What does the future hold for Chris Kreider?

After being drafted 19th overall by the Rangers in 2009 and a successful 13-year old stint in New York, Chris Kreider is at last no longer a Ranger.

The veteran winger was traded away to the Anaheim Ducks in return for Carey Terrance, and the Ducks will now assume his 6.5M$ cap hit, as Kreider is entering into his last year of a seven year-long contract, presumably leaving him as a UDFA unless re-signed in 2027.

Over the course of his career, Kreider accumulated 326 goals and 256 assists spanning 883 games. The talented winger was most prominent in the playoffs, having scored 47 goals (most in Rangers history).

The reason for the trade, however, is clear. While the winger has been an incredibly productive player between 2021-2024, amassing a minimum of 35 goals and 20 assists each season with 80 games played, those numbers dipped significantly last season to 68 games played, 22 goals and 8 assists.

Kreider’s legacy in New York should remain secure. Looking past production alone, the winger has been part of the cultural capital that is the New York Rangers and exuded professionalism throughout his tenure, having been made both an alternate captain for several seasons and routinely getting praised by coaches and teammates alike from his leadership.

His peak as a player is not far off either. While the entire span of 2021-2024 was impressive, his peak year in 2021-2022 was a firework display, finishing third in goals scored (52) total and 25 total power-play markers, which is a standing Rangers record to this day.

For Anaheim, the acquisition of Kreider signals that they understand that they may not be getting the player he once was, but a value judgement of veteran leadership and short-term impact over the development of 20-year old Carey Terrance. He should prove a significant asset in particular in elimination games to come, for which he is tied at 16 a piece with Mark Messier for the most in NHL history.

Whether father time is taking its toll or not, is too early to say and the Ducks are clearly buying low on Kneider hoping the latter year is not indicative of a wider trend due to old age, but rather a normal down year in a career. If he bucks the trend, Anaheim has just added a substantial threat to their roster.