Chris Kreider’s 13-year run in New York is reportedly on the cusp of ending.
According to several reports, including NHL insider Frank Seravalli, the Rangers and Ducks are finishing up the details of a trade that will send the two-time All-Star to Anaheim as the Blueshirts continue their makeover after a disastrous season.
Per Vince Mercogliano of USA Today, the deal will bring a prospect and a pick back to New York, while the Ducks will take on Kreider’s full salary of $6.5 million.
Kreider has been a key cog with the Rangers since their run to a Stanley Cup appearance in 2014, when he finished 10th in the Calder Trophy voting for the league’s top rookie. He has never played in another uniform, and is third all time in franchise history in goals, and ranks first all time in playoff goals.
The 34-year-old was drafted 19th overall by New York back in 2009, and has since become the longest-tenured Ranger who blossomed into a 50-goal scorer at 30 years old. But last season saw a major step back, as he finished with 22 goals and just eight assists in 68 games, finishing as a -5.
The Rangers will have a new head coach in Mike Sullivan and are now shaking up their core with this reported move, as they are on the heels of becoming just the fourth team in league history to miss the playoffs one year after winning the Presidents Trophy.