Don't cry for Chris Kreider.
He'll be raking in the dough as a Duck – although not necessarily Mighty – in Anaheim whether he plays a loafing game or gets the odd goal or – whatever.
You might want to shed a tear for Chris Drury because the 34-year-old over-the-hill Kreider should have been dispatched out of Manhattan at least nine months ago.
That, my beloved Rangers fans, was when Kreider still had some value. He came off a solid playoff and still was being admired for his third period hat trick that collapsed the Canes.
Drury could have acquired someone a lot better than 2025 third round pick Carey Terrance who, overnight, has become part of the "Rebuild The Rangers – Or Bust" anthem.
You have to figure – now that Kreider is a Californian – that his bosom buddy Mika Zibanejad next will be put in Drury's human catapult. Destination: Anywhere but Rangerville.
"If Mika keeps balking," says The Old Scout, "Drury will pull the chute the way he did with Jacob Trouba. Z has to realize that when you are not wanted, YOU ARE NOT WANTED. Period!
Some Clues About Where Rangers Are Going From Here
In case you <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers" target="_blank">Rangers</a> fans are tired of the Mainstream hockey writers "hocking a chinik" about Chris (Turned Tortoise) Kreider's exit – sob-sob – and other such nonsense, it's time to meet Mister Nitty Gritty for some harsh hockey talk.
When Mika takes a break from his summertime D-J gig he might realize that it's good to be a Duck, joining his Blueshirt frat brothers on the Left Coast.
It was nice knowing Kreider, but I wonder how nice Anaheim GM Pat Verbeek will feel about his latest ex-Ranger.
The Maven's guess – Iffy at the very best! Sorry he ever dealt for him; at worst!!