After years of speculation, it appears the day that the New York Rangers trade away long-time forward Chris Kreider is fast approaching.
NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported that the Blueshirts are in “advanced talks” with the Anaheim Ducks for a deal involving the 34-year-old, who has spent each of his 13 pro seasons in New York.
While there is no deal yet, a “framework” is in place.
Kreider’s name has often popped up in trade talks over the last two seasons, but the intensity of those rumors had never grown louder than this year, when general manager Chris Drury mentioned him in a league-wide memo about his team being open for business. Amongst notable deals Drury did pull off, former Captain Jacob Trouba was jettisoned out to Anaheim.
Kreider has a 15-team no-trade list and two years left on his current contract, which carries an AAV of $6.5 million — a sizable number to move, but one the small-spending Ducks could fit in their books.
He had his worst season since the COVID-shortened 2020-21 campaign. Plagued by back injuries and an illness that caused vertigo-like symptoms, he scored just 22 goals with eight assists in 68 games. It was a significant dip in his production after scoring 52, 36, and 39 goals in each of the previous three seasons.
The Rangers missed the playoffs, resulting in the firing of head coach Peter Laviolette. He was replaced by long-time Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan.
Despite the drama, Kreider has maintained his desire to stick with the Blueshirts.
“This is home for me,” Kreider said during his end-of-season availability. “This is the organization that gave me an opportunity to live out my dream. I’ve developed so many incredible relationships and grown up and spent so much time in this area. This is where I want to be, and this is the group I want to help in whatever fashion.”
