Chris Kreider's long-awaited return to MSG comes with emotion and irony

Kreider, drafted 19th overall by the New York Rangers in 2009, debuted during the 2012-13 season and spent 13 years with the franchise, becoming one of the defining players of his era. His blend of speed, power and leadership made him a fixture on Broadway.

That era sadly ended this past summer when general manager Chris Drury made the stunning decision to trade the longtime winger to the Anaheim Ducks.

At the time, the move was framed as part of a roster reset, an effort to get younger and create cap flexibility. But if anything has backfired early in the 2025-26 season, it is the belief that Kreider's best years were behind him. Instead, he has exploded in Anaheim. In just 25 games, the 34-year-old has scored 13 goals and added eight assists, instantly becoming one of the Ducks' most productive forwards.

His return to MSG now carries an emotional weight the Rangers could not have anticipated when they made the trade, as the veteran forward will return on December 15th if all goes according to plan.

This matchup already feels heavier than a typical December game. Kreider was never just another Ranger. He represented transition eras, playoff pushes, leadership voids and homegrown identity. To see him thriving elsewhere while the Rangers battle through injuries and inconsistency sharpens the sense of what was lost.

Still, his welcome back is destined to be warm. Kreider gave the Garden countless moments, from playoff bursts to 52-goal dominance. Even in a different sweater, his connection to the building remains intact.