Kreider, who is dealing with back spasms, said he has spoken to GM Chris Drury about recent trade rumors but declined to characterize the conversation.

When the Rangers’ longest-tenured player, Chris Kreider, was suddenly sidelined the day after his name was mentioned in president and general manager Chris Drury’s league-wide memo eliciting trade partners,

Kreider became only the third Ranger in franchise history to score a natural hat trick with three goals in one period of a playoff game. Chris now elevated himself to a level with previous record-holders Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky.