The Anaheim Ducks are reportedly engaged in advanced discussions to acquire veteran forward Chris Kreider from the New York Rangers. Sources indicate the talks are progressing towards a potential deal.
As of Tuesday night, a final agreement had not been reached, but a framework for the proposed trade has been discussed. This framework is said to potentially involve Ducks forward prospect Carey Terrance.
Terrance, a second-round selection by Anaheim in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, played for the OHL`s Erie Otters last season, where he registered 20 goals and 39 points in 45 games.
Chris Kreider has established himself as one of the NHL`s most reliable goal scorers over his 13-year career with the Rangers. He has hit the 20-goal plateau in seven consecutive seasons and in 10 out of the last 11.
In the 2024-25 season, the 34-year-old recorded 22 goals and eight assists in 68 appearances for New York, a season in which the team missed the playoffs. Kreider also missed some time during the regular season due to an upper-body injury.
Kreider`s current contract, a seven-year, $45.5 million deal signed in 2020, carries an annual average value of $6.5 million. He is entering the sixth year of this agreement. Reports suggest the Ducks are expected to take on the full remaining salary of the contract.
His most prolific season came in 2021-22, when the left-shot winger scored an impressive 52 goals in 81 games.
Originally drafted 19th overall by the Rangers in 2009 out of Boston College, Kreider made his NHL debut during the 2012-13 campaign. He would bring significant playoff experience to a youthful Ducks roster, having appeared in 123 post-season games with New York, accumulating 48 goals and 76 points. He was a key part of the Rangers team that reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2013-14.
Anaheim is coming off a 2024-25 season where they finished with 80 points and missed the post-season. Earlier in May, the franchise hired Joel Quenneville as their 12th head coach in team history.
The Ducks currently feature a promising group of young forwards, including Mason McTavish, Leo Carlsson, and Cutter Gauthier, all of whom reached the 20-goal milestone last season.
