It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re in the middle of the Stanley Cup Final, but there’s plenty to discuss with teams not playing in the final. The other 30 teams aren’t sitting idly by while the last series is unfolding. We’ve already seen some moves, but more could be coming as the NHL Draft and free agency starts soon.
We could be seeing a deal between the New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks at any moment. This edition of NHL rumours deals with the possible ins-and-outs of a deal.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks Moving Towards Deal
Rumour: Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff said that the Rangers and the Ducks could be making another trade. Seravalli reports that the Rangers might be shipping Chris Kreider to the West Coast. Vince Z. Mercogliano of LoHud.com reports that prospect Carey Terrance and a pick could be heading to Broadway.
Analysis: Kreider has been the subject of trade rumours ever since the infamous group chat from Rangers General Manager Chris Drury late last year. One Blueshirts stalwart in Jacob Trouba was already sent to Orange County, but it seems that Kreider could be joining him. Kreider would be joining a number of former Rangers out west including Frank Vatrano, Ryan Strome and Trouba.
The Rangers are trying to shed salary in order to be more flexible in free agency. Kreider carries a $6.5 million cap hit and getting that off the books would give the team some breathing room. There are a number of key restricted free agents like K’Andre Miller, William Cuylle and others that Drury needs to make a decision on. Getting that cap hit off the books would allow Drury to make some signings.
The team did bring back J.T. Miller from the Vancouver Canucks. However, more needs to be done in order to get the Rangers back among the Eastern Conference contenders. This trade could help both parties as Anaheim is trying to bring in some established players.
What It Means
Anaheim has been scuffling along, but they brought in Joel Quenneville as the team’s head coach. This seems to be a clear signal that the Ducks want to accelerate their contention timelines. The Ducks have been rumoured to make a massive offer for Mitch Marner in the off-season.
Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek has nearly $38.7 million in cap space heading into the off-season. Adding Kreider would bite into that, but there could still be some room to add Marner in the off-season. Anaheim does need to figure out extensions for Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier after this season. There are also needs to be decisions regarding Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish.
Both the Rangers and Ducks are trying to get back into the post-season mix. Anaheim and New York may be only getting started when it comes to changing their respective rosters. The off-season could see some big changes and this trade may only just be the start of things for Drury and Verbeek.
Main photo by: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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