On June 12, 2025, the New York Rangers traded veteran forward Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks. The deal sent Kreider and a 2025 fourth-round pick to Anaheim in exchange for center prospect Carey Terrance and a 2025 third-round pick. Consequently, Kreider’s 13-season run with the Rangers, where he played 883 games, scored 326 goals, and recorded 582 points, has come to an end.
Kreider was originally drafted 19th overall by the Rangers in 2009, and he spent his entire NHL career with the team until the trade, placing him as the third all-time goal scorer in franchise history behind Rod Gilbert (406) and Jean Ratelle (336). He holds the record for the most career playoff goals in the team’s history and contributed to their appearance in the 2014 Stanley Cup Final, as well as five Eastern Conference Finals.
His tenure concluded after a 2024–25 season in which the Rangers finished with a 27-29-7 record, missing the playoffs for the first time in four years. The season began with a 12-7-0 start but ended in disappointment. Kreider scored 22 goals and added 8 assists in 68 games, his lowest full-season totals since the 2017–18 campaign.
- Kreider’s exit from the Rangers concludes a 13-year career featuring 326 goals, five Eastern Conference Finals, and a 2014 Stanley Cup Final appearance.
- A trade request, injury battles, and financial considerations led to his move to Anaheim, where he joins former Rangers and embraces a new leadership role.
- Despite a difficult season, Kreider is recovering fast from hand surgery and preparing to reignite his career with a fresh mindset and renewed energy.
Injuries, Trade Request, and a Quiet Departure From New York
Kreider dealt with several physical setbacks during the 2024–25 season. He sustained a hand injury that ultimately required postseason surgery involving metal rods and left him with a three-inch scar. The injury was expected to require six to eight weeks of recovery, but Kreider was medically cleared after four weeks.
Other health issues during the season included back spasms and vertigo caused by illness. Reflecting on the season, Kreider admitted, “I probably should not have tried to play through the injury,” saying that his desire to help the team affected his judgment.
Kreider became a focal point of criticism during the team’s struggles. He was a healthy scratch for a December 23 game against the New Jersey Devils, which the Rangers lost 5-0. Later, a trade memo from Rangers general manager Chris Drury leaked, listing Kreider and then-captain Jacob Trouba as available for trade.
Kreider ultimately requested a trade and waived his no-trade clause to approve a move to Anaheim. There was no farewell press conference or social media post from Kreider; he rather expressed his appreciation quietly. “Gratitude for how I was treated,” he said regarding his time with the Rangers.
Familiar Teammates and Market Reactions
Anaheim was not originally on Kreider’s trade list, but he approved the deal after discussions with his family. He joined a roster that already included former Rangers Jacob Trouba, Ryan Strome, and Frank Vatrano. Kreider said that wearing Ducks equipment for the first time was surreal, “There are brush points where it’s kind of like ‘this is happening, for sure.’ (After Anaheim) shipped out my new equipment, jumping on the ice with Ducks stuff on, and people coming up to me and being like ‘you look weird.’”
Kreider continues to train in Stamford, Connecticut, with NHL fitness coach Ben Prentiss. At Prentiss Hockey Performance, he has been working alongside current and former teammates such as Adam Fox and Brett Berard. He’s also scheduled to skate in the Shoulder Check Showcase in the area.
Anaheim’s front office emphasized Kreider’s value as a veteran presence. Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek highlighted Kreider’s size (6-foot-3, 226 pounds), scoring ability around the net, and skating as key assets. Kreider also praised Anaheim’s young talent, calling center Leo Carlsson a “unicorn” and describing Mason McTavish as a “bull.”
Ryan Strome, who played with Kreider in New York and joined the Ducks in July 2022, said, “He’s a very proud Ranger and one of the most accomplished Rangers in history… I think he’s got a ton of game left.” Strome added that Kreider was probably playing through some tough injuries last season, and that personal and team disappointment kind of just snowballed there in a bad direction.
Following the trade and Anaheim’s recent roster changes, betting markets showed modest adjustments. At BetMGM, the Ducks’ odds to win the Stanley Cup shortened slightly, moving from +10,000 to +9,000. This change came after the additions of Kreider, Trouba, and coach Joel Quenneville.
In contrast, Kreider’s individual betting markets have seen no significant movement. His Hart Trophy (NHL MVP) odds remain at +50,000 on DraftKings and FanDuel. At BetMGM, he is listed as “off the board” due to low betting volume. According to BetMGM data, there is no measurable handle on Kreider in MVP markets as of July 2025.
Cap Space, Contract Implications, and Rangers’ Outlook
Kreider’s departure also provided the Rangers with financial relief. His contract carried a $6.5 million cap hit, and his exit created nearly $15 million in available space, according to data from PuckPedia. This could help the team re-sign young players such as K’Andre Miller and Will Cuylle or explore other roster upgrades.
Some fans and analysts questioned the return value of the trade. Carey Terrance, acquired in the deal, is a center prospect still a few years away from NHL readiness. Detractors viewed the trade package — a third-round pick and Terrance — as underwhelming for a player with Kreider’s resume, which includes 326 goals and extensive playoff experience.
While the Rangers move forward with a reshaped roster, Kreider is preparing for his first NHL season outside the Northeast. When asked how he felt about the trade, Kreider responded, “Good,” and then added, “Bit of a loaded question.” For now, he continues to train and recover, quietly entering a new phase of his career with the Anaheim Ducks.
