I'm so upset today.
You know, maybe it'll be great if he gets traded because it's so exhausting constantly defending this player.
Last night was a bad play, and he's accountable for that. But people think he's a dirty player. People thought that before last night. Where does that come from? Never been suspended. Somebody said on Twitter last night "Chris Kreider and injuring people, name a more iconic duo." And I was like "ok, let me start you off with Carey Price and let's see the rest of the list." I'm still waiting on that reply.
I know there was no ill-intent on that play. I know he didn't mean for that to happen. I know that because I know it. People are gonna say "oh, well you can't psycho-analyze the player." The **** I can't. I've observed him at his occupation for nine years, I know who he is.
DeAngelo would do that. Lemieux would do that. Kreider wouldn't do that.
What's astounding to me is that 30 fanbases think this guy is a murderer and the one fanbase that watches him tells me he's too soft, he's too nice, he doesn't hit enough, he's not engaged enough, he's not enough of a physical threat. It's a direct contradiction. It's amazing what happens to this man.
Regarding that one fanbase, I'll never understand the expectations they put on this guy. He's not an offensive superstar. He's never going to put up silly numbers. He never has at any level. I was thrilled he started out the year pacing for 40 and if he hit 40, it would have been one of my great experiences as a Rangers fan. If it ends up being about 28, I would have signed up for that before the season. He is what he is and I don't understand why most Rangers fans can't just be ok with that. He's a very good player.
People will bring up the contract and say "well, he's good but he's not worth that UFA price tag." Look, I spend a lot of time on this forum. You picked on him when he was making 4 million and you picked on him when he was on his ELC. The contract thing would be a fair argument, but don't ****ing lie to my face. You know who you are.
28 goals and 53 points or thereabout on a player that's a good 200 foot player, one of the better play-drivers in league, and by all accounts an outstanding teammate should be unanimously revered by the fanbase, not one of its more polarizing.
As for the people who think he's some vicious, dirty player, that's just the nerds and Al Bundy's of the world who never got over the high school jock thing (and I say that as a nerd). As for Rangers fans, the problem isn't Kreider, the problem is the Rangers. Guys like Wilson, Oshie, Guentzel, etc are loved by their fanbases because they do their thing (which is be very good players) and they have Ovechkin, Backstrom, Crosby, and Malkin to score every ****ing night. Here, Kreider is the main event, and it's the Rangers' inability to attain elite talent that forced him into that. THAT'S NOT HIS FAULT. And Zibanejad is next. On pace for 77 points. When he doesn't hit 77 every year -and I don't think he will because he's a good center, not a franchise center- he's going to get crucified.
Hopefully with this rebuild, we bring in the marquee talent we've lacked and guys like Kreider can play the roles they belong in, and get the respect they deserve.
I know I shouldn't worry about what people say, but I'm human. These guys become part of your lives, and don't ever tell me it's just a game. And I'm no saint here either. I know Girardi was part of people's lives here and I upset some people, and that's on me. But the thing is, even Girardi's biggest fans never expected him to post 55 points and be in the Norris discussion. I don't understand why the expectations for Kreider are above what he was ever capable of going back to college and before college.
