Kreider Traded To Anaheim

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

In the evening on June 10th, 2025 there was a report by Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff that the Anaheim Ducks and New York Rangers were discussing a trade involving Chris Kreider. It originally sounded like the deal would be completed on Wednesday, but Kreider had to waive his no trade clause for the deal to happen. Eventually the deal was completed today.

The Ducks acquired Kreider and a 2025 fourth round pick (104th overall) for Carey Terrance and a 2025 third round pick (89th overall from Toronto) according to Pierre LeBrun.

General Manager Pat Verbeek on the trade: “Chris is the type of player we were looking to add this offseason. He has size, speed and is a clutch performer that elevates his game in big moments (and) also upgrades both of our special teams units, something we really needed to address.”

Analysis:

Kreider is 34 years of age and has two years left on his contract, which has a cap hit of $6.5 million. So not a bad deal for the Rangers as they clear cap space, picked up Carey Terrance in the deal (scored 20 goals with Erie last season), and moved up one round in the draft pick exchange. This is the second time recently where New York was able to clear cap space in a trade with Anaheim. Last season they traded Jacob Trouba to the Ducks for Urho Vaakanainen and a conditional 4th round pick in 2025.

Anaheim will take on the cap hit of $6.5 million for the next two seasons, but it won’t affect the team too much as they have about $32+ million plus still in cap space per Puck Pedia. The Ducks do still need to sign RFAs Lukas Dostal, Drew Helleson, Isac Lundestrom, Brett Leason, and Mason McTavish. A bridge deal for Dostal or McTavish or both will help especially if Anaheim, as previously reported, still wants to make a serious run at players like Mitch Marner and Jason Robertson.

The Ducks did move down one round in the draft pick exchange in this deal and traded away Terrance, a potential future offensive scorer in the NHL. But Anaheim is getting a player who is a proven goal scorer and will contribute immediately.

Kreider has spent his entire career playing with the Rangers for 13 years. He recorded 582 total points (326 G + 256 A) in 883 games in New York. He scored over 20 goals in his last seven seasons. In the 2020-21 season he scored 50 goals and then followed that up with 36 and then 39 in the following two seasons. He posted 206 total points (125 G + 81 A) in those three seasons.

Last season he played in 68 games producing 30 total points (22 G + 8 A). He missed some games in November due to back spasms and he was ill for part of the season with vertigo. He is also currently dealing with a hand injury he suffered back in February, which could require surgery.

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The question is which Kreider will show up in Anaheim? Will he return to the form he was playing before last season or will last season carry over where he was slowed down due to multiple injuries (and some team drama). He is a big forward that drives to the net and scores in close, which Anaheim certainly needs more of in the lineup. He can also produce on the power play as 116 of his 326 career goals have come with the man advantage. One of Pat Verbeek‘s areas he wanted to address this summer was the lack of scoring on the power play. Kreider can also play on the penalty kill, which has also been lacking in recent seasons.

Kreider should fit in well with the team having a connection with Trevor Zegras as they have trained together growing up and currently participate in the Shoulder Check Charity event in the summer. Kreider will also be reunited with Ryan Strome, Jacob Trouba, and Frank Vatrano, who played with him in New York previously.

Kreider will definitely have an impact offensively at even strength and on the power play in Anaheim. He will help improve Anaheim’s offense, the only question is by how much.

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June 16th, 2025

Support us by becoming a DucksNPucks patron! Members can win game tickets, Ducks gear, and more!

Want to start your sports media career? Then Join The Puck Network!

DucksNPucks is part of The Puck Network, which covers the entire NHL. There are openings to cover your favorite team(s) and earn school credits! If you are interested, then apply by filling out the form here: Join Our Team. What are you waiting for? Start your sports media career TODAY!

June 12th, 2025