The situation with Chris Kreider is very similar to the situation the New York Rangers faced with Kevin Hayes last summer. Kreider is entering the last year of a four year deal he signed in 2016 at an annual cap hit of $4.625 million per year. The Rangers have to decide if they want to extend his contract or let him enter his walk year with the likelihood of a trade deadline deal.
The difference with Hayes was that he was a Restricted Free Agent so the Rangers were in negotiations last summer on a long-term contract or a one year extension (they chose the latter).