Rangers sign Chris Kreider; he'll wait his turn

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- On Saturday night, Chris Kreider was celebrating Boston College's NCAA championship in Tampa. Wednesday he wore No. 20 on a Rangers' helmet and skated as a spare on a line with Brian Boyle, Brandon Dubinsky and Ruslan Fedotenko. "Pretty quick turnaround," said Kreider, who decided to forego his senior year and sign a three-year entry-level contract in time for his first NHL practice.

Kreider, who has starred for Team USA in the World Junior Championships and won two NCAA titles, knows the transition will be slower. "They definitely sent a message that if you want to play, you have to prove that you're ready to play, and you're going to have to earn your ice time, which I think is the way it should be," the 20-year-old Boxford, Mass., native said. "No expectations coming in; just trying to be a sponge and learn from everyone."

He knows that the Rangers have nurtured former collegians Derek Stepan, Ryan McDonagh and Carl Hagelin, and about the work necessary to join them. "Those guys have earned it," said the 6-3, 220-pound right wing who was drafted in 2009. "I still need to earn that respect . . . I know that I have a pretty big body so I just try to wreak as much havoc as I can."

How soon Kreider debuts depends on coach John Tortorella, who simply said: "We're happy he's here, he's a Ranger. We'll go day-by-day. This is a young man we feel has a great future."