Latest news with #ChrisKreider
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Six words, one motion: How hockey's Shoulder Check Showcase is enshrining kindness into ritual
NHL (via Getty Images) Before a puck was dropped at the third annual Shoulder Check Showcase, the crowd at Terry Conners Rink was already in synch—by gesture and six words that have become a spreading movement in the hockey universe: "Reach out. Check in. Make contact." This year's Showcase was more than just another midsummer charity game, just another one. It was a reunion, a healing ground, and, to many—both players and fans—a vow kept. Jake Oettinger , Trevor Zegras , Chris Kreider and other NHL stars unite for something greater than the game It started, as always, with a soft but intense moment. Emcee Dave Maloney asked the sold-out arena in Stamford, Connecticut, to put their left hand on their right shoulder. "Don't be shy," he instructed, and the whole rink stood up and recited those words aloud—a tribute to Hayden Thorsen, the 16-year-old from Darien whose heartbreaking death in May 2022 has brought about a nationwide change in how the hockey community approaches mental health. Then the lights went out. John Brancy, a voice known to New York Rangers enthusiasts in Madison Square Garden, starts a rousing performance—not of the national anthem but of "Lean on Me," newly accepted as the official anthem of the Showcase. Cell phone lights flash like candles around the rink, lighting not only faces but also purpose. Shoulder Check Showcase 2025 From NHL trades to personal vows, players are making the message come before the spotlight. Chris Kreider, now with Anaheim, and Trevor Zegras, just traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, haven't missed a single issue since the start. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Washington week is here - Watch live tennis from the US capital all week Tennis TV Watch Now Undo So, has the emotional significance behind why they continue to return. "I think everyone has experienced some struggle with their own mental health," Chris Kreider said. "I know someone who has, so unfortunately that's a fact of life. I think it's a simple concept but an incredibly powerful concept: just checking in and making sure people in your life are OK and being able to have those conversations in communication. " For Jake Oettinger, this year was the first time for him. The Dallas Stars goalie had promised the Thorsen family in 2024. Last year, he couldn't attend. This year, there was nothing that could keep him away. Jake Oettinger took Dallas to the Western Conference Final and was pulled halfway through Game 5 against the Edmonton Oilers after two swift, disputed goals were tallied on him. His coach publicly criticized him. For Oettinger, that experience was more than merely a defeat—it was a call to reach out. Washington Capitals defenseman Ryan Leonard was a new addition to the group this year, as were longtime fans Kevin Shattenkirk—now retired and employed by the NHL Players' Association—and Sam Colangelo, who came back with Ducks teammates Frank Vatrano and Mason McTavish. Each tale was different, but the message was the same: Make contact. Be there. Have your voice heard. Also read: Olympic hockey in 2026 promises 'best-on-best' as NHL stars return to represent their nations The Shoulder Check Display is no longer just remembering Hayden Thorsen. It's about keeping his spirit alive through empathy, conversation, and community. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Chris Kreider asked for a trade and now the New York Rangers are left with more questions than answers
(Image Source - Getty Images) 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo … 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. Also Read: Sidney Crosby is just 36 points from passing Mario Lemieux and this season might be his biggest chapter yet 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!
New York Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
After ‘iconic' Rangers tenure, Chris Kreider opens up about New York departure: One-on-one
STAMFORD, Conn. — Chris Kreider arrived a few minutes early for his Monday workout at Prentiss Hockey Performance, where he's spent summers training for more than a decade. An array of jerseys from the gym's current and former clients line the walls, and Kreider's is featured prominently right across from the entrance. Advertisement With time to burn, the 34-year-old winger plopped into a chair at the front desk, turned toward the computer and pretended to do administrative work. As an earlier workout group of NHLers shuffled past, Kreider said hello to Adam Fox and Brett Berard, his now-former New York Rangers teammates. Much to Kreider's delight, Berard was wearing a shirt from Boston College, where his brother, Brady Berard, currently plays and where Kreider starred for three years. They chatted for a moment about the Golden Eagles' upcoming season. Relaxing behind the desk, Kreider was home. Comfortable. In a familiar place before a massive change. Last month, the Rangers sent Kreider — their longest-tenured player — to Anaheim for a third-round pick and prospect Carey Terrance, ending one of the most storied careers in franchise history. New York drafted Kreider with the No. 19 pick in 2009, and he became one of the faces of the team after his splashy debut in the 2012 playoffs. He was the constant from the 2014 team that made the Stanley Cup Final through the rebuilding teams of the 2010s to the return to contention in the 2020s. He's third in franchise history in goals, tied for first in power play goals and first in playoff goals. Now, for the first time, he won't be tipping in pucks for the Rangers. He's part of another NHL organization, one nearly 3,000 miles away from the only region he's ever called home. Kreider grew up in the Boston area, played for Boston College and then went to the Rangers. He's never lived outside of the Northeast. So how, in this time of transition, is he feeling about everything? 