Following a disappointing conclusion to the 2024-25 season, the New York Rangers are implementing significant roster changes. As part of their offseason adjustments, the Rangers have traded experienced scoring winger Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks are a team currently undergoing a rebuild and are looking to make substantial progress in the upcoming 2025-26 campaign.
The specifics of the transaction involve the Rangers sending Kreider to Anaheim in exchange for prospect Carey Terrance. The deal also includes an exchange of draft selections located in the middle rounds.
During his extensive 13-season tenure with the New York Rangers, Chris Kreider established a prominent place in the franchise`s record books. He ranks as the third-highest goal scorer in team history with 326 goals and holds the top spot for career playoff goals with 48. Notably, from 2021 to 2024, Kreider defied the typical aging curve for players, netting 127 goals, placing him seventh among all NHL players during that three-year span.
However, Kreider experienced a noticeable decline in performance last season. At the age of 33, he recorded just 22 goals and accumulated only 30 points over 68 games. Seeking to reshape the team this summer, Rangers general manager Chris Drury opted to move Kreider and free up his $6.5 million annual salary cap hit for the next two seasons.
Meanwhile, the Anaheim Ducks have been struggling for relevance since 2018, having failed to reach the playoffs in the subsequent years. Their rebuilding process has progressed slowly. General manager Pat Verbeek is aiming to accelerate this timeline as the team`s promising prospects begin to reach the NHL level. However, questions arise as to whether acquiring a veteran like Kreider was the most effective strategy to achieve this goal.
Let`s assess the outcome of this trade for each organization, keeping in mind that a definitive judgment can only be made with the benefit of hindsight in the years to come.
The Ducks have not only missed the postseason for the past seven consecutive seasons but also haven`t finished with a winning record during that entire period. The one positive from these struggles has been Anaheim`s ability to accumulate high draft picks and stock their prospect pool. In the recent season, several of these young players began to demonstrate their potential, including Mason McTavish, Leo Carlsson, Jackson LaCombe, Olen Zellweger, and Pavel Mintyukov.
These young talents require support from more established players, which is likely why Verbeek acquired Kreider at a relatively low cost. However, concerns remain about whether this represents an efficient allocation of resources for the Ducks. Kreider is now 34 years old and is coming off what was arguably the worst full season of his career. His production was low, and his performance in five-on-five situations also left much to be desired. It`s questionable how significantly Anaheim`s overall performance will improve with Kreider on the roster. While there might be some positive impact on the power play, it`s difficult to envision him making a major difference elsewhere.
While Kreider`s $6.5 million cap hit isn`t a critical issue for the Ducks, who still possess over $32 million in cap space, there is still an opportunity cost associated with absorbing his salary. Making significant moves in free agency or pursuing other aggressive trade targets becomes slightly more challenging now.
It`s difficult to fully grasp Anaheim`s strategic vision behind this move. Kreider is clearly in the later stages of his career, and his potential impact on this developing roster is uncertain. Targeting younger players who are either entering or currently in their prime might have been a more logical approach for the Ducks` timeline. While there`s a possibility Kreider could experience a resurgence under coach Joel Quenneville, he does not represent a long-term solution. On the positive side, the cost to acquire him was not high. Grade: C
New York Rangers
The primary objective for Rangers general manager Chris Drury was to create salary cap flexibility and move on from a veteran player whose performance is trending downwards. This goal was achieved. The Rangers were in a position where they could not afford to keep the exact same roster structure, making Kreider a likely candidate for a trade. New York now possesses more financial room to make adjustments and build a roster better suited for incoming coach Mike Sullivan.
Regarding the assets received, The Athletic`s draft analyst Scott Wheeler ranked Carey Terrance as Anaheim`s eighth-best prospect last summer. During the 2024-25 season, Terrance recorded a total of 20 goals and 19 assists in 45 games while playing for the OHL`s Erie Otters. If Terrance is able to develop and eventually contribute positively to the Rangers at the NHL level, it would be considered a bonus return for the team.
Essentially, this trade functioned as a salary dump for the New York Rangers. In return for shedding Kreider`s contract, they acquired a mid-level prospect and secured the better draft pick in the exchange. This represents a successful day for Drury and the Rangers front office. The crucial next step is for the team to utilize the newly acquired financial flexibility wisely in further roster construction. Grade: B+
