It looks like change is on the horizon for the New York Rangers, with Chris Kreider potentially eyeing a move to the Anaheim Ducks. In a preliminary move that could see Kreider heading west, the Rangers seem to be undergoing a bit of a reshuffle, with Mika Zibanejad possibly set to follow suit by waiving his no-move clause.
Zibanejad is locked into a hefty eight-year, $68 million contract that runs through the 2029-30 season. While trade rumors swirled around him near the deadline, he stayed put. However, the possibility of Kreider leaving could change the dynamics for Zibanejad, given their longstanding camaraderie that dates back to the 2016-17 season.
Rumors began circulating back in May when a leaked memo from Rangers GM Chris Drury suggested that Kreider and Jacob Trouba were potential trade subjects. The speculation gathered momentum when Kreider found himself a healthy scratch in late December. Despite Anaheim being on Kreider’s partial no-move list, he gave Drury the go-ahead to chat with the Ducks.
The unexpected twist? Larry Brooks from the New York Post hinted that Zibanejad might just agree to waive his full no-move clause if Kreider decides to make the Anaheim move, given their close friendship.
It’s been a challenging season for Kreider, whose production dropped from 75 points to just 30. This performance decline saw him slide from the top line, creating a rare opportunity to share the ice with Zibanejad during the season’s last game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Zibanejad, after the game, shed some light on their uncertain futures in New York, expressing his desire to enjoy their time on the ice together, no matter how limited.
Both Kreider and Zibanejad have been pivotal to the Rangers since the 2019-20 season, firmly embedded in the team’s core. With other key players like Filip Chytil, Ryan Lindgren, and Kaapo Kakko already moving on, along with Trouba finding a new home with the Ducks, the question remains: will Kreider and Zibanejad join them on the departure list? The offseason could provide all the answers.
