Updated:
Plot Twist:
There are many NHL general managers holding their collective breath right now.
NY Rangers center Mika Zibanejad accidentally made contact with Chris Kreider’s head. The collision occurred in the second period of the ga e between the Rangers and Red Wings.
Kreider has been scorching hot and chipped an assist in Saturday’s game against the Red Wings.
What was not obvious was exactly what was the injury. It appears as though injury occurred when Zibanejad’s knee made direct contact with the side of Kreider’s head.
Kreider takes a direct head shot from Zibanejad’s knee. https://t.co/sJPx0XsghH
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) February 2, 2020
Kreider’s is in the quiet room and will not return tonight.
UPDATE: Chris Kreider will not return to tonight's game (upper body).
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 2, 2020
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The Buffao Sabres notched a 2-1 OT win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday afternoon.
Captain Jack Eichel's seventh game winning goal of the season in overtime gave the Sabres the much needed win. The goal was Eichel's career-best 31st goal. Eichel is a front runner to win the NHL Hart Trophy this season.
Eichel is in need of secondary and tertiarty scoring assistance.
Leaders lead. Followers follow @Jackeichel15 is the leader #Hart #MVP https://t.co/q0vBxnlNxC
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) February 1, 2020
**
It's February 1.
The NHL trade deadline is Monday February 24.
Chris Kreider is still a member of the NY Rangers.
Many NHL clubs have inquired about Kreider's availability. Its not likely that Kreider will be re-upped to a long term contract to remain a Broadway Blueshirt.
When will he be traded?
Earlier this week, Pierre LeBrun reported that the compensation for Kreider will be similar to the trade package the Rangers received last season for their former power forward Kevin Hayes. In 2019, the Winnipeg Jets traded their first-round draft choice and energy forward Brendan Lemieux for Hayes.
Kreider represented the Rangers at last weekend's NHL All Star Game in St. Louis. In 49 games played this season, Kreider has tucked 18 goals and 16 assists. He has also collected 58 PIMs.
In 509 career regular season games, Kreider has scored 151 goals and 154 assists for 305 points. In 77 career playoff games, Kreider has piled up 23 goals and 14 assists.
In case you missed it, Kreider took home the bronze medal from the NHL's fastest skater contest at least weekend's NHL All Star Game. There is no shame in finishing behind Connor McDavid and Mathew Barzal.
Thanks, NY Rangers
Kreider is in the final season of his four-year, $18.5 million contract. Kreider is the owner of an 11-team no-trade list. I've been told that all NHL Canadian teams are on Kreider's no trade list which narrows down the list of serious suitors for Kreider.
Meanwhile, Buffalo Sabres GM Jason Botterill continues his months-long quest to trade for a big, strong, fast, high-skill, scoring forward. Kreider checks all of Botterill's boxes in terms of his resume and qualifications. Kreider is a Boston College product who at 6'3" and 220 lbs., is blessed turbo-charged speed, soft hands, brute strength and compete level that makes opposing players blink first.
The Rangers have been sending three different pro scouts to watch the Sabres consistently for the past few months. Rangers GM Jeff Gorten sent his director of pro scouting to Buffalo Thursday night to watch the Sabres host Montreal Canadiens.
I think Botterill is willing to trade his 2020 first round draft choice, forward Conor Sheary and right defenseman Zach Bogosian to the Rangers in exchange for Kreider IF the Rangers sweeten the deal by including their disgruntled winger Lias Andersson in the deal.
2020 first rounder, Bogosian, Sheary.
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) February 1, 2020
Why Bogosian? He and Jacob Trouba are tight and they played well together in Winnipeg.
Andersson, 21, the seventh overall pick in the 2017 NHL draft, was loaned to Swedish Hockey League club HV71, the junior team Andersson played for. Andersson requested a trade before Christmas. A month after his trade request he was sent down to AHL Hartford. Andersson had just one point in 17 NHL games this season, averaging TOI per game after earning his roster spot in the opening night roster. Andersson was suspended after he left Hartford and went home to Sweden.
Botterill needs detonate the dynamite. Jack Eichel needs scoring help. Eichel cannot continue to carry the Sabres on his broad shoulders each and every night. The Sabres have needed a complimentary scoring threat to Eichel since training camp.
Recent injuries to snipers Jeff Skinner and Victor Olofsson have exposed the weaknesses that continue to undermine the success of the Buffalo Sabres offense.
If The Sabres are serious about qualifying for their first playoff berth in nine seasons, they will trade for Kreider and Andersson now. Kreider knows Eichel and Jimmy Vesey and will acclimate immediately and add instant leadership to a Buffalo Sabres roster that has too many followers on it at this time. Can the Sabres afford to sign the pending UFA Kreider to a long term deal?
Yes. I can see Botterill extending Kreider to a deal at $6.5M AAV for five seasons.
The time is now for Botterill to make a bold move to give his players and fans something to believe in.
The Sabres play the Rangers at MSG later this week.
Time is of the essence for Botterill to act upon a Kreider acquisition. There are several other NHL clubs lined up looking to snag the power forward. Boston, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Nashville and Dallas are among the pack of hunters.
The NHL trade deadline is just three weeks away.
Welcome to February. The NHL trade deadine is Monday February 24 #Sabres50 pic.twitter.com/cWkNSHWagR
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) February 1, 2020