NHL player agent urges Rangers to trade $68,000,000 center instead of Chris Kreider

The New York Rangers have mulled trading veterans like Chris Kreider. They're mired in a disastrous start to the year, sitting at 20-20-2 and seventh in the Metropolitan Division.

After a deep playoff run last season, this has been a shocking campaign for the Rangers. They've already traded Kaapo Kakko, and more could be on their way out. If it comes down to it, Kreider would be a tantalizing trade asset.

According to The Athletic's Arthur Staple and Peter Baugh, one hockey player agent believes the veteran shouldn't be the one traded if someone leaves New York this year.

“I’d say probably (Zibanejad)," Staple and Baugh wrote on Tuesday. "He’s the one guy who I would think has been underachieving or has potentially the most talent that maybe someone sees and feels that a change of scenery might be good for him."

The agent also believes that Mika Zibanejad, who is on a $68 million contract, would be the better trade piece. He could bring back more than Kreider would despite an underwhelming year for the center.

The agent also mentioned K'Andre Miller as a possible trade candidate instead of Kreider because he's not as "smart, mean or has the upside" of other players on the roster.

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Executives debate whether or not Chris Kreider should be traded

Chris Kreider was named by New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury as a possible trade candidate, so the rumors that he'll be shipped elsewhere are not unfounded. Two NHL executives debated whether it would work out for New York.

Is Chris Kreider going to be traded soon? (Imagn)

“It’s Kreider or Zibanejad, and I’d probably do Kreider first," an NHL executive said, via The Athletic. "That wing spot is where they have some kids coming. They’ve got (Will) Cuylle, who could do with more minutes. They’ve got (Brennan) Othmann, who you’d want to see get a chance. (Gabe) Perreault coming soon.”

Another one noted that Kreider's age and his rough season indicate that he'd be the one to go over Mika Zibanejad. However, he acknowledged that his age and injury history might dampen a potential return, making it less worthwhile for the Rangers to pull the trigger on a move.