Rangers Trade Chris Kreider to Ducks in Major Offseason Move

New York, NY

The New York Rangers have traded veteran winger Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks after he waived his no-trade clause, both teams announced on Thursday. In exchange for Kreider, the Rangers will receive Anaheim’s center prospect Carey Terrance and a third-round draft pick in 2025.

Kreider, who had spent his entire 13-year career with the Rangers, has two years left on his contract with an annual cap hit of $6.5 million. The trade allows the Rangers to free up crucial salary cap space during a summer where they look to reshape their roster after missing the playoffs last season.

“Chris Kreider is the type of player we were looking to add this offseason,” said Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek. “He has size, speed, and is a clutch performer that elevates his game in big moments.” Kreider’s addition will also enhance Anaheim’s special teams, a critical area for improvement.

The Rangers’ management, led by general manager Chris Drury, had indicated their intentions to move Kreider as part of a retooling effort. Drury noted, “We want to thank Chris Kreider for all of his contributions to the Rangers organization. His leadership and performance during our playoff runs were invaluable.”

In his final season with the Rangers, Kreider notched 22 goals and 30 points in 68 games. However, he struggled with health issues, including vertigo and a hand injury. Despite these setbacks, he remains the franchise leader in playoff goals and was a key player in their journey to the Stanley Cup Final in 2014.

Twenty-year-old Carey Terrance, drafted in 2023, comes to the Rangers with promising credentials. He scored 20 goals and 39 points for the Erie Otters in the OHL last season, and also helped Team USA secure gold at the World Junior Championships two consecutive years.

The trade reflects both teams’ strategies: the Ducks hoping to bolster their lineup for a playoff push, and the Rangers seizing a chance to create more financial flexibility and ownership of their future.

As the NHL offseason progresses, both franchises now look to their next steps following this significant move.