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Chris Kreider Breaks Silence After Rangers-Ducks Trade

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 7:06 AM ET

Chris Kreider has officially begun a new chapter with the Anaheim Ducks after being traded by the New York Rangers on Thursday.

Kreider, 34, spent his entire 13-year career with the Rangers, who drafted him with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2009 NHL draft.

The Ducks acquired him along with a 2025 fourth-round pick in exchange for forward prospect Carey Terrance and a 2025 third-round selection. Anaheim also assumed the remaining two years of his $6.5 million contract without salary retention.

The veteran forward, who waived his 15-team no-trade clause to allow the deal, shared his thoughts publicly for the first time since the move.

Ducks forward Chris Kreider: "There was a lot of communication from Rangers' management, Chris Drury in particular, about where they stood."

He said he understood this was a probability at year-end meetings.

"It was done in a really respectful fashion by the New York Rangers." pic.twitter.com/YQcC33bFsq
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) June 12, 2025

“There was a lot of communication from Rangers’ management, Chris Drury in particular, about where they stood,” Kreider said, per The Athletic's Peter Baugh. “It was done in a really respectful fashion by the New York Rangers."

At the end of April, when rumors started to emerge about a potential trade away from New York, Kreider said how much it meant for him to play for the Rangers and his willingness to help the team bounce back next season.

“This is home for me,” Kreider said. “This is the organization that gave me the opportunity to live out my dreams. I’ve developed so many incredible relationships, and grown up, and spent so much time in this area.”

Kreider joins former Rangers teammates Jacob Trouba, Ryan Strome, and Frank Vatrano in Anaheim.

Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek described the acquisition as one to address multiple team needs.

“Chris Kreider is the type of player we were looking to add this offseason,” Verbeek said. “He has size, speed and is a clutch performer that elevates his game in big moments. Chris also upgrades both of our special teams units.”

Kreider scored 22 goals in 68 games last season and has totaled 582 career points.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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