Rangers, Kreider avoid arbitration; agree to 2-year, $4.95-million contract

The New York Rangers and 23-year-old power forward Chris Kreider avoided a scheduled salary arbitration hearing with an 11th hour settlement on Wednesday. The two sides agreed to terms on a two-year contract worth $4.95 million dollars in total, according to a report from CBC's Tim Wharnsby. The two-year pact will carry an average annual value of $2.475.

Kreider, 23, had a break-out season in his first full campaign as an everyday NHL player, scoring 17 goals and 37 points in 66 regular season games. In the postseason, Kreider elevated his game on New York's run to the Stanley Cup Final, with 13 points in 15 Stanley Cup playoff games. (650k) (850k)

This two-year "bridge" deal will pay Kreider $2.35 million in the first year of the contract, and $2.6 million in the second year of the deal. Kreider's camp was asking for $2.8 million per year at arbitration, while the Rangers were seeing a contract with an annual averaged value of $2.05 million - so the settlement comes in at a figure that is modestly slanted towards Kreider's ask. 

The Rangers were scheduled to have three arbitration hearings in late-July, but have now settled with Kreider and skilled forward Mats Zuccarello. Forward Derick Brassard is still on the docket, and his arbitration hearing is scheduled for Monday, July 28.