'Good,' he told The Athletic, before laughing. 'Bit of a loaded question.' He's at least had a bit of time to settle into an answer. Plenty of his former teammates have been dealt in-season. That, Kreider knows, can be a bit of a shock. Since his exit happened over the summer, he's been able to process the move at his own pace. Advertisement 'For me it's been kind of gradual, which I think is nice,' he said. 'I don't know; I have nothing to compare it to. '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.'' The Rangers informed Kreider early in the offseason that they intended to move him, then worked with his camp to find a destination that suited him. Kreider had listed the Ducks on his partial no-trade list but agreed to sign off on the deal after taking a day to talk through the situation with his family. Anaheim's roster features several of Kreider's old Rangers teammates and friends, including former captain Jacob Trouba, Frank Vatrano and Ryan Strome, who joked that he urged Kreider to 'hurry up and sign the papers' while making the decision. 'He's a very proud Ranger and one of the most accomplished Rangers in history,' said Strome, who played with Kreider in New York from 2018-22. '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. … When you're dealing with a player of that pedigree and I think (with) the way some of the other exits of the Rangers' veterans in the previous years have gone, 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.' The Ducks' recent hiring of coach Joel Quenneville also intrigued Kreider, and he liked their young core, especially up the middle. He referred to 20-year-old center Leo Carlsson as a 'unicorn' Monday and called Mason McTavish a 'bull.' Kreider added that new teammates Radko Gudas, Troy Terry and Cutter Gauthier all welcomed him after the deal was finalized on June 12, and that Strome has been 'super helpful throughout the whole process.' Kreider is coming off a trying season in which the Rangers missed the playoffs. He had scored at least 36 goals in each of the prior three seasons but managed only 22 in 2024-25, his lowest mark in a full season since 2017-18, and had only eight assists in 68 games. In November, team president and general manager Chris Drury sent a memo to other general managers saying he was open to trading roster players and mentioned Kreider and Trouba by name. That came two games into a 4-15-0 skid and foreshadowed both veteran players' departures. Advertisement Along with the trade rumors, Kreider battled multiple injuries over the year. He dealt with back spasms in the first part of the season, then an illness that resulted in vertigo coming out of Christmas break. When he started to feel healthy again, he hurt his left hand in a February game against Buffalo. He sat for six games, then tried to play through the injury with lots of tape on his hand, hoping to help the Rangers into a playoff spot. That wasn't particularly effective. 'One little push in the game and it was just back to square one,' he said. After the season, Kreider had surgery that put metal in his hand to hold it together, leaving him with a three-inch scar. 'Now I've got a Wolverine hand,' he said, mimicking the superhero unleashing one of his retractable claws. The doctor gave Kreider a six-to-eight week recovery timeline, but Kreider recalled receiving medical clearance to return in four. 'I've been doing a ton of stuff in here (in the gym), just doing what I can to be in good shape,' he said. As he talked through the surgery, Kreider detoured to reflect on several other hand and wrist issues he dealt with in his Rangers tenure: a scaphoid injury that ended his 2014 regular season and sidelined him until the second round of the playoffs; an ECU tendon tear he played through in 2017; a wrist injury in the 2022 playoffs. Some were more prohibitive than others, and his hand injury in 2025 was one that likely affected his performance. 'I think he's got a ton of game left,' Strome added. 'I think Kreids is a very humble guy. Last year he wouldn't tell many people but he was probably playing through some tough injuries. You topple on that with some team disappointment and some personal disappointment and I think things kind of just snowball there in a bad direction.' Strome also believes joining the Ducks could help rejuvenate Kreider, even if the initial sight of him wearing their jersey might be jarring. Advertisement 'That'll definitely take some getting used to,' Strome said. 'The last two decades, you think of iconic New York Rangers and you have Henrik Lundqvist, then Chris Kreider is — if not second — third or fourth on that list.' Since the trade to Anaheim, Kreider said plenty of people in the community have approached him and expressed their gratitude, which seemed fitting. 'That's how I feel, too,' he said. As for whether a change of scenery will help bring out extra motivation, Kreider said with a laugh, 'This is my first time experiencing it. Hopefully.' Kreider has yet to visit Anaheim since the deal, but he's figured out a place to live close to other players. He's planning to take a trip there soon. 'I've gotta get the lay of the land,' he said. But just because he's no longer a Ranger does not mean he's bidding a permanent farewell to the Northeast. Asked if Connecticut and the New York area will remain home for his offseasons, Kreider answered before the question was over. 'Yes.' He has roots here — and a whole lot of history, too. (Photo by Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Agent uses Brad Marchand example for Chris Kreider after trade from Rangers: ‘change can be refreshing'
