Report: Rangers, Kreider haven't discussed extension
It appears increasingly likely that the 2019-20 season will be a contract year for New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider.
Kreider's agent Matt Keator and Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton have yet to discuss what it would take to get the 28-year-old signed to a long-term contract, according to the New York Post's Larry Brooks.
"Not a number has been exchanged," Brooks added.
Kreider is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the upcoming season, and his name has been floated around in trade speculation because of the Rangers' rebuild and cap crunch. His deal comes with a $4.625 million cap hit for 2019-20 and an 11-team no-trade list.
New York is already over $4 million above the salary cap with 23 players signed and two remaining restricted free agents to ink (Brendan Lemieux and Tony DeAngelo), according to CapFriendly.
After re-signing RFA Pavel Buchnevich on Friday, the Ranges will now receive a 48-hour buyout window beginning on Monday and concluding at 5 p.m ET Wednesday. The club could start to clear its logjam of blue-liners by buying out Kevin Shattenkirk, Marc Staal, or Brendan Smith. There are two years left on the deals for all three players.
If Gorton doesn't use the buyout window to clear cap space, he may be forced to pursue trades. Kreider, a speedy power forward coming off a 28-goal season, is the club's most appealing trade asset who could realistically be moved.