Latest news with #Kreider
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rangers GM addresses flurry of roster changes: ‘big piece of it was salary cap'
One day after Chris Drury made a slew of big-time moves on the first day of NHL free agency, the New York Rangers reclusive general manager met with reporters for a rare Q&A session Wednesday. Drury discussed a variety of topics, including why the Rangers moved on from core players Chris Kreider and K'Andre Miller this offseason. He explained that a roster shakeup was necessary after the Rangers bottomed out and missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season for the first time in four years. Advertisement But there was more to it with Kreider and Miller. 'A big piece of it was salary cap. There's only so much to go around in trying to figure out the pieces that fit under the cap as we tried to rework the roster,' Drury explained. So, the Rangers traded Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks in June for prospect Carey Terrance and a swap of mid-round draft picks. That saved them $6.5 million in cap space each of the next two seasons. Miller was traded Tuesday to the Carolina Hurricanes for defenseman Scott Morrow and two premium picks in the loaded 2026 NHL Draft — a conditional first-rounder and a second-round selection. The Rangers couldn't afford to re-sign the 25-year-old defenseman, who was a restricted free agent looking for a big payday, especially because they had their sites set on the top defenseman available in free agency, Vladislav Gavrikov. When the Rangers landed Gavrikov with a seven-year, $49 million contract Tuesday, Miller was a goner. The Rangers had been shopping Miller for a while and weren't sold on him as a long-term, big-money player in the first place, but the Gavrikov signing sealed his fate. Advertisement There was only so much money to go around, especially because a top priority was to re-sign RFA forward Will Cuylle, after his 20-goal breakout season. They accomplished that Tuesday, as well, agreeing to a two-year, $7.8 million contract that carries a $3.9 million salary cap hit. 'It's certainly been a busy and exciting few weeks for the Rangers organization with lots of moving parts,' Drury said in a true understatement. After all these moves, plus adding depth forwards Taylor Raddysh and Justin Dowling, the Rangers have approximately $778,000 in cap space, with a shadow roster of 23 players. So, yeah, there were plenty of financial considerations for Drury and Co. to navigate as they tried to improve the roster this summer. Advertisement Related: Get to know newest Rangers prospect Scott Morrow after trade with Hurricanes Takeaways from Chris Drury's media session to discuss big Rangers moves Peter Carr/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Let's dive into other key topics from Drury's media session. It wasn't just about money for Rangers Though the salary cap played a major role in how the Rangers conducted their business this offseason, it wasn't just about money for Drury. The Rangers GM has been rebuilding the defense corps since last December, when the first domino fell with the trade of captain Jacob Trouba to the Ducks. Since then, Ryan Lindgren, Victor Mancini, Zac Jones, and now Miller were also jettisoned. Defensemen Will Borgen, Urho Vaakanainen, Calvin de Haan, Carson Soucy, Gavrikov, and Morrow were added to the mix. All but de Haan, an unrestricted free agent, are on the current roster. Advertisement Why all the changes to the defense corps? 'It starts in our D zone. D-zone coverage, defending, certainly defending in the high-danger areas, which we were, simply put, not good at last year,' Drury explained. 'We have to be better in our own zone. We have to be better in front of 'Shesty' and 'Quickie' (goalies Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick).' It was clear to Drury that not only did the Rangers need to shuffle their deck of defensemen, but that signing Gavrikov was they key to their entire offseasson plan. 'The size, the reach, the competitiveness, the way he defends, the way he's able to complement his partner, if that's [Adam] Fox or any other of our right-shot D that we have. That's what excited all of us [about Gavrikov],' he said. Chris Drury bestows high praise on 'Rangers legend' This was the first time Drury spoke with the media since the Kreider trade. It's no secret that Drury had been trying to move the 34-year-old forward since last November, when a trade memo to the other League GMs with Kreider's name on it was leaked publicly. Advertisement That certainly made for an uncomfortable situation, especially when Kreider battled numerous injuries, as well, and dipped to 30 points last season (though he scored 22 goals). Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports But Drury had high praise Wednesday for Kreider, who exited Broadway third all-time in franchise history with 326 goals and tied for first with 116 power-play goals. He called Kreider 'a true Rangers legend,' and praised No. 20 and his agent for their cooperation to get a deal done with the Ducks. Certainly, the Rangers GM handled this delicate situation better than his previous dealing with Kreider last season or the unpleasant drawn-out process with Trouba. Advertisement Have the Rangers started contract extension talks with Artemi Panarin? Drury is well known for playing things close to the vest and not sharing information publicly. Such was the case when asked if the Rangers started contract extension discussions yet with Artemi Panarin. Simply, Drury wouldn't say. Panarin is eligible for an extension, since he's entering the final season of his massive seven-year, $81.5 million contract. He can become an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season when he will be 34 years old. Panarin led the Rangers with 37 goals and 89 points