"Defense? What's that?..." (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

“Defense? What’s that?…” (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

(This post was written before the doubts about  Kreider’s availability for tonight were released. But… the point of the post remains.) The arguments for keeping Chris Kreider in the line-up and hopefully riding out his ‘growing pains’ are obvious. Size, speed, a wicked shot and that the team wide lack of size would be further exaggerated without him in the line-up. That all said, Kreider has obviously hit a brick wall this season. His production has dried up which means his defensive miscues and poor decision making are no longer being covered up.

In the long term Kreider remains a key part of the Rangers future, although legitimate concerns are starting to be raised about whether his iffy decision making ability and his defensive awareness will hold him back from becoming a top tier power forward. Even as recently as the start of this season, Kreider looked on his way to taking the next step but his production to start the year was clearly masking the errors that continue to punctuate his overall game.

In the short term, the Rangers could and perhaps should look elsewhere for an injection of offense and defensive accountability. Should Anthony Duclair be back in the line-up? Equally dangerous with his skating ability, Duclair is certainly no worse in his own end than Kreider and has looked dangerous in the offensive zone even without the goals to show for it. Duclair is however, just one option.

 

The Rangers cannot retain the puck (thanks to their ineptness in the faceoff circle) and currently cannot defend sufficiently against the better offensive teams. Hartford offers a few alternatives if the Rangers wanted to get defensive. Oscar Lindberg continues to have a good year in Hartford and would offer faceoff (and defensive) ability as well as a bit of offensive pop. A player like Lindberg would help the Rangers in their own zone, something that should absolutely be a priority right now. With Lindberg arguably the leading candidate, there are a few options in Hartford if the Rangers wanted to mix it up.

Adding Lindberg to the line-up would mean he could center a line and either JT Miller could be inserted on the wing or Kevin Hayes could be moved to wing and the faceoff issue gets a much needed boost. Of course, with Kreider potentially out, all of them could be an option?

Now could be the time to take a look at one of the deserving candidates in Hartford. It’s early enough in the season that a call-up – and the subsequent benching of a vet – wouldn’t have devastating effects on the team’s goal of making the playoffs but may help the team with an injection of energy and form from a deserving player. It also reminds minor league alumni that if you play well you will be rewarded – crucial in the organisations player development goals.

A legitimate concern; would benching Kreider have long term effects on the player? Kreider’s never been confused with someone who is shy. He’s known to have an ego and certainly hasn’t got a problem facing the media, however Kreider’s play has levelled off to such an extent the best option for him may be to sit for a game and to take a deep breath. Either way, a short term benching shouldn’t leave long term scars.

The Rangers need to mix things up. They need to put out a line-up that – right now – gives them the best chance to win. Right now, that line-up probably doesn’t include Chris Kreider. There are several players who right now, would be deserving candidates for a seat in the press box but none of those candidates are making the same amount of costly mistakes in their own zone like Chris Kreider. It’s time Alain Vigneault demanded more defensive accountability. Starting with Chris Kreider.

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