Chris Kreider agrees to terms with Rangers

Forward Chris Kreider agreed to terms on a contract with the New York Rangers on Friday, avoiding their scheduled arbitration hearing.
Details of the contract were not released, but CBC reported it to be four years and $18.5 million.
Kreider, 25, had 43 points (21 goals, 22 assists) in 79 games last season. The 21 goals matched his NHL career-high from the 2014-15 season. He also had two goals in five Stanley Cup Playoff games.

In four seasons with the Rangers, Kreider has 129 points (61 goals, 68 assists) and 224 penalty minutes in 248 regular-season games. He has 20 goals and 13 assists in 65 playoff games.
"Hopefully I am just scratching the surface," Kreider said Thursday at Smashfest, a charity table tennis tournament in Toronto hosted by Dominic Moore, an unrestricted free agent center who played the past three seasons with the Rangers. "I am of the mindset that I am trying to get better every single day. I guess if you are not improving, there's no point of doing it."
It's the second time Kreider has avoided an arbitration hearing in the final moments. His previous contract was agreed to July 23, 2014, the same day his case was scheduled.
"I guess it's just part of the process," Kreider said. "You can't let the business side of things frustrate you."
Kreider was the third player the Rangers avoided an arbitration hearing with this summer, following new contracts for forward J.T. Miller and defenseman Dylan McIlrath.
Later Friday, forward Kevin Hayes agreed to terms on a contract with New York to avoid an arbitration hearing scheduled for July 27.