When selling Chris Kreider on the benefits of being traded by the New York Rangers to the Anaheim Ducks, agent Matt Keator came up with a very timely comparison how Brad Marchand is flourishing now with the Florida Panthers after 16 seasons with the Boston Bruins. After more than a decade playing for one team in the same city with the same routines and comfort level, change can definitely be a positive thing. Advertisement 'I actually used Brad Marchand as an example of a guy who, hey, change is good. Change can be refreshing for a player. I think in Chris' case, it's going to be very refreshing,' Keator told hosts Pierre McGuire and Jimmy Murphy on The Sick Podcast. 'He's going to have five and a half months between his last hockey game to his next hockey game, and he's utilized the time, all the time, to prepare his body and mentally get ready for the season. I think he's going to have a great year.' The Rangers traded Kreider to the Ducks last week for 20-year-old center prospect Carey Terrance and a swap of mid-round draft picks. Most importantly, Anaheim picked up the remaining $13 million owed Kreider over the next two seasons, giving New York a much-needed $6.5 million more in salary-cap space. 'The math didn't add up in New York, and it was time [to move on],' Keator said simply. Of course, moving on after 13 seasons with the same organization is not exactly easy. But, hey, as Keator pointed out, look at Marchand, who spent 16 seasons with the Bruins, won the Stanley Cup with them in 2011 and was their captain the past two seasons. Marchand gave everything he had to the Bruins, but was dealt to the Panthers ahead of the trade deadline in March amid a terrible season for them and with the 37-year-old set to become an unrestricted free agent. Advertisement And how's that working out for Marchand? Well, in case you missed it, after recovering from an injury late in the season, he's living his best life in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Marchand is tied for third among all skaters with 10 goals in the postseason, and is the first player since Esa Tikkanen with the Edmonton Oilers in 1988 to score six goals in the Stanley Cup Final. Marchand and the Panthers are one victory away from winning the Stanley Cup, with Game 6 against the Oilers set for Tuesday at Amerant Bank Arena. So, change doesn't have to suck, does it? Related: Rangers rumors: Mika Zibanejad trade speculation picks up after Chris Kreider deal Ducks 'poised to win, and Chris wants to win,' agent says about former Rangers star Brad Penner-Imagn Images Of course, there's no guarantee that Kreider will be in the Cup Final next spring with the Ducks. In fact, you'd expect he won't be. The Ducks haven't made the playoffs in seven straight years. But with an extremely talented young core, paired with key veterans like Kreider, and three-time Stanley Cup winner Joel Quenneville now behind the bench, the Ducks are coming fast and should challenge for a postseason berth next season after they improved 21 points year-over-year in 2024-25. Advertisement It'll also be a fresh start for the 34-year-old forward, who dipped to 30 points this past season with the Rangers, despite finishing third on the team with 22 goals. 'Obviously, things in Anaheim have really changed for the better with Joel Quenneville going there and what (general manager) Pat Verbeek's done there. And they're poised to win, and Chris wants to win,' Keator explained. Kreider took his time examining the situation in Anaheim, which was included on his no-trade list, before signing off on this deal. He spoke to former Rangers teammates Jacob Trouba, Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano, who all play for the Ducks. And Keator had Kreider speak with two of his clients that are with the Ducks, veteran forward Alex Killorn and emerging star Leo Carlsson. He also spoke with Quenneville. Advertisement Clearly, Kreider liked what he heard. 'He had great chemistry with Strome in New York, and off ice with Trouba and Frankie Vatrano. I think for him it was learning more, educating himself,' Keator stated. 'We did a zoom call … and [the Ducks] did a good job outlining where they are at, and they're in a win-now mode. Joel made a real good point on the call that that where they're at now reminds him of the [Chicago] Blackhawks in '08. If you remember, they won in 2010. It was quick. It was two years later and they were off to the races, and that's what this team has.' It might sear the eyeballs seeing Kreider in that bright orange Ducks jersey. And there will be other things for the popular former Rangers star to get accustomed to. Advertisement But change most definitely can be a good thing. Just ask Brad Marchand. Related Headlines
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chris Kreider's trade to Ducks comes with hint of Rangers blue, reuniting with 3 ex-teammates
