Chris Kreider is an Anaheim Duck!

The Anaheim Ducks and New York Rangers have completed a trade which will send forward Chris Kreider to Anaheim, for picks and Ducks prospect Carey Terrance.

In order for the deal to go through however, Kreider needed to waive his 15 team No-Trade Clause for him to go to Anaheim, which he did. 

Kreider has been a mainstay in New York since he was drafted in the first round, No. 19 overall in the 2009 NHL draft by the team. In 13 seasons with the Rangers, he ranks No. 3 all time in goals for the team and No. 1 in playoff goals with 48. This tweet by Vince Z. Mercogliano helps to show just how important Kreider has been for the Rangers. 

Kreider steps into Anaheim as an instant top option. He has scored over 20 or more goals in 10 of his 13 seasons, even peaking at 52 goals in the 2021-2022 season. Even if Kreider were to score 25 goals, he would still rank among the top Ducks goalscorers, as last season’s leading scorer was Mason McTavish with 22. 

In the deal, the Rangers will get Carey Terrance, a center from Akwesasne, New York, who the Ducks drafted in the second round, No. 59 overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. The 20-year-old has seen his numbers drop over the last two years, however, he still scored 20 goals and had 19 assists last season. The return might not be the greatest for the Rangers, but it seems like the trade is mainly to dump Kreider’s large contract. 

The Ducks will take on most or all of Kreider’s $6.5 million AAV. Anaheim is likely an enticing location thanks to the some former Rangers that currently play for the team. Jacob Trouba, the former captain of the Rangers, had been teammates with Kreider since the 2019-2020 season before being traded to Anaheim early this past season. Ryan Strome, who has been with the Ducks for three seasons, spent four with Kreider and the Rangers from 2018-2022. 

Kreider has experience playing with both of these guys, and would likely enjoy the chance to play with them again in Anaheim. The deal is likely to benefit both sides as well. Anaheim would get a proven goal-scorer who has playoff experience, and the Rangers would get a solid return and the ability to shed Kreider’s large contract. 

References

X.com

Hockey reference.com

EliteProspects.com