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Chris Kreider choosing the Ducks indicates a changing narrative: ‘That's a great sign'
Long before they traded for him on Thursday, the Anaheim Ducks had their eye on Chris Kreider, and even though he was across the continent, Kreider watched the Ducks fairly closely while playing for the New York Rangers.
'Having played with some of those (Ducks) guys and having close relationships with them, that familiarity, it's a team that I've followed probably closer than other teams out west,' Kreider said. 'They've got some fantastic vets with great track records of winning. Some in the prime of their careers, and they've got a wealth of young talent, of speed, of size and skill.'
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After 13 memorable, if not unforgettable, seasons with the Rangers, his only NHL team, the 34-year-old Kreider quickly endeared himself to his new club, particularly since he agreed to come to the Ducks even though they had been on his 15-team no-trade list.
Kreider joins the faction of ex-Rangers in Anaheim: Jacob Trouba, Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano. Kreider, the big, fast left wing, trains with Trevor Zegras during the summers in New York and they sometimes partner in charitable endeavors. He knows Alex Killorn well through their battles when Killorn was with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He's followed the progress of Cutter Gauthier, a fellow Boston College product. And he raved on Thursday about the Ducks' defense and goaltending.
The compliments weren't one-sided. The Ducks, who are poised to make a bunch of noise this offseason, believe that, in Kreider, they're getting someone who excels in elements they need after this year's 21-point improvement in the standings, as they attempt to take the next step and end a seven-year playoff drought.
'There's a whole host of things that attracted Chris Kreider for our organization,' Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said. 'We can start with his skating ability. We'd start with his size. We can start with the strength that he has; he's 230 pounds. He's a force in front of the net. His goal scoring — even though he had a tough season last year, I fully believe that he's going to bounce back and have a great season for us. I think that he's going to be an unreal example to all our young guys (about) how to score goals in tough situations in the playoffs, scoring in tight to the net, deflections, rebound goals. I just think that he's going to be a shining example for all our young guys in that area.
'There's also the power play. Our power play needed a boost, and I believe he's going to be able to add that. Difficult person to defend in front of the net. Seems to have a really good ability to be able to get a loose stick, get his body in the right position to score (on) rebounds. He's also a very good penalty killer. That's another area that I wanted to improve upon for our group, and I think that he's going to be a threat to score short-handed.'
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It remains to be seen whether Kreider can get close to the form that saw him score 52 goals in 2021-22, and 127 goals over a three-year spike, rather than a duplication of this season's fall to 22 goals (and only eight assists). Kreider dealt with back issues, a hand fracture he played through and a miserable final few months with the underachieving Rangers after he learned, through a leaked memo, that he was actively being shopped.
But there is one development that could have lasting ramifications. Kreider wanted to come to Anaheim, just as Jacob Trouba did when the Ducks came calling last December after the Rangers no longer wanted his services. In recent years, the Ducks have been on players' no-trade lists when they are annually submitted.
That may be changing thanks to Trouba and Kreider, two players with a combined 1,700 regular-season games and 196 playoff games. Verbeek said it 'no doubt helps' when veterans show enthusiasm about coming to Anaheim. Having a team seemingly on the rise and a commitment to pushing for the playoffs can also change players' views.
'In my era, players didn't talk,' Verbeek said. 'But players talk a lot more amongst each other, more than ever. There's a lot of communication amongst players. Within our group, I think that certainly helps sway Chris Kreider as well. And I think the other exciting thing is, we're a team that's got a chance to keep pushing forward to win. And, so, that's exciting and I think other players see that.
'Everything in this league is about winning, and so that excites players.'
That's how Strome sees it. He and Kreider kept in contact, even after Strome signed with Anaheim as a free agent in 2022. After the Rangers told Kreider in April about their intention to trade him, Kreider reached out to Strome to get a feel for living in the Anaheim area. Strome was straight with him about the state of the club and how its hiring of Joel Quenneville as coach has energized the franchise. 'I think players around the league took some notice and went, 'This team isn't rolling over anymore. There's light at the end of the tunnel and they're trying to make that turn,'' Strome said.
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'They're not manufactured thoughts or ideas or a manufactured narrative,' Strome told The Athletic on Thursday. 'They're the truth. You get to live in Southern California, raise a family and you get to play for one of the best coaches of all time. You have a team on the upswing. I think it's very, very enticing for a lot of players. As a friend and a proud Duck, I think I'm happy to share that information with anyone that asks. Chris asked and here we are.'
After the Ducks and Rangers agreed to the framework of the trade this week, Kreider took his time to make sure Southern California was the correct fit for him and his family. There was never any danger in the deal going sideways, but Kreider wasn't going to rush when it came to waiving his 15-team no-trade clause, which was important to him when he re-signed with the Rangers for seven years in 2020.
'I think a lot of it is just having conversations with your family,' Kreider said. 'Just making sure everyone's on the same page. Making sure it's something that you want. You negotiate those for a reason. It's not something that you take lightly and it's not a decision that you make kind of off the cuff.
'Just wanted to, I guess, do my due diligence, have those necessary conversations with my family, with my agent (Matt Keator), with the staff with the Ducks and obviously some of the Ducks players.'
Strome was eager to serve as a sounding board — and to sell players on Anaheim, if the situation calls for it.
'I've got some interesting experience in the sense that I've been in a Canadian city, I've been in a few American cities, I've been in the middle of New York City,' Strome said. 'Big markets. Small markets. I'm just honest. I think that some of those things are very appealing to a guy. Especially guys with families, guys that are at different spots in their careers. It's just me saying my opinion. Maybe I have a reputation where guys maybe trust my opinion.'
Those no-trade clauses or lists are important to the players who successfully get them in their contracts. Change isn't solely about going from Team A to Team B. Livelihoods are impacted.
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'I think it differs based on the player and (his) priorities, right?' Kreider said. 'I think that there's a lot of thought that goes into the living situation. Some guys prefer X, some guys prefer Y. Some guys prefer Z, whatever. I think there's some thought that goes into that. Maybe some guys don't necessarily like a big city or big market. There's a lot that goes into it.
'Speaking of my own experience, I think when you compile the list, and you send it in on July 1st — or it's received leading up to before July 1st — I think a lot can change over the next calendar year. I do think it's an important thing for players to negotiate and have some semblance of control. But at the same time, I think when the opportunity presents itself, when you're going to be traded, you want to go to a team that you're excited about and think (is) a good fit. It's important to have that flexibility (and) ability to waive like I did.'
The Ducks believe they're changing perception one player at a time, that they're a place to consider and not avoid, that playing hockey in California is desirable. Winning is the bottom line, and it's been years since the Ducks have done it consistently. But it's decisions like the one made by Kreider that make them feel that something different is happening.
'That's the reality in a rebuild sometimes,' Strome said. 'You go through the dog days, and you go through some tough times. When you put all the pieces together though, I think it's a very interesting place for a lot of people. And why wouldn't you want to live in the best climate in the world, have a great life, play for a team that's on the up and up and have one of the best coaches of all time coaching?
'There's just so many great things about Anaheim right now, and I think that seeing players waiving their no-move clause to do that and having interest from players like that, I think (it) says a lot. Actions speak louder than words and, in the last two years, there's been two highly prominent players that have chosen us. I think that's a great sign.'
