Insider Scoop: Unexpected Chris Kreider Shakeup Brewing Between Rangers and Ducks!

It looks like a significant shakeup could be on the horizon for the New York Rangers as intense trade talks with the Anaheim Ducks are heating up, potentially sending longtime stalwart Chris Kreider to the West Coast. Sources close to the matter confirm discussions are far from over, yet a mutual interest and preliminary framework for a deal seem to be in place — a deal that might send young Ducks prospect Carey Terrance, a New York native, heading East in return. Kreider, a legendary figure in Broadway Blue with over 14 seasons under his belt and sitting just shy of an all-time goal-scoring milestone, could be moving on despite recent battles with injuries and team changes. Intriguingly, this potential trade not only impacts roster spotlights but also sheds light on the strategic moves by GM Chris Drury, who is juggling complex contracts to reshape the team’s future. As the puzzle pieces are being shuffled and the final chapters of the Rangers’ season are written, the sports world watches eagerly — could this be the end of an era or the beginning of a new chapter for Kreider and the Rangers alike? LEARN MORE

The New York Rangers are in advanced discussions with the Anaheim Ducks on a trade that would send career-long Blueshirt Chris Kreider to Orange County, multiple sources told Daily Faceoff.

The talks, which sources stressed had not reached the finish line, were slated to continue on Wednesday. But there was mutual interest between the parties and the framework of a deal in place.

The most recent discussions centered on Ducks prospect Carey Terrance, an upstate New York native and 2023 second-round pick, heading to the Rangers in a swap that would see the Ducks take on Kreider’s contract in-full. Kreider, 34, has two years remaining on his contract at $6.5 million per year. He was ranked No. 2 on Daily Faceoff’s most recent Trade Targets board.

Terrance, 20, saw his offensive output slow over the last two seasons in OHL Erie since being drafted at No. 59 overall. The two-way center finished this season with 20 goals and 39 points in 45 games for the Otters, but scored twice in seven games at the World Juniors, where he helped Team USA to a second consecutive gold medal. While the proposed return may not look like much on paper for Ranger fans, Kreider would mark the third difficult contract in a row (joining Jacob Trouba and Barclay Goodrow) that GM Chris Drury would have wiggled out from without having to retain dead space.

Over 14 seasons in the Big Apple, Kreider has proven himself to be an all-time Ranger. He ranks third on the Original Six squad’s all-time goals list with 326, just 10 back of Hockey Hall of Famer Jean Ratelle in a similar number of games in Broadway Blue. A truly gifted goal scorer, Kreider’s production waned this past season, hampered by a bout of vertigo, a mangled hand and a very public attempt by team brass to trade him.

It was not immediately clear on Tuesday whether Anaheim was on Kreider’s 15-team “no-trade” list, but sources believed it would not be a stumbling block either way as Kreider was thought to have interest in playing for new Ducks coach Joel Quenneville, where he’d also be reunited with Ryan Strome and former Rangers captain Jacob Trouba.

Kreider and Trouba were both subjects of a memo that Drury sent league-wide in November soliciting interest in the veterans. Many believed that memo, which was sent when the Rangers had a 12-7-0 record, contributed to a season that went off the rails and saw the defending Presidents’ Trophy winners miss the playoffs. New York went 27-29-7 to close the season. Coach Peter Laviolette was fired after two seasons on Broadway. Trouba was traded to Anaheim in early December, now Kreider may be joining him in short order.