Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Mika Zibanejad's Wife Sends a Heart-Wrenching Goodbye to Chris Kreider After His Trade to Anaheim

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Tom Banks | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 7:42 PM ET

On Thursday, long-time Ranger Chris Kreider was traded to the Ducks, and now, wife of former teammate Mika Zibanejad has paid beautiful tribute to the veteran.

After months of speculation, the New York Rangers finally pulled the trigger on a trade that sees the longest tenured player with the organization sent to the Western Conference to join the Anaheim Ducks.

That ends a very successful tenure in the Big Apple for Kreider, as he leaves ranked top-10 in Rangers history in many categories, and while the deal was perhaps a long time coming, that didn't mean it doesn't hurt the players around him.

One player that will be clearly effected is long-time teammate Mika Zibanejad, and after the deal, Zibanejad's wife posted a heart-wrenching tribute to Kreider on social media, bidding farewell to someone that has seemingly become like family.

In the future, I will show Ella highlights of Uncle Chris and daddy to teach her about chemistry and true feelings, and to never settle for less.
The Kreiders... You are home forever. Friends for life. Family for a lifetime.

While hockey, like all professional sports remains a business, it can never be understated just how much things like this can effect players and their families, as Mika's partner made it clear that Kreider and his family are their family forever.

On the ice though, something had to change for New York, and while trading him may have been the move they needed to make, it's tough to see just how this effects people in New York.

Ultimately though, things will move on for the Rangers as Kreider now has a fresh start with a young, exciting Ducks team, and for Zibanejad, he may be the next person that the Rangers try to move, although he appears adamant that he won't be leaving New York anytime soon.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: