After parts of 14 seasons as a career-long New York Ranger, Chris Kreider may have played his last game for the club.
The all-time franchise leading playoff goal scorer is on the injured reserved list with an undisclosed upper-body injury and no timetable for return.
USA Today Sports' Vincent Mercogliano reports that the franchise is trending toward an "eventual split" with the veteran winger and is "motivated to move" him, either before Friday's 3 p.m. ET NHL trade deadline or during the offseason.
Kreider, who is the longest tenured Ranger, was initially placed on the trade block by general manager Chris Drury during December's losing spree. Drury texted all 31 other NHL GMs listing Kreider, among others, as a player available for purchase.
With his current injury coming out of the 4 Nation's Face-Off tournament and an issue with back spasms earlier this season, if Kreider doesn't get moved, it would likely be linked to health-related concerns.
But over the weekend, The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta reported on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio that Chris Kreider’s name has "continued to pop up in trade chatter, despite his current injury."
Kreider, 33, has two years remaining on his contract after this season with a $6.5 million cap hit. His deal also includes a 15-team no-trade list, giving him some control over potential trade destinations.
The specific teams who have checked in on Kreider, who owns 17 goals and 21 points through 48 games this season, are unknown.
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