Kreider makes the Ducks a better team and, if his health issues are behind him, he should be able to provide value at or close to his $6.5 million cap hit through 2027. For the cost of a depth prospect and a pick swap, it's a sensible gamble.

The Ducks need a healthier, rejuvenated version of Kreider to make this trade worth it. The biggest area where Kreider could help the Ducks is on the power play. Kreider has long been an elite net-front power-play scorer, and the Ducks’ man advantage could certainly use a boost after ranking 32nd in the NHL this season.

New York Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad shared a heartfelt goodbye to his longtime teammate, Chris Kreider, on social media Friday. Kreider was traded to the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday for forward prospect Carey Terrance and a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.