Chris Kreider eyes place in line-up after absorbing into New York Rangers workout scheme-NHL News
New York Rangers’ new signee, Chris Kreider, looked very much to be a Ranger on Thursday, April 12, 2012, at his first practice session with the team, which has promoted him to the professional squad by skipping his senior season at the Boston College.
By participating in the practice session, the player has helped himself to burn the first year of his three-year deal with the team. He now hopes to win a place in the line-up as earliest as possible.
Kreider admitted that the move to Rangers’ professional side has come as a rather quick transition for him, from the junior to professional hockey league.
He also conceded that there was no reason for him to expect a treatment different from other player’s of the team. He said to be ready to fit in the workout scheme of the team from very first day.
He commented after the practice:
“It was a pretty quick turnaround. Day 1 was pretty exciting. I was just happy to get on the ice.”
However, it was not possible for the player to join the squad for the game 1 of Rangers’ first round of the playoff series against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, which they won by four to two (4-2) goals difference.
For playing a proper game, Kreider, noted he will have to wait and work hard as well.
He said:
“They definitely sent the message that if you want to play you’re going to have to prove that you’re ready to play. You’re going to have to earn you ice time, which is the way it should be.”
Overall, he said to be happy to have arrived in New York and with the possibility of getting a chance for the proper game, all looked set in front of him.
Still, he accepted that the opportunity also presents the challenge of proving himself in a different environment and requirements of the professional league.
Since it was first proper workout with the teammates, the managers and coaching staff did not expect much from him, but they remain hopeful of his potential.
Before the start of the session, Rangers’ head coach, John Tortorella, formally introduced Kreider to his new teammates, but did not allow taking of any questions by him.
The coach said:
“We are happy he’s here, and he’s a Ranger. From there, we go day-by-day. I’m not going to tell you our lineups. I’m not going to get into any of that. But this is a young man that we feel has a great future, and it started with us today. He’s signed, he’s
us, and we move on with our business.”
The player is learnt to have been signed on an entry-level contract, spanning over three years. Although there is no confirmation from the managers, the deal is reportedly carrying $1.3 million cap hit in his annual salary.
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