recovery but is not close to a recovery.

In the other there was the discussion of the NHL decision to take no suspension on Ryan Callahan for the elbow hit on Frans Nielsen in Friday’s game along with the fact that Brandon Prust was sat from practice with a sore shoulder.  Find out my thoughts on the Cally decision, if Prust is going to play tomorrow and what he should be doing less of to stay healthy by clicking here.

Rangers 2010 1^st round pick Dylan McIlrath returned to the lineup Friday and wasted little time getting back into the fighting spirit by dropping the gloves in an excellent scrap during the first period.  To watch the video from the fight and read more discussion on Dylan’s injury and play follow the link here.

In what I expected to be my last post of the evening other than this recap I took a look at the Rangers matchup with the Ottawa Senators tomorrow night at 5.  This will be the second Heritage night game on the schedule and for those who do not know the Heritage schedule it is listed here.  As for the game itself the Rangers need to take care of business against an inferior opponent who is coming off a game tonight that they lost in a shootout.  The Senators are 2-7-1 in their last 10 so the Rangers should beat them but they should not underestimate them.  For a look at the lines, my keys to the game and prediction on the outcome check out the full pregame here.

I said I thought the pregame was going to be the last article of the night and technically it was, but even as a Rangers fan I was compelled to put up the video of Tim Thomas robbing Francois Beauchemin in OT for the Boston Bruins tonight.  To me the save will likely be the save of the year and if it is not then someone made a whopper.  Check out the video of the brilliant save here.

Once again want to give a shout to Dig Deep for making his original banner for the site even better; phenomenal work.

Rangers Propsect Chris Kreider: Another Slow Start, Another Huge Finish?

Elsa/Getty Images

Yesterday in talking about the New York Rangers team I talked about patterns of performance that are evident when they play, and apparently top prospect Chris Kreider has a history of repeating patterns as well.  Kreider the 2009 1^st round pick started his sophomore year slowly just like in his Freshman campaign, but he has been to heat up and is percolating after last night’s game against rival Boston University.  We are going to look back on Kreider to see why at times he has made Rangers fans nervous, including myself, but more importantly why he has proven over his time since the draft that a slow start should not worry us just as a different New Yorker in another sport seems to do each year.

Looking At The Prospects After Month One

Now that we have just crossed the month mark at least in the CHL leagues figured we could take a look at a variety of Ranger prospects in terms of their production to this point in the season.  Disclaimers up front include that points do not reveal all there is about level of play a prospect or any hockey player for that matter is playing at.  Also, the variance in the leagues in terms of quality of competition can alter what statistically would qualify as quality production. 

With those out of the way I am going to break down the prospect into a few categories as there are prospects who are just on fire to start the year, those who are simmer with solid play and production, some who are smoldering and others that are building the fire as they adjust to new leagues.  For the purposes of this I will leave Stepan’s start out because of being in the NHL.

My Top 18 New York Rangers Prospects: Who, Where, Why, Maybe Even When, How They Hit Broadway

Ranger Prospect Rankings Oct 2010

1. Derek Stepan
2. Chris Kreider
3. Ryan Mcdonagh
4. Mats Zuccarello Aasen
5. Evgeny Grachev
6. Ethan Werek
7. Roman Horak
8. Dylan McIlrath
9. Carl Hagelin
10. Christian Thomas
11. Pavel Valentenko
12. Michael Sauer
13. Chad Johnson
14. Tomas Kundratek
15. Ryan Bourque
16. Dale Weise
17. Mikhail Pashnin
18. Andrew Yogan

HM: Scott Stacjer, Brandon Manning, Kelsey Tessier, Jyri Niemi, Cam Talbot

Details of the guys and why I put some where I did inside.