Chris Kreider’s name was floating around before the NHL Trade Deadline, but he remains a member of the New York Rangers, at least for now.

To do so in a season that has been difficult to find hope in but is not yet hopeless, the Rangers president and general manager strived to make moves that made the most sense for the future while not sacrificing the team’s competitiveness for this final 20-game push to qualify for the 2024-25 playoffs.

The Blueshirts did some buying and some selling, but avoided costly rentals and are in better long-term position for it.