The Toronto Maple Leafs do need depth scoring, but I'm sorry, as exciting as it would be to have a player like him in the lineup every night, Chris Kreider just isn't the player they should be going for.
The Maple Leafs have to set their sights higher, that's all there is to it.
I would really like to add Chris Kreider to the team, for the same reason I liked adding Jake McCabe, Tyler Bertuzzi or Chris Tanev - but given his age, cost, current abilities and playing style, I think the Leafs can do better.
A younger player with a higher upside like Dylan Cozens is just a better investment in every possible way. The Leafs need a star for their third line who can eventually swap places with Tavares, they don't need to airdrop in another veteran player whose best days are behind him.
The Maple Leafs Do Not Need the Rangers Problems: Chris Kreider Trade a Bad Idea
Kreider scored 50 goals three years ago, 36 two years ago, and 39 last year. This year though, he's on pace for less than 30.
Kreider has just 2 5v5 goals, which would actually make him a good fit on the Leafs, but in a bad way. He is shooting half of his normal shooting rate, but that doesn't quite explain the drop off.
After posting great puck possession stats during his last three years, Kredier is only rocking a 45% Corsi this year. Teams are taking advantage of the Rangers when he is on the ice, and the Rangers only get 44% of the shots, and 41% of the dangerous chances when he plays. Worst of all, his Expected Goals rating is 43% and the Rangers are losing his minutes by scoring just 41% of the goals. (naturalstattrick.com).
Most concerning is that for the last 11 years, the Rangers have been expected to win Kreider's minutes in all but one season. This year they are getting crushed when he plays and because he is 33, that should be a HUGE RED FLAG to teams looking to acquire him.
When you consider that he makes $6.5 million for this year and two more years after this, it would be insane to trade for him. The Leafs need to get faster, younger, and they need a centre. Kreider is an old, expensive winger who potentially provides depth scoring, but there are so many better options out there for the Leafs.
Final analysis: Like Trouba before him, the Leafs should want no part of this declining veteran player.