The New York Rangers, coming off a lackluster 2024-25 season, have initiated significant roster changes by trading veteran winger Chris Kreider to the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks are reportedly looking to accelerate their progress in the upcoming 2025-26 season.
The transaction sees Kreider heading to Anaheim in exchange for forward prospect Carey Terrance. The trade package also includes a swap of mid-round draft picks.
Across 13 seasons with the Rangers, Kreider established himself as a franchise cornerstone, ranking third in career goals (326) and first in playoff goals (48). Notably, from 2021 to 2024, he defied expectations for a player his age, scoring 127 goals, placing him seventh in the league during that period.
However, Kreider`s production significantly declined last season. At age 33, he recorded only 22 goals and 30 points in 68 games. Seeking to reshape the roster this summer, Rangers GM Chris Drury opted to move Kreider and shed his $6.5 million annual salary cap hit for the remaining two years of his contract.
Meanwhile, the Ducks have been struggling significantly, having missed the playoffs since 2018 and failing to achieve a winning record in that span. General Manager Pat Verbeek aims to accelerate the team`s slow rebuild as their promising prospects mature, but questions arise whether acquiring Kreider is the most effective approach.
This trade warrants examination to assess its potential impact on both franchises, understanding that a definitive evaluation will only be possible years down the line.The Trade
Ducks receive
- LW Chris Kreider
- 2025 fourth-round pick
Rangers receive
- C Carey Terrance
- 2025 third-round pick
The Grades
Anaheim Ducks
Despite their seven-season playoff drought and lack of a winning record, the Ducks have successfully built a strong prospect pool through high draft picks. Several of these young players, including Mason McTavish, Leo Carlsson, Jackson LaCombe, Olen Zellweger, and Pavel Mintyukov, demonstrated significant potential this past season.
While adding experienced help around young prospects is a valid strategy, questions remain about the efficiency of acquiring Kreider, even at a low cost. At 34 years old, he is coming off arguably the least productive full season of his career, and his five-on-five performance was concerning. It is questionable how much significant improvement Kreider can bring to the Ducks` overall game, beyond perhaps boosting the power play.
While Anaheim`s substantial remaining cap space (over $32 million) makes Kreider`s $6.5 million cap hit manageable, there is still an opportunity cost involved. Committing this amount slightly restricts their flexibility for potential impactful free agent signings or aggressive trades.
Overall, the strategic rationale behind this acquisition for the Ducks appears unclear. Kreider is in the twilight of his career, and his potential impact on a rebuilding team is debatable. Targeting players entering or in their prime might have been a more logical approach. Although a bounce-back under coach Joel Quenneville isn`t impossible, Kreider doesn`t represent a long-term piece. The low acquisition cost is the primary positive aspect. Grade: C
New York Rangers
For the New York Rangers, the objective was clear: shed salary and move a declining veteran contract. They accomplished this goal. Unable to keep the previous roster intact, Kreider became a logical trade candidate. The freed-up cap space provides GM Chris Drury with increased flexibility to rebuild the team under new head coach Mike Sullivan.
Regarding the return package, prospect forward Carey Terrance was rated as Anaheim`s eighth-best prospect by The Athletic`s Scott Wheeler last summer. In the 2024-25 OHL season with the Eerie Otters, Terrance recorded 20 goals and 19 assists. His potential to develop into an NHL contributor represents a bonus for the Rangers.
Ultimately, this trade served primarily as a salary cap relief measure for the Rangers. Securing a promising mid-tier prospect and acquiring the better draft pick (a third-rounder compared to sending a fourth-rounder) makes it a successful transaction for GM Drury. The key now is how effectively the newly available cap space is utilized to improve the roster. Grade: B+
Torin Vale 
Elton Marrow