New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider
(Photo by Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Chris Kreider traded to Anaheim Ducks for prospect Carey Terrance and picks
  • The 34-year-old waived his no-trade clause to facilitate the deal
  • Read below for full trade details and what this means for both teams

The New York Rangers pulled the trigger on a Chris Kreider trade Thursday, sending the longtime forward to the Anaheim Ducks.

Kreider joins former Rangers captain Jacob Trouba out west. The Ducks sent back forward prospect Carey Terrance and swapped mid-round picks with New York.

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun first reported the full details:

Anaheim takes on all of Kreider’s $6.5 million cap hit for the next two seasons. The New York Post’s Larry Brooks confirmed Kreider waived his 15-team no-trade list to make it happen.

It’s the end of an era at Madison Square Garden.

Kreider spent his entire 13-year career with the Rangers after they drafted him 19th overall in 2009. He ranks third all-time in franchise goals with 326 and holds the team record for playoff goals with 48.

But Father Time caught up with him this season. The 34-year-old managed just 30 points (22 goals, 8 assists) in 68 games — his worst full season in the NHL.

(Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire)

The Rangers needed to shake things up after missing the playoffs. They fired Peter Laviolette and brought in Mike Sullivan as head coach. Now GM Chris Drury’s clearing cap space for Sullivan’s vision.

“Chris Kreider is the type of player we were looking to add this offseason,” Ducks GM Pat Verbeek said. “He has size (6-foot-3, 230 pounds), speed, and is a clutch performer that elevates his game in big moments.”

Terrance brings some promise to New York. The 20-year-old Akwesasne native scored 39 points (20 goals, 19 assists) in 45 OHL games last season. He also helped Team USA win gold at the World Juniors with two goals in seven games.

The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler ranked Terrance as Anaheim’s eighth-best prospect last summer.

For the Ducks, it’s a puzzling move. They haven’t made the playoffs in seven years. Adding an aging Kreider doesn’t exactly scream “rebuild.”

But Verbeek clearly wants veteran presence around his young core. Kreider’s power-play expertise could help Leo Carlsson and Mason McTavish develop.

Rangers fans will remember Kreider’s net-front dominance and playoff heroics. His No. 20 could eventually hang in the rafters. Just not while he’s wearing Duck orange.

The trade gives New York flexibility with over $32 million in cap space heading into free agency. Drury can now target younger players who fit Sullivan’s system.

One chapter closes. Another begins.

For both franchises.