After missing the playoffs and finishing with one of the league’s worst power plays, the Bruins are eyeing Rangers winger Chris Kreider to bring some much-needed firepower to their top unit.
Boston looking for answers after power play collapse
It’s not hard to pinpoint where things went wrong for the Bruins this year.
Their power play fell off a cliff—ranking 29th in the NHL with a 15.22% conversion rate and just 35 goals on the man advantage.
In a season where scoring was down across the board, that lack of production proved fatal.
Now, the Bruins are in the market for help, and they may have their sights set on someone who not only knows how to score—but also knows Boston.
Chris Kreider, the long-time Rangers forward, is reportedly being considered in trade discussions.
Kreider isn’t just a proven finisher, he’s one of the NHL’s best when the pressure is on. Back in 2021–22, he led the league with 26 power-play goals and finished with 52 total.
He’s followed that up with 36 and 39-goal seasons, showing no signs of slowing down at age 33.
Bruins trade offer could include Zacha, Lysell, and a first-round pick
Sources indicate that Boston might be willing to part with center Pavel Zacha, top prospect Fabian Lysell, and a 2026 first-rounder in exchange for Kreider.
Zacha, 28, logged big minutes for the Bruins this year and carries a $4.75 million cap hit.
Lysell, meanwhile, has shown flashes of top-end talent in the AHL but hasn’t cracked Boston’s NHL lineup in a meaningful way yet.
Cap space, though, remains a challenge.
With just $744,000 available, the Bruins would need to get creative—or hope New York is open to retaining some of Kreider’s salary.
Why Kreider fits the Bruins beyond the stats
Kreider isn’t just another scorer.
He’s a Massachusetts native who played his college hockey at Boston College.
A return to Boston wouldn’t just be a change of scenery—it’d be a return home.
On the ice, he’s the kind of net-front presence the Bruins have been missing. He finishes in tight, scores gritty goals, and thrives when the stakes are high.
That’s exactly the kind of help David Pastrnak needs on the top line.
Don Sweeney faces a pivotal decision
GM Don Sweeney doesn’t have the luxury of waiting.
After a year that felt like a step backward, the Bruins need to act quickly to stay competitive.
Moving top assets for a 33-year-old might raise eyebrows, but Boston isn’t rebuilding—they’re retooling.
And if the goal is to win while Pastrnak is still in his prime, a deal for Kreider makes sense.
With a hometown connection, elite finishing ability, and a power-play track record most teams would kill for, Kreider might just be the jolt Boston needs to start climbing again.
