Though only 26, Chris Kreider is a grizzled veteran. He is one of the few players left from the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals roster and has been a New York Ranger for five seasons. His tenacity and hard-nosed net front presence makes him a fierce competitor.
However, we came very close to losing him this season. After a poor start, it was announced that Kreider was diagnosed with a blood clot and would be requiring surgery. He was out of the line up for 24 games.
Kreider returned to the lineup a man possessed. He looked like the gritty, scoring forward we have come to know and love.