Chris Kreider scores a power play goal in Game 5.
AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

A day after coming to an agreement with Mats Zuccarello, the Rangers and restricted free agent Chris Kreider beat the clock avoiding arbitration by agreeing to a two-year $4.95 million contract. The deal will pay Kreider $2.35 million in ’14-15 and $2.6 million in ’15-16.

A former ’09 first round pick, the 23-year old Kreider completed his first full season posting 17 goals and 20 assists with a team best plus-14 rating in 66 games. The 6-3, 226-pound forward matured under Alain Vigneault, who emphasized the former Boston College standout utilize his size creating a net presence. He added five goals and eight assists in the playoffs.

After failing to make the roster out of camp, Kreider came back with a vengeance playing with more edge. Using his size, speed and strength, he became a thorn in the side of opposing goalies by netting six power play goals. When he wasn’t scoring, Kreider used his game breaking speed accidentally injuring Carey Price in the Eastern Conference Final. It led to Michel Therrien accusing him of wrong doing and former teammate Brandon Prust coining the phrase “accidentally on purpose.”

Under the new contract, Kreider’s average cap hit is $2.475 million over the next two seasons. After re-signing Zuccarello ($3.5 million) and Kreider, Glen Sather is left with approximately $6.3 million for RFA’s Derick Brassard and John Moore. Brassard has filed for arbitration while Moore isn’t eligible. With two-thirds of the key forwards out of the way, Slats will turn his attention to Brassard, who earned $3.7 million last year. Figure between $4.5 and 5 million leaving enough wiggle room to fit Moore in.

As for Kreider, he’s a building block who should only improve. What can he do if he’s able to play a full 82? Expectations will be higher with a spot on either the first or second line possible. His most success came playing with former WJC linemate Derek Stepan, who also teamed with Rick Nash. It’ll be interesting to see if Vigneault keeps them together or decided to separate his top two left wings and moves up Martin St. Louis.

Don’t forget Carl Hagelin is entering the final year of his contract and will earn $2.4 million. Like Stepan, he’s restricted next summer. Stepan is in the last year of a bridge deal and set to make $3.85 million. With Marc Staal in the final year of a contract making $5.45 million before turning unrestricted in 2015 and the potential of Zuccarello and Brassard also possibly UFA’s, Sather will have his work cut out for him next year.