Could this transaction signal a significant shift for either team?
This question is pertinent for both the Anaheim Ducks and the New York Rangers following the initial major trade of the offseason. On Thursday, the Rangers completed a deal sending veteran forward Chris Kreider along with a 2025 fourth-round draft pick (originally Anaheim`s, previously acquired in the December 2024 Jacob Trouba trade) to the Ducks. In return, New York acquired promising center prospect Carey Terrance and a 2025 third-round selection (originally Toronto`s, obtained in the February 2024 Ilya Lyubushkin trade).
Here`s an assessment of the implications for each organization and a performance evaluation for both sides.
New York Rangers
Grade: B+
Several factors necessitated this move for the Rangers. The need to free up salary cap space, questions surrounding Kreider`s recent offensive output, and the potential to find a replacement externally all played a role in New York`s decision to part ways with the forward.
Kreider consistently reached the 20-goal mark for his seventh consecutive season and the tenth time in his career. While this reliability defined his tenure, it also contributed to the likelihood of a departure from New York.
Turning 34 in late April, Kreider concluded the past season with 22 goals, a decrease from his production over the preceding three years. In those three seasons, he averaged 36 or more goals and 69 points per campaign. This season, he recorded 30 points in 68 games, averaging 0.44 points per contest.
With two years remaining on his contract at an annual value of $6.5 million, managing the salary cap became a crucial consideration for the Rangers.
Star goaltender Igor Shesterkin`s new contract, beginning in 2025-26, significantly increases his salary from $5.67 million to $11.50 million annually. Additionally, in-season trades orchestrated by Rangers GM Chris Drury to acquire Will Borgen and J.T. Miller added an extra $12.1 million annually to their commitments; Borgen signed a five-year extension worth $4.1 million per year, and Miller is entering the second year of a seven-year deal earning $8 million annually.
Consequently, the Rangers face the challenge of addressing a seven-player restricted free agent class that includes key players like K`Andre Miller, Zac Jones, Matthew Robertson, and Will Cuylle.
Replacing Kreider`s scoring production remains a significant question mark.
The spring signing of Boston College standout winger Gabe Perreault was therefore crucial. He offers the Rangers a potential top-six forward option on an affordable contract, helping to create the necessary cap flexibility to handle the RFA class and pursue other offseason objectives.
According to PuckPedia, the Rangers now have $14.922 million in cap space after shedding Kreider`s contract, granting the front office considerably more financial flexibility than before, with further moves potentially on the horizon.
Acquiring Terrance, who signed with the Ducks in April, introduces a center prospect into a system that appeared to have a need down the middle. Their most promising center prospect, Noah Laba, joined the club after three seasons at Colorado College, while Dylan Roobroeck recorded 20 goals in the AHL during his first full professional season.
Terrance, a 2023 second-round pick, achieved his third consecutive 20-goal season with the OHL`s Erie Otters, finishing with 39 points in 45 games overall. He also played for Team USA at the IIHF World Junior Championships, scoring two goals in seven games before sustaining an injury.
Anaheim Ducks
Grade: B+
Rebuilding efforts aim to move a franchise towards a more competitive state, recognizing that each team`s journey is unique. The Kreider trade indicates that the Ducks are adhering to an approach that has proven beneficial, fostering confidence that it could position them for either playoff contention or at least the wild-card discussion in the 2025-26 season.
Beyond their success in drafting and development, the Ducks have also made a deliberate effort to surround their promising young core with respected veteran players. This group currently includes Radko Gudas, Alex Killorn, Frank Vatrano, and Kreider`s former Rangers teammate, Jacob Trouba.
How does this impact the Ducks` top-nine winger configuration? Kreider joins a forward group featuring players like Sam Colangelo, Cutter Gauthier, Troy Terry, Killorn, and Vatrano. This provides the Ducks with not only multiple scoring threats but also players capable of scoring in diverse ways.
This scenario makes the Ducks either fascinating or potentially concerning, depending on one`s viewpoint. Ducks GM Pat Verbeek took on a forward with a $6.5 million cap hit, yet PuckPedia estimates the team still possesses over $32.188 million in available cap space.
This substantial cap space could make Anaheim a desirable destination for free agents when the market opens on July 1.
Naturally, Verbeek must manage this responsibly. Key members of the Ducks` young core, including Lukas Dostal, Drew Helleson, and Mason McTavish, are pending restricted free agents who will require new contracts. Looking ahead to the following offseason, Leo Carlsson, Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov, Trevor Zegras, Olen Zellweger, and Gauthier will all be due for new deals simultaneously.
Having a wealth of young talent on cost-effective entry-level contracts provides significant financial flexibility. This is precisely why the Ducks were able to acquire Kreider for the price of a draft pick and a prospect like Terrance, who was considered expendable given the depth at the center position both at the NHL level and within the prospect pool, notably with Lucas Pettersson, their 2024 second-round pick.
Since commencing their rebuild, the Ducks organization has been dedicated to achieving progress through various means. During this period, they have built one of the NHL`s most promising farm systems and established high expectations for their prospects. Crucially, they have also demonstrated an understanding of when to execute trades, such as the one for Kreider.
So, what comes next?
Finishing with 80 points for the first time since the 2018-19 season places them at a pivotal juncture. This was a factor in their decision to dismiss head coach Greg Cronin after two seasons and hire Joel Quenneville, signaling their belief that the team is ready to advance further.
Competing in the demanding Western Conference requires taking significant steps. While established powerhouses like the Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights, and Colorado Avalanche remain contenders, other teams have proven they can carve out a path to success.
The Seattle Kraken did so in just their second season (2022-23). A year later, the Vancouver Canucks achieved it in Rick Tocchet`s first full season as head coach (2023-24). This past season saw the St. Louis Blues return to the playoffs, while the Calgary Flames and the Utah Hockey Club pushed deep into the regular season.
Anaheim finished 16 points shy of the final Western Conference wild-card position. However, the consistent improvement shown by the Ducks – coupled with making two of the more impactful moves this offseason, suggesting a willingness to do more – could position them to strongly contend for a playoff spot in the near future.
