On Thursday, June 13, 2025, the New York Rangers officially traded left wing Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks. In return, the Rangers received 19-year-old center Carey Terrance and Anaheim’s 2025 third-round draft pick, No. 89 overall. As part of the deal, Anaheim also received the Rangers’ 2025 fourth-round pick, No. 104 overall. The Rangers did not retain any portion of Kreider’s $6.5 million average annual value (AAV) cap hit.
This trade was not sudden. Back in November 2024, Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury sent a message to all 31 other NHL general managers, making it known that he was willing to trade core players, including Chris Kreider and defenseman Jacob Trouba. Trouba was traded to the Ducks in December 2024.
Although Kreider had Anaheim on his 15-team no-trade list, according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, he waived it and agreed to the trade.
- The Rangers traded Chris Kreider to the Ducks for Carey Terrance and a 2025 third-round pick, clearing $6.5 million in cap space.
- Will Cuylle is expected to re-sign, but K’Andre Miller is likely to be traded before July 1.
- GM Chris Drury is considering offer sheets, with JJ Peterka as a possible target.
Kreider Ends 13-Year Career with Rangers After Injury-Plagued Season
Chris Kreider was drafted by the Rangers in the first round in 2009. He joined the team during the 2012 playoffs and went on to play 13 seasons in New York. In total, he played 883 regular-season games, scoring 326 goals, which ranks third in team history. He also tied the franchise record for most power-play goals with 116 and played in 123 playoff games—more than any other active Ranger.
Kreider also holds the franchise record for most goals scored in the playoffs. In 2021-22, he had a career-high 52 goals. Just last year, in Game 6 of the second round against the Carolina Hurricanes, he scored a hat trick to help the Rangers reach the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in three years. After that game, fans left hats on his lawn in celebration.
This past season, however, Kreider struggled. He dealt with several health issues, including back spasms, an illness that caused vertigo, and a left hand injury that might need surgery. Because of these problems, he was limited to just 22 goals and eight assists in 68 games. The previous season, he had recorded 75 points.
When the season ended, Kreider said he still wanted to stay in New York. “This is home for me,” he said. “This is the organization that gave me the opportunity to live out my dreams. I’ve developed so many incredible relationships, and grown up, and spent so much time in this area, so obviously this is where I want to be.”
Despite that, the Rangers told Kreider and his representatives after the season that they planned to trade him. The team needed to free up cap space, and his departure helped increase their available funds from under $8.5 million to just under $15 million, according to PuckPedia.
Rangers Acquire Prospect Carey Terrance
The player the Rangers received, Carey Terrance, is a 19-year-old center who was drafted 59th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft. In the 2024–25 season, Terrance played for the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He recorded 39 points in 45 games.
In January 2025, Scott Wheeler of The Athletic ranked Terrance as the 10th-best prospect in the Ducks’ system. In April 2025, Anaheim signed Terrance to a three-year entry-level contract. Wheeler wrote that Terrance showed “signs of creativity and vision,” but that his future NHL potential would depend on whether he could improve his playmaking skills.
The Rangers also gained $6.5 million in salary cap space by moving Kreider’s contract in full. Before the trade, they had under $8.5 million in available space. After the deal, that number rose to just under $15 million, according to PuckPedia.
Will Cuylle Expected to Stay After Breakout Season
Will Cuylle is a 23-year-old left winger and a restricted free agent. In the 2024–25 season, Cuylle scored 20 goals and recorded over 300 hits. He was one of the few standout players on the Rangers’ roster last season.
As of mid-June 2025, Cuylle does not have a new contract. Sources say a deal is not yet closed, but there is a belief that Cuylle wants to stay in New York. The timing of Kreider’s trade may have helped speed up negotiations, as the cap space created gives the Rangers more flexibility to reach an agreement.
Arthur Staple of The Athletic reported earlier that Cuylle was a top target for teams looking to make offer sheets. However, insiders now believe that he will re-sign with the Rangers.
K’Andre Miller Likely to Be Traded as Rangers Shift Defensive Focus
K’Andre Miller is also a restricted free agent and remains one of the most talked-about players on the Rangers’ offseason list. Miller, who is 25 years old and listed at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, had an up-and-down season.
Reports indicate that the Rangers are actively considering trading Miller. One reason is his inconsistent performance on the ice. Another is Chris Drury’s preference for defensemen who bring more physicality to the lineup. There is also reported off-ice frustration directed toward Miller inside the locker room.
According to sources, the Rangers are aware that Miller is likely to test unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2027. They are trying to move him before that happens to get maximum return.
There’s also the possibility of an offer sheet. If another team offers Miller a contract worth between $4.68 million and $7.02 million per year, the Rangers would receive a first- and third-round pick in the 2026 draft if they choose not to match. But the team prefers a trade that brings in players who can help now.
The Rangers are exploring defensive options. Reports have linked them to UFA Vladislav Gavrikov. Gavrikov is 29 years old and would fill a need on the left side, but he could cost between $7 million and $8 million per year. A contract at that price would last into his mid-to-late 30s, which the Rangers may want to avoid after just shedding Kreider’s long-term deal.
Mika Zibanejad Expected to Stay Despite Kreider’s Departure
Another name that has come up in rumors is Mika Zibanejad. The 32-year-old center was very close with Kreider and has voiced concern in the past about how some teammates were treated. Still, two sources say Zibanejad is expected to remain with the team next season.
He has a no-movement clause and would only consider a very short list of teams if he were to leave. But right now, he seems focused on staying in New York with his family. The team is also helping him work through physical and mental challenges to prepare for next season.
Zibanejad was one of the players who wanted David Quinn—his former head coach—to return to the team. Quinn, who helped Zibanejad achieve his best scoring season in 2019–20 with 41 goals in 57 games, may now come back as an assistant under new head coach Mike Sullivan.
Rangers Considering Offer Sheets for Players Like JJ Peterka
For years, NHL general managers have avoided using offer sheets due to the fear of retaliation. But that may be changing. Inspired by St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong—who signed Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg from the Edmonton Oilers—Chris Drury is reportedly open to using offer sheets.
One name linked to the Rangers is JJ Peterka, a 22-year-old winger from the Buffalo Sabres who scored 68 points last season. According to “The Win Column,” Peterka’s next deal could be worth between $7 million and $7.5 million per year.
To complete an offer sheet for Peterka, the Rangers would need to give up their 2026 first-round pick, 2026 third-round pick, Brennan Othmann, and another prospect.
Buffalo has $23 million in cap space, meaning they could match the offer. But Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said the Rangers “don’t seem all that bothered by the fact that people are linking them to offer sheets.”
Ducks Use Cap Room to Add Kreider and End Playoff Drought
From the Ducks’ point of view, the trade makes sense. Anaheim had over $38 million in cap space before the deal. GM Pat Verbeek said Kreider is “the type of player we were looking to add this offseason.” He praised Kreider’s speed, size, and ability to perform in big moments. He also said Kreider would help improve both of Anaheim’s special teams units.
The Ducks haven’t made the playoffs in seven years. With new head coach Joel Quenneville and more spending power approved by team owner Henry Samueli, the team is looking to compete now. Kreider’s 22 goals from last season would have tied for the team lead with Mason McTavish. Anaheim scored only 217 goals in total last season, ranking 30th out of 32 NHL teams.
Kreider joins a roster that already includes former Rangers teammates Jacob Trouba, Ryan Strome, and Frank Vatrano. The Ducks had been interested in Kreider for some time and became more serious after hiring Quenneville.
