The first significant trade of the NHL offseason saw veteran forward Chris Kreider move from the New York Rangers to the Anaheim Ducks. This transaction, which also involved draft picks and a prospect, prompts the question: what does this mean for each franchise?
On Thursday, the Rangers sent Chris Kreider and a 2025 fourth-round pick (originally Anaheim`s, acquired in a previous trade) to the Ducks. In return, New York received center prospect Carey Terrance and a 2025 third-round pick (originally Toronto`s, acquired previously by Anaheim).
Let`s examine the implications and assign grades for both clubs based on this move.
New York Rangers
Grade: B+
Several factors contributed to the Rangers` decision to trade Chris Kreider. Creating salary cap space was a primary driver, alongside questions about his production and the availability of potential replacements.
Kreider consistently scored 20+ goals, achieving this milestone for the 10th time in his career and seventh consecutive season. However, his production saw a decline this past season, finishing with 30 points in 68 games (0.44 points-per-game), down from an average of 69 points over the previous three years where he topped 36 goals each season.
With two years remaining on his contract at a $6.5 million annual cap hit, his salary became a key consideration for the Rangers.
The need for cap flexibility is significant. Goaltender Igor Shesterkin`s new contract starting in 2025-26 will increase his cap hit substantially ($11.50 million from $5.67 million). Additionally, in-season trades for Will Borgen (who signed a five-year extension at $4.1 million AAV) and J.T. Miller (in the second year of a seven-year, $8 million AAV deal) added $12.1 million annually to their books.
This financial pressure is compounded by a large restricted free agent class needing new deals, including key players like K`Andre Miller, Zac Jones, Matthew Robertson, and Will Cuylle.
While replacing Kreider`s on-ice contributions presents a challenge, the signing of Boston College winger Gabe Perreault offers a potential cost-controlled, top-six option. The trade itself frees up $14.922 million in cap space (per PuckPedia), providing the Rangers with significantly more flexibility for this offseason`s RFA signings and potential other moves.
Acquiring Carey Terrance adds a center prospect to the system. Terrance, a 2023 second-round pick, had a solid season with the OHL`s Erie Otters (39 points in 45 games, his third straight 20-goal season) and represented Team USA at the World Juniors. He provides depth at a position where the Rangers` prospect pool needed reinforcement, joining Noah Laba and Dylan Roobroeck.
Anaheim Ducks
Grade: B+
The acquisition of Chris Kreider signals the Anaheim Ducks` continued commitment to their rebuilding strategy: supplementing their promising young core with experienced veterans. This approach aims to propel them towards playoff contention or at least the wild-card picture in the 2025-26 season.
The Ducks have excelled in drafting and development, and they`ve strategically added respected veterans like Radko Gudas, Alex Killorn, Frank Vatrano, and Jacob Trouba (Kreider`s former teammate).
Kreider further strengthens the Ducks` top-nine winger group, joining players such as Sam Colangelo, Cutter Gauthier, Troy Terry, Alex Killorn, and Frank Vatrano. This diverse group provides multiple scoring threats.
Perhaps most notably, the Ducks made this move while possessing substantial financial flexibility. Even after taking on Kreider`s $6.5 million cap hit, PuckPedia projects they still have over $32.188 million in available space. This makes Anaheim a potential destination in free agency on July 1.
General Manager Pat Verbeek must manage this cap space responsibly. Key young players like Lukas Dostal, Drew Helleson, and Mason McTavish are pending RFAs requiring new contracts soon. The following offseason presents an even larger challenge with Leo Carlsson, Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov, Trevor Zegras, Olen Zellweger, and Cutter Gauthier all needing deals simultaneously.
The abundance of young talent on entry-level contracts is precisely what affords the Ducks this flexibility. It allowed them to acquire Kreider for assets like a draft pick and a prospect in Terrance, who was deemed expendable given Anaheim`s existing center depth in the NHL and prospects like 2024 pick Lucas Pettersson.
Since initiating their rebuild, the Ducks have prioritized tangible progress, developing one of the NHL`s strongest farm systems. They`ve also demonstrated the ability to make timely veteran acquisitions like Kreider.
Finishing with 80 points last season – their best total since 2018-19 – marks a critical juncture. This progress, combined with significant offseason moves and a coaching change (from Greg Cronin to Joel Quenneville), indicates the Ducks believe they are ready to take the next step.
The Western Conference is highly competitive. While established contenders remain strong, teams like the Kraken (2022-23), Canucks (2023-24), and returning Blues (2024-25) have shown that teams can rapidly improve and contend for playoff spots.
Anaheim finished 16 points out of a wild-card spot last season. However, their consistent gradual improvement and proactive offseason strategy suggest they could soon be serious contenders, either knocking on the playoff door or pushing right through it.
Benedict Kingsley 
Rupert Hartwell