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Rangers' Chris Kreider Trade to Ducks Hinges on Critical Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 12, 2025 6:49 AM ET

The New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks have reached an agreement on a trade that would send veteran winger Chris Kreider to the West Coast.

While both teams have reportedly finalized the deal’s structure, there is one final piece that remains unresolved, and it's entirely in Kreider’s hands.

The hold-up centers around Kreider’s 15-team no-trade clause, which includes Anaheim. That means the 34-year-old forward must waive his clause for the trade to go through.

As of Wednesday, Kreider had not yet done so and kept studying his options.

“The deal is agreed to, but Kreider would need to waive as Anaheim is on his no-trade list,” NHL insider Pierre LeBrun reported over The Athletic. “Kreider was doing his homework on Anaheim on Wednesday and will make a decision.”

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The Ducks have already agreed and are prepared to absorb the final two years and $13 million remaining on Kreider’s contract.

Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff confirmed that both clubs had “positive interactions,” with Anaheim receiving permission from the Rangers to engage directly with Kreider.

“Sounds like there were positive interaction(s) today between #NHLDucks and Chris Kreider, with permission of course from #NYR,” Seravalli wrote on X. “In addition to Terrance, believe there is also a mid-round pick swap involved as part of the proposed deal.”

While no official trade call has been completed with the league office, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Wednesday night that “the deal is not in jeopardy,” even though it won’t be finalized until Kreider makes his decision.

"Not expecting Chris Kreider/Anaheim trade to go through tonight…but told that doesn’t mean deal is in jeopardy," Friedman wrote. "We wait for tomorrow."

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

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