Rangers GM Breaks Silence on Chris Kreider Trade Speculation

   

The NHL Trade Deadline has come and gone, and Chris Kreider is still a New York Ranger.

Rangers GM Breaks Silence on Chris Kreider Trade Speculation

This comes after the growing reports that the team's longest-tenured player was likely to get traded ahead of Friday's deadline. 

Vince Mercogliano of USA Today said, “My sense is that the Rangers are heading toward an eventual split with their longest-tenured player, Chris Kreider."

When the Rangers hit a rough patch earlier in the season, Kreider was a name that general manager Chris Drury announced as for sale to all other NHL GMs. 

“He’s been on the trade block since Drury included his name in that memo, and while the rumors have quieted down in the months since, two people with knowledge of the situation told lohud.com, part of the USA TODAY Network, that New York remains motivated to move him.”

Following a busy week on the phones, Drury addressed the press with thoughts on the deals that were made and how he's looking ahead. 

When asked about Kreider, Drury said he wouldn't disclose any inside information on what transpired. 

"I’m certainly not going to get into private talks I have with teams," Drury said per Mercogliano.

Drury posed a new perspective on Kreider's impact on the team, who was placed on injured reserve last Saturday.

Mercogliano reported on Drury's response: "'I’m really excited that Chris is here.' Said he'll be 'almost like a trade-deadline acquisition' when he returns from IR."

The 33-year-old power forward has notched 17 goals, four assists and 21 points in 48 games this season.