Rangers Still Prioritizing Chris Kreider Extension as Trade Rumors Heat up

The New York Rangers can't take a ton of positives from what has been a trying season for them in 2019-20, but they can hold on to the fact that Chris Kreider has continued to develop into one of the better wings out East.

The Rangers want to find a way to keep Kreider, although the man himself isn't sold on a return to New York just yet.

Kreider has 24 goals and 45 points this season. If he continues playing at his current clip, the former Rangers first-round pick will exceed his career highs of 28 goals and 53 points.

Kreider gives you energy, effort, and quality up and down the ice, and he could be a perfect veteran mentor for Kappo Kaako should he stay.

Kreider could be a building block if the Rangers want to hold on to him long-term, and he's perfect for the style of hockey they want to play on this young club. However, a player like him in the prime of his career could also decide he wants some silverware and force his way out of town.

Things could get interesting over the next few months.