New York Rangers coach Peter Laviolette facing major backlash for misuse of veteran forward

It's not easy to say that Chris Kreider is a liability for the New York Rangers this season.

As predicted, his hot streak would end, and so would his production. It'd decline massively, as the Rangers will have to figure out how to duplicate his production in the lineup.

He's steadily declined from a 72-point player and is now producing at a 36-point pace.

Worthy of demotion by any means.

And yet:

Peter Laviolette has extended his leash for far too long in the lineup while letting younger forwards like Brett Berard, and Brennan Othmann languish in the AHL.

While Kreider's shooting percentage has declined like his production steadily every season according to StatMuse.

During the 2021-2022 NHL season, Kreider was shooting at a 20.2 rate, which led to him putting up career numbers scoring 77 points (52 goals, 25 assists).

And now, we've seen a significant drop in his production in 2024-2025, along with a shooting percentage of 14.4%.

A massive fall-off for someone the Rangers depended on for consistent goals and playmaking.

Of course, we have to be fair in this assessment, given that he's been injured the majority of this year.

So that could be a factor in his lack of performance with the Rangers this year, but the variables are off the charts when the entire time fails to produce at a rate that they did last season.

The season that saw them make it to the Eastern Conference Finals, and win a President's Trophy.

Kreider has 22 points ( 18 goals, 4 assists) on a Rangers team that needs to find their "why" again.