last season. And just two years ago he had 120 points (49 goals, 71 assists), second most in franchise history. In 430 games with the Rangers, Panarin has 186 goals, 364 assists and 55o points. Advertisement Of course, it was revealed late last season that Panarin and the Rangers each paid a sexual assault settlement to a former Rangers employee. Whether that factors into the equation here, well, Drury's clearly not saying. Is Mika Zibanejad a center or wing next season? A really important piece to the Rangers puzzle next season is where Mika Zibanejad fits in the forward group. Is the long-time center going to stay in the middle, possibly leading to Vincent Trocheck or Zibanejad himself as the 3C? Or will the 32-year-old play right wing on a line centered by J.T. Miller, which is where he resuscitated his spiraling 2024-25 season, when he finished with a disappointing 62 points (20 goals, 42 assists)? 'We're in constant communication about a lot of different things within the organization, but I think one of the best parts about the forward group is there's a lot of versatility,' Drury answered without providing a direct answer. 'There's a lot of players that can play center and wing … I'm trying to give [the coaches] as many options as possible.' It should be Mike Sullivan's decision anyway. And it appears that's the case. Get back to usin September for more clarity. Advertisement 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
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rangers trade Chris Kreider to Ducks for prospect Carey Terrance, exchange of draft picks
What's felt inevitable since his name was leaked in a League-wide trade memo seven months ago finally became reality Thursday, when the New York Rangers traded Chris Kreider and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft to the Anaheim Ducks for center prospect Carey Terrance and a 2025 third-rounder. The Rangers are sending Anaheim the fourth-round pick they received as part of the trade that sent defenseman and captain Jacob Trouba to the Ducks in December. They will receive a third-round pick that originally belonged to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The net effect is that the Rangers will move up 15 spots in the draft. Advertisement The key to this trade was that the Rangers did not retain any salary. The Ducks assume all $13 million Kreider is owed for the next two seasons, freeing up a crucial $6.5 million in salary-cap space for the Rangers, who now have roughly $15 million available this offseason but need to sign a handful of restricted free agents, including forward Will Cuylle. Terrance is 20 years old and was Anaheim's second-round pick (No. 59 overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft. The upstate New York native signed his entry-level contract April 9 and will turn pro next season. He's a high-character, two-way center, who was captain for Erie in the OHL this season and is likely suited for a bottom-six role in the NHL. Kreider was the longest-tenured player on the Rangers roster, after making his NHL debut in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Ottawa Senators in 2012, shortly after helping Boston College win the NCAA National Championship. Advertisement The 34-year-old forward played 883 regular-season games over 13 years with the Rangers, seventh most in franchise history. He also appeared in a Rangers-record 123 Stanley Cup Playoff games, and is their all-time leader with 48 postseason goals. The Rangers reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2014 and the Eastern Conference Final five times during Kreider's tenure. Likely his greatest moment wearing the Rangers sweater came in the spring of 2024, when he scored a natural hat trick in the third period to spark a comeback victory and eliminate the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Second Round. When Kreider and the Rangers returned from Raleigh, Kreider's lawn was filled with signs and balloons from fans celebrating his heroics. But that joy didn't continue for Kreider, whose name was included in a November memo Rangers general manager Chris Drury sent to all 31 teams expressing his desire to trade the power forward and Trouba, the team captain. Advertisement Though only Trouba was traded — coincidentally to the Ducks in December — Kreider was stung by the memo. He retreated into himself, dealt with back and hand injuries, and had a major backslide in production, ending up with just 30 points in 68 games. Despite finishing third on the Rangers with 22 goals, Kreider's struggles were a big reason the Blueshirts missed the playoffs for the first time in four years to complete one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history. So, this day seemed inevitable and necessary for both Kreider and the Rangers, albeit still somewhat shocking considering his place in Rangers history. Advertisement Related: Why former Rangers center nearly was traded 2nd time before deadline Chris Kreider goes down as one of greats in Rangers history There's a good chance Kreider's No. 20 will end up in the rafters at Madison Square Garden one day. He's third all-time in Rangers history with 326 goals and tied with Camille Henry for first with 116 power-play goals. His 582 points are 10th in team history. A beast in front of the net who brought blazing speed and brute strength to the Rangers lineup for more than a decade, Kreider scored 52 goals in 2021-22. He's one of only four players in Rangers history to score 50 goals in a season and ended the season two shy of tying Jaromir Jagr's record of 54 set in 2005-06. Kreider won the prestigious Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award in 2021-22, as well as the Rod Gilbert Mr. Rangers Award that same season. He represented the Rangers in the 2020 and 2022 NHL All-Star Games, and the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. Advertisement The respected alternate captain is headed to Orange County, where he's reunited with Trouba, Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano — and is expected to be a leader on a talented, young Ducks team on the upswing. Earlier this offseason, the Ducks hired three-time Stanley Cup winner Joel Quenneville as coach. The Ducks have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs seven consecutive seasons, but improved 21 points (to 80) year-over-year in 2024-25 and appear poised to be in the postseason picture next season. Related Headlines