Chris Kreider won't have to search far for a new carpool buddy in Anaheim — his favorite one is already there. Years after sharing rides to and from New York Rangers games and practices, Kreider and Ryan Strome are teammates once again, this time with the Ducks. On a recent episode of Light The Lamp with Ducks reporter Alexis Downie, Kreider was asked who his favorite carpool companion was with the Rangers. It was a bit of a set-up because Strome sent the question in. Advertisement 'I think first person I drove with was Mats Zuccarello, and then there was a time period with Cam Talbot and Adam McQuaid, and then it was Fil Chytil and Ryan Strome. So, I mean, recency bias, obviously 'Stromer'.' Kreider was traded to the Ducks last week for 20-year-old center prospect Carey Terrance and a swap of mid-round draft picks. He arrives after spending all 13 seasons of his NHL career on Broadway. The 34-year-old is changing teams, uniforms and coasts, but he's not walking into a completely unfamiliar locker room. Anaheim's roster features familiarity from his time in New York — players he shared the ice with, road trips, and yes, carpools. Related: Rangers rumors: Mika Zibanejad trade speculation picks up after Chris Kreider deal Chris Kreider joins former Rangers teammates in Anaheim Jacob Trouba Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Danny Wild-Imagn Images Among the familiar faces Kreider will see in Anaheim is Jacob Trouba, his longtime teammate and former Rangers captain. The two shared six seasons together with the Rangers — Kreider as an alternate and Trouba wearing the 'C' — before the latter was traded to the Ducks in December for defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a fourth-round draft pick. Advertisement 'Jacob's [got to be] one of the best teammates I've ever played with,' Kreider said. 'Everything that he brings, you know, as a player and as a leader … that's a guy that you want on your team, that's a guy that you want to play with.' And there's more to their relationship than hockey. 'He's a terrific friend, too. Super easy guy to talk to,' Kreider added. 'He's been such a good friend, such a good teammate to me for such a long time. So being able to play with him again — it's amazing.' Both Kreider and Trouba bring years of experience and veteran leadership to a young Ducks roster still in the midst of a rebuild. Their long-standing chemistry could help stabilize a young core while also setting the tone for a more competitive environment in Anaheim. Advertisement 'When I reflect on being a leader, my style would be being genuine,' Kreider said. 'It's more one-on-one … I really like working with people individually, coming at it from a place of humility.' Ryan Strome Ryan Sun-Imagn Images Tom Horak-Imagn Images Kreider's reunion with Strome might be the most personal of all. The duo didn't just share shifts — they shared playlists, routines, and a passenger seat. Their bond took shape over four seasons with the Rangers from 2018-22, when Strome and Kreider were two of their top producers offensively. But it was the drives to and from Madison Square Garden that helped deepen their connection. 'Stromer was terrific,' Kreider said. 'We had some really good times, driving in and out to practice, talking hockey, talking about life, talking music … giving Fil Chytil a hard time. Those are great memories. And hopefully, maybe we can revisit that and keep it going.' Advertisement With Strome and Trouba waiting to welcome him to a new city, new life and new team, Kreider's in good hands with people he trusts. Related: Top 10 players chosen 12th overall this century ahead of Rangers pick in 2025 NHL Draft Frank Vatrano Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Danny Wild-Imagn Images Although Kreider didn't mention him directly on the podcast, Frank Vatrano is another former teammate in the Ducks locker room. They spent the back half of the 2021-22 season together with the Rangers, when Vatrano made an immediate impact after the forward was acquired ahead the trade deadline. The line of Mika Zibanejad, Kreider, and Vatrano helped lead the Rangers to the Eastern Conference Final that spring, with Vatrano notching 13 points in 20 playoff games. Though their time as teammates was brief, the connection was clearly there — and with Vatrano one of Anaheim's best offensive weapons, it wouldn't be surprising to see the two reconnect on a line once again. Don't forget Trevor Zegras Zegras shared via Instagram @trevorzegras While Kreider's most well-known connections in Anaheim are with former Rangers teammates, his bond with Trevor Zegras is something a little different. Advertisement The two have spent recent offseasons training at Prentiss Hockey Performance in Stamford, Connecticut, a well-known gym that brings in NHL players from across the League. It was there, just hours after the trade, that Kreider got an early welcome from Zegras. 'I walked in this morning and there was a quack, quack, quack up on my jersey, courtesy of Trevor Zegras,' Kreider shared. 'I think he was keenly aware that there was interest — that it was a possibility I would come to the Ducks — and I just kind of confirmed it for him this morning. He was pretty excited for me. It was really cool. He's such an energetic, happy, friendly kid … it was a great little welcome to the organization.' The two haven't played together at the NHL level, but were teammates on Team USA at the 2022 IIHF Men's World Championship. While the tournament was short-lived in itself, it gave them their first taste of sharing a bench. Now they'll have the opportunity to build that chemistry over the offseason and into next season. Zegras is known for his elite puck skills, creativity on the ice, and outgoing personality. The 24-year-old has also dealt with several injuries, sharp criticism and consistent trade rumors. Advertisement Kreider comes with more than a decade of experience playing in one of hockey's toughest market, and is a respected leader. His mentorship of Zegras could be as valuable as anything Kreider brings to the Ducks on the ice, and if their chemistry carries over on to the ice, that's a real win-win for the Ducks. Related Headlines
