Chris Kreider, Rangers avoid arbitration, agree to deal

Forward Chris Kreider and the New York Rangers agreed to a deal minutes before their scheduled arbitration hearing Friday morning.

Multiple reports say that Kreider will receive a four-year contract with an annual salary cap hit of $4.625 million.

Kreider, a restricted free agent, had been asking for $4.75 million for a one-year deal in arbitration, while the Rangers countered at $3.2 million. Instead, the sides were able to agree on a long-term contract.

Kreider was coming off two-year deal that paid an annual average salary of $2.475 million.

The Boston College product is coming off two straight 21-goal seasons. In four seasons with the Rangers, Kreider has 61 goals and 68 assists.

Kreider is one of the faster skaters on the Rangers despite his large size (6-foot-3, 226 pounds).