Chris Kreider netted a goal in the Connecticut Whale's 2-1 win over the Worcester Sharks. Kreider has two goals and eight points in 13 AHL contests this season. If it wasn't for the lockout, Kreider might have never needed to play in the AHL. He went straight from the NCAA to the NHL playoffs in 2011-12 and would have almost certainly been on the Rangers' opening game roster.

Chris Kreider has been suspended one game by the AHL as consequence for a boarding incident against Norfolk on Oct. 19. Kreider will miss Connecticut's game against Albany on Oct. 24. The Rangers winger has struggled so far with the AHL club. He's tallied just two assists in four games, while racking up 23 PIMs. It isn't likely that Kreider will be a source for PIMs at the NHL level.

Chris Kreider had an assist, but Connecticut couldn't keep pace with Bridgeport Sound on Friday, losing 6-4. Kreider burst on the scene from Boston College for the Rangers in last season's playoffs, but really has very little experience against higher-level competition. This time in the minors will keep him sharp and ready for a top-six role in New York. Kris Newbury had two goals, with Matt Gilroy also getting an assist.

Much-hyped New York Rangers prospect Chris Kreider scored a hat trick against the Worcester Sharks. Kreider could be one of those players whose development benefits considerably from some reps in the AHL. A lot was made of Kreider's work in the playoffs, yet many believed that he could use a little more seasoning. Perhaps an abbreviated (or even full-season) run with the Connecticut Whale could get him ready for extended NHL duty. Steve Zipay noted the hat trick.

Rangers' prospect Chris Kreider will suit up for the Connecticut Whale of the AHL during the lockout. The New York Rangers selected Kreider with the 19th pick in the 2009 entry draft. The fact that Kreider went straight from the NCAA to the NHL playoffs last season is impressive and very fantasy relevant. Kreider even scored five postseason goals to set an NHL record for the most playoff goals before participating in a single regular season game but will start the season in Connecticut. "He's getting competition that a lot of these guys aren't experiencing right now. Playing and practicing are two different things. When you're playing, it's a lot more competitive, it's harder work, it takes more out of your body, but it's putting more back into you. It's a good experience for him," Rangers GM Glen Sather said. Kreider is someone to keep an eye on for fantasy purposes, especially if he suits up alongside Brad Richards and Rick Nash when the NHL resumes play.

Chris Kreider was in attendance for the opening of AHL Connecticut's training camp this past weekend. The 21-year-old forward is primed for NHL duty once the lockout ends after he generated five goals and two assists in 18 playoff games with the Rangers. Kreider will have to wait a little longer to make his NHL regular-season debut, but he is taking his new assignment in the minors in stride. "It's still a huge jump up from where I played most of last year," said the former Boston College star. "I'm a rookie, there's still a ton to be learned. It's getting my feet wet, it's my first pro camp." He is slated to play alongside Brad Richards and Rick Nash when the NHL resumes play.

Chris Kreider will participate in the NHLPA Rookie Showcase, along with a number of other talented prospects. 2012 top-five draft picks Nail Yakupov, Ryan Murray, Alex Galchenyuk, Griffin Reinhart and Morgan Rielly will also be in attendance at the annual event that will take place Tuesday, Aug. 28 in Toronto. Click the link for remaining participants who were announced by the players' association.

Chris Kreider has now received $300,000 in bonuses for playing in 15 playoff games. Kreider netted his fifth postseason goal on Saturday to set an NHL record for the most playoff goals before participating in a single regular season game. He earned $25,000 for playing in five postseason contests, another $100,000 after the 10-game mark, and an additional $175,000 for reaching the 15-contest milestone.

Chris Kreider tied an NHL record with his fourth playoff goal on Wednesday night. He has scored the most tallies without playing in a regular-season game since Eddie Mazur of the Montreal Canadiens found the back of the net four times over a span of three years from 1951-53. Ray Cote of the 1983 Edmonton Oilers and George McPhee of the 1983 Rangers scored three goals each in a single playoff run before playing in their first regular-season matches and Kreider has moved past both of them. Kreider had a quiet series against Washington in the semifinals, but he has looked dangerous versus New Jersey with two goals and one assist in two games so far during the Eastern Conference final. The rookie forward has six points in 14 postseason contests.

"Lethal" shot and instincts help Chris Kreider through ups and downs of postseason. Thrown into the postseason fire after his glorious career at Boston College came to a close with another NCAA title, Kreider has not surprisingly endured peaks and valleys during the Rangers' run to the ECF. When Kreider does experience a game he would rather forget, he has demonstrated the knack for rebounding in a big way. He has also has shown his considerable skill level with Game 1 against the Devils Exhibit A for just that.