New York Rangers might consider dealing big winger Chris Kreider to Edmonton Oilers if Nail Yakupov is in mix
If the Edmonton Oilers and the New York Rangers are talking trade, it’s unlikely the Broadway Blueshirts would surrender left-winger Chris Kreider unless Nail Yakupov is in play.
A source close to the Rangers said the six-foot-three, 230-pound Kreider, a playoff star out of Boston College in 2012 but a disappointment last season under John Tortorella, might be the best Rangers forward right now.
He’s exactly what the Oilers need — a huge winger who can really skate — but Kreider, 22, is everything the Rangers need, too. They don’t have a big team, especially with Rick Nash still out with a concussion.
That said, if Yakupov, the first-overall pick in 2012, was in the picture, maybe New York (26 goals scored in 14 games) is intrigued because Rangers general manager Glen Sather has always been a huge fan of high-end skill.
Yakupov reminds people of a young Pavel Bure, although Yakupov is having a poor sophomore season after 17 goals as a rookie.
Chances are the Oilers are pitching winger Ales Hemsky instead, counting on New York coach Alain Vigneault, the one-time Vancouver Canucks bench boss, seeing Hemsky countless times. Hemsky’s $5-million salary and unrestricted free-agent status makes him tricky to trade, of course.
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/edmonton-oilers/Edmonton+Oilers+York+Rangers+Chris/9129214/story.html