Kreider Focuses on Upcoming Game Against Islanders
Chris Kreider was back on the ice in New York Thursday morning, but he wasn’t in a nostalgic mood.
“It’s just the day of the game against the Islanders,” said Kreider, the veteran forward now with the Ducks, when asked about his return set for Monday at Madison Square Garden.
The matchup against the Rangers isn’t just significant for Kreider; Jacob Trouba, who will face the Blueshirts for the first time since signing midway through last season, will also be marking the occasion.
Trouba, a former captain of the Rangers, wasn’t in the locker room after the optional skate against Anaheim.
Both players were part of the Rangers’ roster shakeup following a disappointing 2024-25 season that saw the team, despite reaching the Eastern Conference Finals the previous year, miss the playoffs with a 39-36-7 record.
The Rangers had planned to trade Trouba during the summer of 2024 but hesitated, wanting to avoid disrupting his family life while his wife completed her residency in New York.
However, the public scrutiny during that period likely impacted Trouba’s performance, leading to his trade to Anaheim last December for Urho Vaakanainen and a fourth-round pick.
Kreider, who spent 13 years with the Rangers and was considered a potential candidate for jersey retirement, followed Trouba to the Ducks in exchange for a third-round pick and prospect Carey Terrence.
“We had a long summer to process everything and make adjustments,” Kreider noted, reflecting on their last season. “Moving out there for the first time, the organization and the players made it easier to transition.” He previously had a standout performance, leading the Blueshirts to the Eastern Conference Finals with a natural hat trick.
At 34, Kreider has shown he still has plenty left in the tank this season. In his first 26 games with Anaheim, he scored 13 goals and provided eight assists for a total of 21 points—only nine points shy of his entire last season tally.
The Ducks, currently boasting a 19-10-1 record, lead the Pacific Division and have emerged as an unexpected success story, anchored by a youthful roster featuring players like Leo Carlson and Mason McTavish.
Former Islander Ross Johnston expressed enthusiasm about the young talent stepping up: “It’s exciting to see how new players are integrating, and older guys adapting to new roles. It’s a blend of our scoring ability and veteran leadership.” He acknowledged that while there are challenges, the team is finding ways to win.
The Ducks are set to face all three teams from the tri-state area during this trip, playing New Jersey on Saturday following Thursday’s game against the Islanders and Monday’s matchup against the Rangers. It remains to be seen how Trouba will be received in his return to Madison Square Garden. For Kreider, who made his NHL debut with the Rangers in 2012, it promises to be an emotional experience.
However, Kreider kept his thoughts to himself Thursday, emphasizing the need for focus. “It’s a business trip,” he said after the Ducks’ 5-2 defeat to the Islanders. “We had a good result in Pittsburgh, but we aim to improve.”
