Report: Chris Kreider To Return To School For Junior Year

According to a report in yesterday's New York Post, Boston College's Chris Kreider is set to return to school for his junior season:

"The Rangers have yet to open talks with Boston College sophomore winger Chris Kreider about leaving school to turn pro, sources have told The Post.

Beyond that, an individual close to Kreider told The Post yesterday that the club's 2009 first-round Entry Draft selection is currently planning to return to BC for his junior season."

The Rangers tried to lure Kreider away from school last summer, and will likely make a similar offer after the school year ends. The Rangers brass seems to think Kreider will need a year with its AHL affiliate Connecticut Whale under his belt before he makes the jump to the pros. In other words, this probably isn't the last we'll hear about Kreider potentially jumping to the Rangers. But this is good news nonetheless. 

Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if Kreider leaves school and turns pro. When he was drafted with the 19th overall pick in the 2009 Entry Draft, I figured York would hold onto him for a max of two years. Especially given the history of BC players drafted that high in the draft. So, in a way, we are playing with house money if Kreider comes back.  

If Kreider stays for his junior year, however, it would be a huge boost to an Eagles roster that will already be without four of its top five scorers from this past season -- Atkinson, Gibbons, Jimmy Hayes and Joe Whitney . In all likelihood, Kreider would be York's starting left winger on a first line that would include center Pat Mullane and right winger Steven Whitney.

Kreider finished the year with 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 32 games for the Eagles. Through two seasons, he has 47 points in 70 career games.