Report Connects Rangers to Former MVP Taylor Hall as Potential Kreider Replacement
The New York Rangers are expected to be active this offseason, potentially reshaping their roster after a disappointing campaign. One notable change could involve long-time forward Chris Kreider.
According to NHL insider Rob Couch of NHLTradeRumors, the Rangers are eyeing veteran winger Taylor Hall as a possible free-agent acquisition should they decide to move on from Kreider. Couch notes that Hall’s recent performance makes him a strong candidate to fill the void, especially given Kreider’s decline in production this past season.
“The Rangers are expected to part ways with Chris Kreider and will need new contributors,” Couch wrote. “Hall tallied fewer goals than Kreider but finished with 11 more points, despite playing for a struggling Blackhawks team. Since being traded to Carolina, he’s shown he can still perform at a high level. He’s 33, but still quick, stayed healthy this year, and could be a strong middle-six addition on a short-term deal.”
Hall, who won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 2018 and is a former first-overall draft pick, posted 17 goals and 22 assists for 39 points over 75 games this season. His speed and offensive upside could make him a valuable top-six option for New York—especially at a lower cost than Kreider.
Rangers Miss Playoffs After Presidents’ Trophy Season
After finishing last season with the league’s best record and capturing the Presidents’ Trophy, the Rangers fell short of the playoffs this year—a significant letdown for the team and fans alike.
Head coach Peter Laviolette reflected on the collapse, saying, “We had chances in the final 20 games to control our own fate, but we didn’t capitalize. It’s on us. We needed to be better. Every year, we’ve expected to contend for a Stanley Cup. This disappointment is very real.”
Forward Vincent Trocheck echoed those sentiments, noting the team failed to bring consistent energy throughout the season: “You can’t just expect things to go the same way as the year before. We earned it last year. We didn’t earn it this time.”
The Rangers will wrap up their 2024–25 season at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 17.
Kreider’s Future in New York Uncertain
Longtime Ranger Chris Kreider could be on his way out this summer, as trade rumors around the veteran continue to gain traction. Vincent Z. Mercogliano of Lohud reports that a separation between the two sides is becoming increasingly likely.
“It feels like the Rangers and Kreider are heading toward a split,” Mercogliano noted. “He’s been mentioned in trade talks since GM Chris Drury included him in a team memo. While the chatter has died down recently, sources say the team is still interested in moving him.”
Kreider recorded 21 goals and 7 assists for 28 points in 67 games this season—well below his previous output. With his production down and contract still on the books, the Rangers may be eager to offload his deal to free up cap space for more impactful additions like Hall.
As the offseason nears, all signs point to a busy and possibly transformative summer for the Blueshirts.
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