An update from the New York Rangers on the status of Chris Kreider won't make fans very happy. Kreider's fractured ankle will keep him out of action for the next four-to-six weeks, meaning he's likely to miss the remainder of the regular season. And, with the Rangers losing their last three games and slipping further away from a playoff spot, that means Kreider may not be returning to an actual game until next season.
"We're obviously hopeful sooner than later," Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton told NHL Network at the general managers meetings in Boca Raton, Florida, today. "But I think with these things, it's weight bearing when you break your foot. I think if you look over time, some of the people who have had the same type of injury, you're looking at 4-6 weeks as probably realistic."
"I know that Chris is looking at it as is he going to be back sooner. If you see what kind of condition he is, his work ethic, it's hard to bet against him. So hopefully sooner than that and we'll take one game at a time without him."
The Rangers (35-27-4) are 0-2-0 without Kreider, who left a 5-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on February 28th after blocking a shot from defenseman Philippe Myers with 7:40 remaining in the first period. Kreider went to the bench and played one more shift that lasted 10 seconds.
Kreider has 45 points (24 goals, 21 assists) in 63 games this season, including 32 points (18 goals, 14 assists) in 35 games since December 8th. The 28-year-old forward agreed to terms on a seven-year contract worth $6.5 million per season right at the trade deadline. He could have become an unrestricted free agent July 1st.