New York Times
26-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Anaheim Ducks vs San Jose Sharks Box Score - October 01, 2025
Upper body - The Ducks announced on Saturday (Mar. 29) that Johnston isn't expected to play again this season, according to Derek Lee of The Hockey News. Hand - Kreider ended the season dealing with a hand injury that may require offseason surgery, per Peter Baugh of The Athletic. ACL - The Ducks announced on Tuesday (Jan. 21) that McGinn had surgery to reconstruct his ACL and will be sidelined for 7-9 months. Upper Body - The Ducks announced on Saturday (Mar. 29) that Fabbri isn't expected to return before the end of the 2024-25 campaign, as per Derek Lee of The Hockey News. Lower Body - Kostin did not play in Monday's (Apr. 14) game against the Canucks. It is unlikely he will return this season. Upper-body - Mukhamadullin underwent shoulder surgery last week, Max Miller of reports Thursday (Apr. 17). Ankle - The Sharks said on Friday (Apr. 11) that Ferraro's season-ending injury is a broken ankle that won't require surgery, according to Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now. SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, CA
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chris Kreider makes classy exit from Rangers, expresses ‘gratitude for how I was treated'
Beyond being one of the most prolific goal scorers in New York Rangers history, Chris Kreider was always a first-class human being start to finish during his tenure on Broadway. So, the fact that he exited the organization publicly expressing heartfelt appreciation Thursday is not a surprise. Selected by the Rangers with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2009 NHL Draft, Kreider was traded to the Anaheim Ducks for center prospect Carey Terrance and a swap of mid-round picks in this year's draft. Advertisement The departure of the longest tenured current Rangers player was expected for months, after his name was included in general manager Chris Drury's infamous trade memo in November. Though he had some dark moments the past several months, which included several injuries and a severe drop off with on-ice production this past season, Kreider took the high road Thursday. 'I think I've gone through the spectrum: Anger, sadness, grief,' Kreider told reporters. 'Whatever you want to call it. But I keep on arriving at gratitude for how I was treated, the opportunities I was given, for the connection I was able to make, the relationships, the friendships, the experiences I was able to have. 'Playing in front of that fan base, at that arena, playing in some of the games I was able to play in. Stuff that is so memorable and means so much to me and stuff that I'll take with me for the rest of my life.' Kreider also expressed his appreciation that the Rangers — Drury in particular — communicated honestly with him since the season ended about their plans to move him. It's been reported that Drury didn't enter trade discussions with the his Ducks counterpart Pat Verbeek before clearing it with Kreider, since they were on his 15-team no-trade list. Advertisement 'There was a lot of communication from Rangers management and from Chris Drury, in particular, about where they stood and kind of what the next steps in the process were going to look like,' Kreider explained. 'Around the year-end meetings, we had some good conversations and I understood that this was a very real possibility.' Related: Top 10 Chris Kreider moments with Rangers before trade to Ducks Chris Kreider leaves lasting legacy with Rangers James Guillory-Imagn Images The 34-year-old forward expressed regret that he tried to play through a hand injury after the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, reasoning that made him a shell of the impactful player he'd been previously. Advertisement Kreider finished third on the Rangers with 22 goals, but dropped from 75 points to 30 year-over-year from 2023-24. With Drury looking to shake up the roster after the Rangers missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in four years, Kreider was an obvious target to be traded, especially with a $6.5 million salary-cap hit the next two seasons. Anaheim took on the entirety of his contract, giving the Rangers much more financial flexibility this offseason, roughly $15 million. Ironically, the Ducks did the same in December, when they took Jacob Trouba off the Rangers' hands. The former Blueshirts captain is owed $8 million this season. 'Chris Kreider is the type of player we were looking to add this offseason,' Verbeek said in a statement. 'He has size, speed and is a clutch performer that elevates his game in big moments. Chris also upgrades both of our special teams units, something we really needed to address.' Kreider leaves New York as the third-leading goal scorer in Rangers history with 326. He's also 10th all-time in points (582), seventh in games played (883), and tied for first with 116 power-play goals. Advertisement No Rangers player appeared in more postseason games than Kreider (123), and no-one scored more playoff goals (48). The Rangers played in five Eastern Conference Finals during Kreider's tenure and the 2014 Stanley Cup Final, when they lost to the Los Angeles Kings in five games. Related Headlines
