New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider will not return to Saturday's contest against the Detroit Red Wings after suffering an upper-body injury, the team announced.

Kreider went to the locker room in the second period after taking an inadvertent knee to the head from teammate Mika Zibanejad.

The 28-year-old winger is considered one of the most coveted pending unrestricted free agents ahead of the Feb. 24 trade deadline.

Kreider was playing excellent hockey entering Saturday's tilt, notching six goals and nine points over his last nine contests. He ranks third on the Rangers in both goals (18) and hits (91) while averaging 17:42 of ice time per game this season.

The Massachusetts native took part in his first career All-Star Weekend in January after replacing teammate Artemi Panarin at the event.

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