Kreider Approved for Trade: Exciting Move to the Ducks!

Chris Kreider is on the move. The winger has waived his no-trade clause, allowing the New York Rangers to trade him to the Anaheim Ducks. This news was confirmed by sources to ESPN on Thursday.

In the deal, the Rangers will receive prospect Carey Terrance and swap draft picks with the Ducks. This move is pending a trade call.

Kreider’s decision to waive his 15-team no-trade list included the Ducks. This was first reported by the New York Post. The Ducks will take on the final two years of Kreider’s contract, which is worth $6.5 million a year. This frees up salary cap space for the Rangers as they prepare for free agency on July 1.

Rangers’ general manager Chris Drury has been looking to shake up the team’s roster after missing the playoffs. This is part of a broader strategy that started when he traded captain Jacob Trouba to the Ducks earlier this season. Meanwhile, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek is trying to revamp his team to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

Recently, Anaheim hired Joel Quenneville as head coach. Quenneville is a three-time Stanley Cup champion and the second-winningest coach in NHL history, bringing a wealth of experience to the Ducks.

Kreider, 34, has spent his entire 13-year career with the Rangers after being drafted in the first round in 2009. He’s a notable player in the Rangers’ history, holding records for most playoff goals, power-play goals, and game-winners. Over his career, Kreider has tallied 326 goals and 582 points in 883 regular-season games.

However, his performance has dipped this season, where he scored 22 goals and eight assists in 68 games. Kreider faced several health challenges, including back issues and an illness that caused vertigo. Additionally, he sustained a hand injury after an international competition that may require offseason surgery.

On the other side, Terrance, 20, was picked in the second round by the Ducks in 2023. He had a successful season with the Erie Otters in the OHL, recording 20 goals and 19 assists.

This trade marks a significant shift for both teams. As the Ducks aim for a playoff resurgence, the Rangers are strategically reshaping their roster for future success.

For further insights into team dynamics and player movements in the NHL, you can check out reports from trusted sources like NHL.com.

Source link