The Rangers aren’t asking Chris Kreider to rescue them from the abyss. But if Monday’s practice is any indication, he will be counted on to make an impact.
The speedy, skilled and strong 22-year-old winger, recalled from Hartford of the AHL on Sunday, skated with Derek Stepan and Brad Richards on a makeshift top line. First-year coach Alain Vigneault said Kreider will be a top-six forward, receive time on the power play and be given an opportunity to showcase his strengths.
“I think right now, with our team who we have out now, that’s what we need,” Vigneault said.
With Rick Nash (concussion), Ryan Callahan (broken thumb) and Carl Hagelin (offseason left shoulder surgery) all out, the Rangers (2-5-0) are in dire need of offense. They have scored just 11 goals in seven games — only five at even strength — and are hoping Kreider can give their floundering attack a boost.
The 6-foot-3 Kreider didn’t wow the new coach during training camp, starting slow and producing an “average” performance, according to Vigneault. But he performed well at Hartford, scoring two goals and adding two assists in six games. The coach was impressed with Kreider’s line Friday night in Hartford, impressed enough Vigneault, general manager Glen Sather and his staff decided to give Kreider a shot with the Rangers hurting and the losses mounting.
“He went to Hartford and he worked really well, real hard and he played some good minutes for them and hopefully he can come in and do the same thing for us,” Vigneault said. “He used his speed and body real well, and he was put in the right role. … We’re hoping he’ll be able to bring that to our team.”
Kreider’s Rangers career began like a fairy tale. The team’s first-round pick in 2009 scored five goals and added two assists in the 2011-12 playoffs, right after leading Boston College to the NCAA title.
Last year was more like a nightmare. The Boxford, Mass., product suffered a foot injury that set him back early on and was shuttled between New York and Hartford for much of the year, playing in just 23 regular-season games with the Rangers and managing just two goals and an assist. Kreider did manage to score the game winner in the Rangers’ lone win in a five-game series loss to the Bruins in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
He is hoping to recapture some of that magic.
“I like to think I can play any role they need me to,” Kreider said. “I’ll do whatever it takes. … Try to play my game, try to use my assets, go to the net, shoot pucks, play simple.”
Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist was at the facility but didn’t practice, given an extra day to rest after Saturday’s 4-0 shellacking in New Jersey against the Devils. The King has struggled so far this year. He has a 3.45 goals-against-average and an .890 saves percentage, well below his career average in both categories.
“We have five days in between games, so we thought it was the right thing for him to do today,” Vigneault said. “When you struggle, whether it be on a personal note or a team note, a lot of times you let those guys work it out and Hank’s battling right now. I’m very confident. … I’d say it’s a safe bet that he’s going to find his groove.”
Nash wasn’t at practice and remains out with a concussion he suffered Oct. 7 in a loss to the Sharks. The Rangers said there is no news to report.
Hagelin took part in practice on Monday, going through contact drills for the second time, and reported no problems. The speedy winger is scheduled to come off injured reserve Oct. 29, and is hopeful he can return around that date.