Rangers Should Name Chris Kreider Captain in Wake of Tony DeAngelo Debacle

**Phil in Absentia** · 02-01-2021, 03:41 PM

I am not going to draw a straight line between the absence of a captain and the Dust-Up in the Tunnel between Tony DeAngelo and Alex Georgiev following Saturday night’s overtime defeat to the Penguins that has rocked the franchise’s world and all but certainly signaled the end of No. 77’s Broadway run.

Mark Messier, Vic Hadfield, Barry Beck, Ron Greschner and Ryan Callahan could all have been wearing the sweater and the “C” on Saturday and they would not have been able to prevent the spontaneous combustion that occurred.

But I do believe that the Rangers, who seem to be dealing with all sorts of issues as they struggle to find equilibrium out of the gate and recover the positive 2019-20 vibes they apparently left behind in the Toronto bubble, do need a captain. I think they do need an identifiable leader among the leadership group.

And at this juncture, there is no better man for the job than Chris Kreider, who in his 10th year with the organization has emerged as the voice of the team.

And that would be Kreider, who has had blue blood running through his veins since joining the Rangers at the start of the 2012 playoffs just a couple of days off the BC Chestnut Hill campus.

There may be management concerns — there certainly had been through No. 20’s formative years — that Kreider internalizes too much, worries too much and that the captaincy would become a burden for him.

But the growth in Kreider’s stature has been steady even if consistency on the ice remains elusive. Saturday, visibly upset (and now we know why there was reason to be, beyond the outcome) on the Zoom call with the media, Kreider called the team out for its woebegone performance in letting another third-period lead get away.

This wasn’t Kreider in his locker speaking softly to an individual journalist in order to get the message out. This was Kreider using his platform to tell his teammates that it just hasn’t been good enough. And knowing Kreider, it is all but certain that he sent that message directly before blasting it into cyberspace, where it will remain for all eternity or until the cloud is full.

A young team with a still young-in-NHL experience coach is in the midst of a crisis of confidence. The goaltending has been shaky. The structure has been transient. Now this, prompting the enforced departure of one of last season’s most important assets.

The Rangers need a leader. They need a captain.

https://nypost.com/2021/02/01/ranger...site%20buttons

**Rangers** · 02-01-2021, 03:50 PM

They definitely need a C, but i think Kreider is going to be traded in the near future. No point of giving it to Kreider.

**Dunny** · 02-01-2021, 04:05 PM

It makes sense at first glance, at least to me, but the guy just disappears for games at a time.

Still, if they're going to name one, I can't think of a better candidate, right now.

**Phil in Absentia** · 02-01-2021, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by Rangers

They definitely need a C, but i think Kreider is going to be traded in the near future. No point of giving it to Kreider.

We say this, but that doesn't necessarily make it true for two key reasons:

1. Kreider's deal has full trade protection through 2023-24.
2. Lafreniere's next deal will not hit the books until 2023-24.

**Rangers** · 02-01-2021, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by Phil in Absentia

We say this, but that doesn't necessarily make it true for two key reasons:

1. Kreider's deal has full trade protection through 2023-24.
2. Lafreniere's next deal will not hit the books until 2023-24.

Your right! Legitimate concern is does he deserve a C?

**Phil in Absentia** · 02-01-2021, 04:19 PM

Probably. I've said for years and maintain that leadership/letters are one of a few facets of the game we as fans have next to zero insight on. Being a captain or a team leader is a 24/7 job that carries a ton of responsibility, most of which never sees the light of day. What we see is like the tip of the iceberg.

In effect, he "deserves it" as long as the front office and coaching staff believe he do. They actually have that insight. They're making calculated decisions. We're just guessing because we like how hard a guy hits or tries or delivers a post-game remark.

**Ozzy** · 02-01-2021, 04:31 PM

I've been pretty down on Kreider, and I gotta say, I kinda wished they had dealt him last season at the deadline. I don't think his deal is an absolute killer, but I'm thinking that if they give this guy the "C", he's going to be "the example" for all these kids. Kreider, when he's on is a top flight power forward, in my opinion. If we can get some kind of sustain to his game by making him Captain, then I say sure! Let's roll with it.

He would HAVE TO be the example night in and night out...every game, otherwise we're just jerkin' our gherkin with him. But I think he's earned some love, and I'll finally come around, and give him a chance to see if he can be the answer.

They can always change that later when Laffy becomes the NEW King of NY...which I think he eventually will.

**Keirik** · 02-01-2021, 04:47 PM

You do not make the captain the guy that takes weekly sabbaticals during each season. Stop it.

**Ozzy** · 02-01-2021, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by Keirik

You do not make the captain the guy that takes weekly sabbaticals during each season. Stop it.

I've been on his ass for how long now, Keirik?? Forever!! I'd piss on a spark plug if I knew it'd start a fire under this guy's ass!!

**ThirtyONE** · 02-01-2021, 05:15 PM