Dreger: All eyes turn to Chris Kreider on the trade market

For the first time since the Michael Grabner trade, the Devils did the Rangers a big favor. The Devils traded Taylor Hall earlier this week to Arizona for a 1st round pick, a conditional 3rd (becomes a 2nd if the Coyotes win a playoff round or Hall re-signs, and a 1st if both happen), and three prospects that were not in the top-two of the system. The return isn’t what matters here, it’s the timing.

With Hall off the market, the Rangers won’t need to wait for the larger domino to fall like they had to with Ryan McDonagh. Kreider is now the biggest fish on the market, meaning the Rangers can field all offers while also doing their own due diligence on a contract extension. The Coyotes are out of the running now, which is expected. But any team that missed out on Hall now turns their attention to Kreider.

On the return, it has no impact on Kreider. There are folks trying to make a connection, but it’s apples and oranges. Hall is a legit game changer when healthy, and in a tier above Kreider. The tier prices never really impact each other unless it’s an outlier trade. This wasn’t.

On Insider Trading on TSN, Darren Dreger noted that the price for Kreider is likely to be a first round pick and a mid-level prospect. That’s Kevin Hayes value, which surprises me a bit because I had him pegged at Mats Zuccarello value. Center versus wing, after all. I guess that physical aspect really does play a role here, thanks NHL GMs.

As for teams that are interested, it’s safe to assume that any team that was in on Hall will be in on Kreider. That means St. Louis and Edmonton. Colorado has been mentioned, but I think that ship has sailed. If the first round pick was a no-go in June, then it’s likely a no-go now. Vancouver’s name has been floated too, although the conditions on the JT Miller trade make it more complicated. For everything we think we know, there’s always a team that sneaks in and makes it interesting.

Given the lack of news on a contract extension for Kreider, all signs are pointing to him getting traded at the deadline. This would make the third straight season the Rangers are sellers, although David Quinn and Jeff Gorton don’t necessarily want to go that route. But with Hall off the market and the race for Kreider heating up, will they be able to turn down some of the offers on the table?