Chris Kreider, the New York Rangers’ winger, was deeply affected by the departure of his teammate and friend Barclay Goodrow earlier this summer. Kreider expressed the emotional toll of losing a player he had formed a strong bond with, calling it the unfortunate side of the business. Goodrow, whom Kreider had expected to continue playing alongside,
was placed on waivers by the Rangers in June. He was subsequently claimed by the San Jose Sharks, marking a significant move that allowed the Rangers to clear the remainder of Goodrow’s $3.64 million cap hit.
The decision to part ways with Goodrow opened up critical cap space for the Rangers, a team facing significant financial decisions. Following his departure, New York signed restricted free-agent defenseman Braden Schneider to a two-year, $4.4 million deal. The team is also working on new contracts for key players, including defenseman Ryan Lindgren and star goalie Igor Shesterkin,
who is due for a raise from his current $5.67 million cap hit. The Rangers bolstered their roster further by acquiring veteran winger Reilly Smith from the Pittsburgh Penguins and center Sam Carrick, with their remaining cap space hovering around $5.1 million.
Kreider and Goodrow shared three seasons as teammates, with Goodrow initially joining the Rangers in 2021 on a six-year, $21.85 million contract. Goodrow had previously spent six years in San Jose, where he built his career before returning to the Sharks. His best statistical season with New York came in 2021-22 when he recorded 13 goals and 33 points.
Last season, however, Goodrow’s role diminished, and his point total dropped to 12 in 80 games, though he played a key role in the Rangers’ playoff run, contributing eight points in 16 games.
Despite the challenges of last season, Kreider performed well, scoring 39 goals during the regular season and eight more in the playoffs. He led the team through their deep postseason run, which ended in the Eastern Conference Final at the hands of the Florida Panthers.
Kreider admitted to watching the Stanley Cup Final, despite typically avoiding such games when his team is eliminated.
The departure of Goodrow marks the end of an era for the Rangers, and while the team continues to reshape its roster and manage its salary cap, Kreider’s reflections serve as a reminder of the personal connections that form between teammates, which can often transcend the business decisions of professional hockey.
Leave a Reply