Ugly exits from the New York Rangers have worked out for former captain Jacob Trouba and long-time forward Chris Kreider.

The two are part of an Anaheim Ducks team that has taken the league by surprise with a 19-11-1 record, tied for first in the Pacific Division after missing the playoffs in each of the past seven seasons.

Trouba and Kreider will both play at Madison Square Garden for the first time since they were each shipped off by the Rangers on Monday, facing a New York team that sits just outside the playoff picture after missing the postseason last spring.

Trouba was dealt to the Ducks last December after general manager Chris Drury sent shockwaves around the league with a memo that he was willing to deal veterans on his roster. The move to Anaheim came after the Rangers reportedly threatened to place Trouba on waivers if he did not waive his partial no-trade clause.

“I wasn’t really thrilled with how it went down. In my opinion, things could have been handled better,” Trouba said after the deal was completed. “It’s unfortunate how it all happened. But it’s a rite of passage to get fired from MSG.”

The 31-year-old blueliner is now thriving with the Ducks, posting five goals and 14 points in 31 games this season while being plus-14 as he averages 22:06 of ice time per game.

A year later after the tumultuous exit, he looks back more fondly at his time New York.

“I think anybody who’s been captain of the New York Rangers would tell you it’s not always sunshine and rainbows,” Trouba told The Athletic. “There are hard days. There’s a lot that goes into it, but there’s also only a handful of people who ever get that opportunity. I’m definitely forever grateful for that. I gave it all I had while I had that position. I was lucky enough to play in New York and get the experience and learn by looking back on everything — good and bad. I think even some of the bad times I look back on and say, ‘Wow. Not many people get to experience that in their late 20s and take that for the rest of your life and learn from it and move forward.’”

I took a drive out to LI on Wednesday to catch a Ducks’ practice and visit with former #NYR Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba in advance of their MSG returns.

We talked SoCal, growing families, rejuvenated seasons, NY legacies, lessons learned and more 👇🏼 https://t.co/zszYnbFwJ6

— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) December 12, 2025

Kreider was traded to Anaheim in June, ending a 13-year run on Broadway that saw him reach third on the franchise’s all-time goals list. The deal came after two days of reports a trade was close, but hung in limbo as Kreider weighed whether to waive his no-trade clause.

The 34-year-old winger is enjoying a bounce-back season in Anaheim, posting 13 goals and 21 points in 27 games. He’s on pace to top the 30-goal mark once again after an ugly 2024-25 campaign in which he finished with 22 goals and just 30 points in 68 games.

Kreider said he hasn’t used the off-season trade as motivation and shut down the idea he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder.

“It’s not useful,” he explained to The Athletic. “I don’t think that’s something that you can use consistently. I think that ends up being more of an energy sap. I’m intrinsically motivated. I don’t need anyone else to push me. That daily process, that daily mission — I know what I want to work on, what I want to accomplish. I think all the other stuff is just noise.”

As for reflecting on his Rangers tenure, which included 883 games – eighth most in team history – Kreider isn’t ready to look back on it with a bright future appearing to be ahead for the Ducks.

“You’re not going to like my answer,” he said. “I don’t have time for the big picture. I’ll reflect and whatever when it is the right time to do so. Right now, we have the Islanders tomorrow. We didn’t play well [Tuesday] night. We somehow won a hockey game. We’ve got to play better tomorrow (Anaheim lost 5-2 to the New York Islanders Thursday). West-to-east travel is pretty crazy, so what I’m thinking about right now is not reflecting. It’s going and getting a nap.”