Chris Kreider approved a trade to Anaheim after discussions with his family back in June.
This deal made by New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury ending up sending Kreider and a 2025 fourth-round pick to Anaheim in exchange for center prospect Carey Terrance and a 2025 third-round pick. As a result, Kreider's whopping 13-season run — featuring 582 points — with the Rangers has come to a close. But, Kreider fans should have no fear, because he is eagerly preparing for his next chapter.
According to NHL.com, the 34-year-old forward is both projected and expected for for Anaheim's top line to the left of center Leo Carlsson and right wing Troy Terry and being counted on to help an offense that was 30th last season (2.65 goals per game) and in the bottom three in each of the past three.
Ducks excited to have hard-working Kreider on the roster
As expected when you're gaining one of the more popular league players with over a decade of experience, Anaheim is excited to have Kreider on their roster.
Forward Cutter Gauthier said Kreider will be a big addiction to the Ducks' roster.
"Anytime you get a big player like that, it's obviously going to help your lineup," Gauthier said. "We're fortunate that we were able to get him with how well he's done over these handful of years with New York. [We're] really looking forward to learning from him and playing with him as well."
In preparation of his latest moving and in an attempt to make an immediate impact in Anaheim Kreider has been continuing to train in Stamford, Connecticut, with NHL fitness coach Ben Prentiss. At Prentiss Hockey Performance, he has been working alongside current and former teammates such as Adam Fox, Brett Berard and Matt Rempe.
Additionally, he also skated in the 2025 Shoulder Check Showcase.
Kreider will play for Joel Quenneville, a three-time Stanley Cup winner with the Chicago Blackhawks. Anaheim most recently finished sixth in the Pacific Division (35-37-10) and missed the playoffs for the seventh straight season and fired coach Greg Cronin on April 19 after two seasons.
His training and previous experience is also largely expected to boost a power play that ranked last in the NHL last season (11.8 percent).
"He brings us that element that our team definitely has to have a presence. That presence, an inside presence, and a willingness to get there."Joel Quenneville
Once Kreider gets his skate wet as a Duck and after his offseason training is concluded, he will make his return to Madison Square Garden with the Ducks on Dec. 15.