NHL Trade Grades: Analyzing the Kreider Deal Between Rangers and Ducks

Could this trade signal a new direction for the Anaheim Ducks and the New York Rangers? This question arises following the first significant transaction of the offseason. On Thursday, the Rangers traded forward Chris Kreider and a 2025 fourth-round draft pick (originally Anaheim`s, acquired in a December 2024 trade for Jacob Trouba) to the Ducks. In return, New York received center prospect Carey Terrance and a 2025 third-round pick (originally Toronto`s, acquired in a February 2024 trade for Ilya Lyubushkin).

Here is an overview of what this trade signifies for both organizations and a performance assessment for each.

New York Rangers: Grade B+

Several factors contributed to the Rangers` decision to part ways with Chris Kreider. There was a clear need to free up salary cap space, questions lingered about his recent offensive output, and the team likely felt confident they could find a suitable replacement elsewhere.

Kreider maintained impressive consistency throughout his tenure with the Rangers, scoring 20 or more goals in seven consecutive seasons and ten times overall. However, at 34 years old, his production saw a dip this past season, finishing with 22 goals and 30 points in 68 games (0.44 points per game) after averaging 36+ goals and 69 points over the prior three seasons.

With two years remaining on a contract carrying a $6.5 million annual cap hit, managing the salary cap became paramount for New York.

Future financial commitments include a significant raise for star goaltender Igor Shesterkin, whose salary jumps from $5.67 million to $11.50 million annually starting in the 2025-26 season. Additionally, in-season acquisitions like Will Borgen and J.T. Miller added $12.1 million per year to the cap; Borgen recently signed a five-year extension worth $4.1 million annually, while Miller is entering the second year of a seven-year deal at $8 million per year.

These financial pressures necessitated finding room to address a large restricted free agent class of seven players, notably K`Andre Miller, Zac Jones, Matthew Robertson, and Will Cuylle.

While questions remain about replacing Kreider`s scoring, the signing of Boston College winger Gabe Perreault provides a potential top-six forward option on a cost-effective entry-level contract. This move, combined with trading Kreider, gives the Rangers significantly more financial flexibility to sign their RFAs and potentially make further moves this offseason. According to PuckPedia, the Rangers now possess $14.922 million in cap space after shedding Kreider`s salary.

Acquiring Carey Terrance, a center prospect who signed with the Ducks in April, addresses a potential need in the Rangers` system. Their top center prospects include Noah Laba, who joined the club after three college seasons, and Dylan Roobroeck, who scored 20 goals in the AHL during his first full professional year.

Terrance, a second-round pick in 2023, had his third consecutive 20-goal season with the OHL`s Erie Otters, finishing with 39 points in 45 games. He also played for Team USA at the IIHF World Junior Championships, recording two goals in seven games before an injury.

Anaheim Ducks: Grade B+

Rebuilding franchises strive to improve, and each takes a unique path to reach contention. The acquisition of Chris Kreider signals the Anaheim Ducks` continued commitment to a strategy that has proven successful so far, with the goal of competing for a playoff spot or at least being in the wild-card picture by the 2025-26 season.

Beyond their strong drafting and development efforts, the Ducks have made a conscious decision to surround their young, homegrown core with respected veteran players. This group now includes Radko Gudas, Alex Killorn, Frank Vatrano, and Kreider`s former Rangers teammate Jacob Trouba, with Kreider adding to that veteran presence.

What does this mean for the Ducks` forward depth, particularly on the wing? Kreider joins a group featuring Sam Colangelo, Cutter Gauthier, Troy Terry, Killorn, and Vatrano. This collection provides the Ducks with multiple goal-scoring threats capable of finding the back of the net in various ways.

The Ducks` financial situation post-trade is particularly intriguing, if not daunting for opponents. General Manager Pat Verbeek took on Kreider`s $6.5 million cap hit, yet PuckPedia projects the team still possesses over $32.188 million in available salary cap space. This significant cap flexibility could make Anaheim a desirable destination for free agents come July 1st.

However, Verbeek must manage this space prudently. Key components of the Ducks` young core, including Lukas Dostal, Drew Helleson, and Mason McTavish, are pending restricted free agents requiring new contracts. Furthermore, the following offseason (2026) presents an even larger challenge, with Leo Carlsson, Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov, Trevor Zegras, Olen Zellweger, and Cutter Gauthier all needing new deals simultaneously.

Having so much young talent still on entry-level or cost-controlled contracts provides the financial breathing room the Ducks currently enjoy. This flexibility allowed them to acquire a player like Kreider for the cost of a draft pick and a prospect like Terrance, who was somewhat expendable given the team`s center depth in the NHL and the drafting of Lucas Pettersson in the second round of the 2024 draft.

Since initiating their rebuild, the Ducks organization has been focused on making tangible progress through any means necessary. They have successfully built one of the NHL`s most promising prospect pools and fostered high expectations for these young players. Crucially, they have also demonstrated a willingness to make calculated moves, such as the trade for Kreider, when the timing is right.

So, what comes next?

Finishing with 80 points, their highest total since the 2018-19 season, marks a critical juncture for the team. This progress likely contributed to the decision to part ways with head coach Greg Cronin after two seasons and hire Joel Quenneville, signaling the organization`s belief that they are ready to take the next step.

Competing in the challenging Western Conference gauntlet is no easy feat. While established powerhouses like the Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights, and Colorado Avalanche remain contenders, other teams have shown they can climb the standings.

The Seattle Kraken made a significant leap in their second season (2022-23). A year later, the Vancouver Canucks saw substantial improvement in Rick Tocchet`s first full season (2023-24). This past season, the St. Louis Blues returned to the playoffs, and teams like the Calgary Flames and the new Utah Hockey Club competed late into the regular season.

Anaheim finished 16 points shy of the final Western Conference wild-card spot this year. However, the consistent, gradual improvement they have displayed, coupled with making two significant moves this offseason (including the Kreider trade) and hinting at more, suggests they are poised to seriously challenge for a playoff berth, potentially kicking the door down rather than just knocking on it.