The Rangers have acquired an experienced winger Chris Kreider a healthy scratch for today’s game against the Devils, reports Peter Baugh of The Athletic. Aside from two season-ending precautionary scratches in 2017 and 2022, this is the first time he’s been healthy in the press box for the Blueshirts since his rookie season in 2013-14.

Much has been made of Kreider’s brutal 2024-25 campaign. After three straight seasons with at least 35 goals, Kreider has scored 11 in 30 games this season but added just one assist for 12 points with a -4 rating, his first time in the red since 2020-21. He is averaging 17:26 per game, his lowest since 2020-21, and has three points in 11 games since Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Nov. 25 that the Rangers were abandoning him and now-former captain Jacob Trouba in trade negotiations.

It’s unclear if Kreider’s scratch is purely performance-based or if it’s to avoid injury before a trade. There won’t be a deal in the next few days, but today is the Rangers’ last game before the squad ban is lifted on December 28th.

Kreider’s problems have highlighted much larger problems with the Rangers, who have now fallen to .500 after starting the season 12-4-1. They have a record of 4-12-0 in their last 16 games. They could end up in last place in the Metropolitan Division today with a regulation loss in New Jersey and wins for the Blue Jackets and Islanders, an unimaginable position for last year’s Presidents’ Trophy winners at this point this season.

Despite Kreider’s disappointing performance, he hasn’t moved much on the depth chart. He spent most of the season as a staple Mika Zibanejad And Reilly Smith in the team’s second line and played there in 24 of his 30 appearances. While he leads the trio in scoring, he is the weakest link in total points. Zibanejad has 21 points in 33 appearances, still well below expectations, while Smith has 16 in 32. They all struggled defensively, combining for just 47.8% of expected goals, according to MoneyPuck. beginner Brett Berard will skate in Kreider’s usual second position on the left wing today, according to Mollie Walker of the New York Post. He hasn’t played much of a role offensively since his recall last month, scoring two goals and one assist in 11 games with a -5 rating and a disappointing possession rate.

The 33-year-old Kreider is just three seasons away from leading the league in power play goals (26) and game winners (11). From 2021-22 to 2023-24, his 127 goals were seventh in the league behind Austin Matthews, Leon Draisaitl, David Pastrňák, Connor McDavid, Mikko RantanenAnd Kirill Kaprizov. He has 315 goals and 564 points in 845 appearances, all with the Rangers, since his regular-season debut in 2013. That’s good enough for third in franchise history in goals and 10th Place in points.