There’s one thing I failed to mention on the latest RINK RAP podcast when handing out grades for the Chris Kreider trade between the New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks: this deal really can’t be properly assessed until we know what the Blueshirts do with the extra salary-cap space they gained by offloading Kreider’s $6.5 million AAV.
Everything else I discussed on the podcast about the trade still stands and supports a B+ grade for the Rangers. It’s an immediate success because they gained valuable cap room. And for a team looking to change a core that’d grown stale, moving Kreider was imperative, not to mention the path of least resistance considering he didn’t have Mika Zibanejad’s full no-move clause. It also removes a cloud that hung over the Rangers since November, when Kreider’s name leaked from Drury’s infamous trade memo to the 31 other NHL GMs.
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Yes, Kreider very well may score, say, 30 goals this season in Orange County. In fact, I hope that he does. On a personal level, I want to see Kreider crush it with the Ducks, where I do believe he’ll be an excellent fit on a largely-young team seeking to take that next big step as a playoff contender.
As of right now, the Rangers easily surrendered the best player in the deal, considering most experts see Carey Terrance (whom New York received from Anaheim) as a future bottom-six center, at best, in the NHL.
But it’s how the Rangers use that extra cash that’s most important in this trade. In a way, trading Kreider was the easy part of the equation, all emotions aside. What happens next is what’s more difficult. More deals to accrue more salary cap space? Actual hockey trades, not just salary dumps? Maybe take a swing or two in free agency?
Stay tuned.
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And please check out the RINK RAP podcast on YouTube or give it a listen here.
New York Rangers news
Carey Terrance — GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Rangers are “prepared to be aggressive” with more moves this offseason after trading Chris Kreider.
Not surprisingly, the classy Kreider took the high road in his initial public comments after he was traded by the Rangers.
Our Eric Charles has an in-depth breakdown on the newest Rangers prospect, center Carey Terrance.
Here’s a walk down memory lane with a breakdown of Kreider’s top moments with the Rangers.
NHL news and rumors
Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
NHL.com: Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers takes place Saturday night in Edmonton. The best-of-7 series is tied 2-2, and already it’s being called as a “classic.”
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Sportsnet: The Oilers have not named their starting goalie for Game 5, and Mark Spector breaks down why it’s a uniquely difficult decision choosing between Calvin Pickard and Stuart Skinner.
Sportsnaut: The decision to pull Skinner down 3-0 after the first period was among the key takeaways from their thrilling 5-4 overtime win in Game 4.
Sportsnaut: Leon Draisaitl (again) scored the OT winner in Game 4, and headed the list of winners and losers from that epic contest.
NHL.com: Great story here by Dan Rosen, sharing how Jaromir Jagr so profoundly influenced the career of Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov.
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TSN: “Holy Mackinaw!” Legendary Toronto Maple Leafs broadcaster Joe Bowen will retire following the 2025-26 season.
Daily Faceoff: Could the NHL return to Atlanta in the not-so-distant future? Well, that could be more likely now that Forsyth County approved the concept of a $3 billion entertainment complex that would include an NHL arena.
TSN: The Boston Bruins made an under-the-radar trade, acquiring Victor Soderstrom, the Swedish Hockey League’s defenseman of the year, from the Chicago Blackhawks.
Sportsnet: Offer sheets could be in vogue this offseason; Sportsnet breaks down which restricted free agents could be targeted with offer sheets.
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The Athletic ($$): With Brock Nelson signing with the Colorado Avalanche, the Minnesota Wild are likely less likely to trade young center Marco Rossi.
New Jersey Hockey Now: James Nichols does a solid job detailing how the Devils could make a shrewd move by targeting the salary cap challenged Avalanche.
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