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NHL trade rumors: Chris Kreider is the Boston Bruins top target

By Dave Stevenson

NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 17: New York Rangers center Chris Kreider (20) skates during the second period of the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers on October 17, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 17: New York Rangers center Chris Kreider (20) skates during the second period of the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers on October 17, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider has been involved in a lot of NHL trade rumors lately. According to NBC Sports Boston’s Joe Haggerty, he’s the guy the Boston Bruins really want.

With the NHL trade deadline about a month away, teams are starting to plan their strategies. According to the latest NHL trade rumors, the Boston Bruins have found the guy they really want. And it’s someone they’ve been reportedly coveting for quite some time.

That guy is New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider, who would bring size and skill to the Bruins. This report comes from NBC Sports Boston’s Joe Haggerty.

Here’s what Haggerty had to say.

"But when they do become full-out sellers at some point in the second half of the season, [Kreider] will be the Bruins top option for a top-6 winger at the trade deadline, according to multiple hockey sources."

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Kreider would be a very nice addition for the Bruins. He could help their second line improve immensely. Kreider would also be a great asset for the Bruins power play, which is already one of the most lethal in the NHL.

In 47 games this season (as of Jan. 21), he has 16 goals, 15 assists, and 31 points. 21 of those points, including nine goals, have come at five-on-five play. Additionally, Kreider has added nine points (including six goals) on the power play.

Among the 324 forwards with at least 1,500 five-on-five minutes since the start of the 2017-18 season, Kreider ranks 77th in five-on-five points per hour with 1.98. This is better than such players as Blake Wheeler, Phil Kessel, and Anze Kopitar.

Additionally, his five-on-five goals per hour rate of 0.89 is 66th. That’s better than some pretty impressive players, including Evander Kane, Claude Giroux, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Mark Scheifele.

Along with impressive skill, Kreider also has a lot of grit to him. He ranks 63rd in five-on-five hits per hour among forwards since the start of 2017-18. Kreider is very effective around the crease and plays the kind of brand of hockey that has success in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Furthermore, his possession stats are excellent. When Kreider is on the ice, his team tends to do a lot better. His relative five-on-five CorsiFor percentage of +4.87% ranks 18th among forwards. Also, Kreider’s relative five-on-five GoalsFor percentage of +10.68% ranks 15th. Moreover, his relative five-on-five expected goals for percentage of +5.10% ranks 20th.

3 Teams Who Should Trade For Kreider. dark. Next

The Bruins need to add some forward depth at the trade deadline. Kreider seems to fit the bill perfectly and would help the Bruins make their second line a lot better than it currently is.

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