Following a disappointing 2024-25 campaign, the New York Rangers are initiating significant roster changes. They have completed a trade sending experienced winger Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks, a team in a rebuilding phase aiming for substantial improvement in the upcoming 2025-26 season.
In the agreement, the Rangers are trading Kreider to the Ducks in exchange for prospect Carey Terrance. The deal also includes a swap of mid-round selections in the draft.
During his thirteen seasons with the Rangers, Kreider established himself prominently in the franchise`s historical records. He holds the third position all-time in career goals with 326 and is first in career playoff goals with 48. Remarkably, between 2021 and 2024, Kreider defied typical aging curves, scoring 127 goals, which ranked seventh across the entire NHL during that three-year span.
However, Kreider`s performance saw a notable decline last season. At 33 years old, he registered only 22 goals and 30 points over 68 games. Seeking to make strategic adjustments over the summer, Rangers General Manager Chris Drury decided to move on from Kreider and his $6.5 million annual cap hit for the next two seasons.
Conversely, the Ducks have struggled significantly since 2018, failing to reach the playoffs and not finishing above a .500 record in that period. This prolonged difficulty has at least allowed Anaheim to build a strong pool of prospects through high draft selections. In the most recent season, some of these young talents began to demonstrate their potential, including Mason McTavish, Leo Carlsson, Jackson LaCombe, Olen Zellweger, and Pavel Mintyukov.
These emerging players require veteran support around them, prompting General Manager Pat Verbeek to acquire Kreider at a relatively low cost. The question remains whether this represents an efficient use of resources for the Ducks. Kreider is now 34 and is coming off the weakest full season of his career. Beyond his reduced scoring, his performance at five-on-five play was also underwhelming. It is uncertain how much impact Kreider can truly have on improving Anaheim`s roster, possibly offering some help on the power play but likely limited elsewhere.
The $6.5 million cap hit is not a major constraint for the Ducks, as they maintain significant cap flexibility with over $32 million available. Nevertheless, accepting Kreider`s salary carries an opportunity cost, potentially making aggressive pursuits in free agency or the trade market slightly more challenging.
It is difficult to clearly discern Anaheim`s strategic vision with this acquisition. Kreider is undeniably nearing the end of his career, and his potential contribution to the team`s improvement seems limited. A more logical approach for the Ducks might involve targeting younger players who are either approaching or currently in their prime. While a rebound under coach Joel Quenneville is possible, Kreider does not represent a long-term solution. At least the cost to acquire him was modest.
Anaheim Ducks Grade: C
For the New York Rangers, Chris Drury`s objective was to free up salary cap space and trade a veteran player whose performance was declining. This trade achieves that goal. The Rangers were unable to continue with the same roster composition, making Kreider a clear candidate for a trade. New York now possesses increased financial flexibility to reshape its team for incoming head coach Mike Sullivan.
Regarding the return, The Athletic`s draft analyst Scott Wheeler ranked Carey Terrance as Anaheim`s eighth-best prospect last summer. In the 2024-25 season, Terrance recorded a total of 20 goals and 19 assists in 45 games playing for the Eerie Otters in the OHL. If Terrance develops to reach the NHL and contribute positively to the Rangers, it would be a beneficial outcome.
Effectively, this transaction served as a salary cap dump for the Rangers, resulting in them acquiring a mid-tier prospect and receiving a better draft pick in the swap. General Manager Drury had a productive day, though the ultimate success will depend on how wisely he utilizes the newly created cap space.
New York Rangers Grade: B+
