Chris Kreider asked for a trade and now the New York Rangers are left with more questions than answers
The New York Rangers made a jaw-dropping move that took their fans and the hockey world by surprise: they traded Chris Kreider, their longest-serving player and a franchise legend, to the Anaheim Ducks.
After 13 seasons, 326 goals, and countless unforgettable moments in a Rangers jersey, Kreider asked for a trade, marking the end of an era. While Kreider heads west for a new start, the Rangers are left dealing with a lot of uncertainties about their future.
Chris Kreider waived his no trade clause to join a familiar core in Anaheim
The trade was pretty simple but had a lot of significance. The Rangers traded Kreider along with a fourth-round pick in 2025 to Anaheim. In exchange, they received center prospect Carey Terrance and a third-round pick in 2025.
It wasn't a huge deal, but the real surprise was the reason behind it: Kreider wanted to leave.
Ryan Strome, who used to be Kreider's teammate on the Rangers and is now with the Ducks, shared the scoop during an interview. 'He's a very proud Ranger and one of the most accomplished Rangers in history,' Strome said. 'As much as I feel like he needed a bit of a fresh start and a new challenge, I also think it was probably not the easiest thing to go.
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… They wanted to let Chris handle it the way he wanted to handle it. I think he kind of steered the ship a little bit.
'.
Kreider's contract included a no-trade clause, which meant he had to agree to it for the trade to proceed. He opted for Anaheim in part due to familiar faces like Strome, Jacob Trouba, and Frank Vatrano, ex-Rangers who are now part of the Ducks and the appointment of respected coach Joel Quenneville.
Chris Kreider admits playing through injury was a mistake that hurt his performance
Kreider spent 13 legendary years with the Rangers.
He was drafted in 2009 and climbed to third on the team's all-time goals list with 326, only behind Rod Gilbert and Jean Ratelle. He played in the 2014 Stanley Cup Final, leading with determination and passion, and became a beloved figure in New York. But everything changed in the 2024-25 season.
For the first time in four years, the Rangers missed the playoffs, wrapping up the season with a disappointing 27-29-7 record after kicking off with a decent 12-7-0.
Kreider also faced challenges, scoring just 22 goals and 8 assists in 68 games, his lowest tally since the 2017-18 season.
He dealt with a nagging hand injury that ultimately required surgery, which affected his performance all season long. 'I probably should not have tried to play through the injury,' Kreider admitted in a post-season reflection, as noted in the thinking trace, 'but his desire to help the team clouded his judgment.'
Parting ways with Kreider wasn't solely due to his request. Financial factors were significant too. His $6.5 million cap hit was a heavy load, and getting rid of it opened up almost $15 million in cap space, according to PuckPedia. This money could be used to secure young talents like K'Andre Miller and Will Cuylle or to pursue other roster improvements. Drury viewed this as a crucial move to revamp a team that underperformed in 2024-25.
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Fans are puzzled by the return of Carey Terrance along with a third-round pick. While Terrance shows potential as a center, he's still a few years off from making a real impact in the NHL. Detractors argue that this is a lackluster return for someone of Kreider's quality, even now. Plus, losing him creates voids that go beyond just numbers: his leadership, ability to score in clutch moments, and connection with fans are hard to replace in the near future.
FAQs
Why did Chris Kreider struggle in the 2024-25 season?
He struggled due to a hand injury that later required surgery.
What were Kreider's stats in the 2024-25 season?
He had 22 goals and 8 assists in 68 games.
Did the Rangers miss the playoffs in 2024-25?
Yes, they missed the playoffs for the first time in four years.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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