The Anaheim Ducks announced Thursday that they have placed forward Chris Kreider on unconditional waivers, and after he cleared, the team terminated his contract. The 35‑year‑old veteran is now an unrestricted free agent as NHL training camps prepare to open next week.
Why the Ducks made the move
General manager Pat Verbeek said the decision was driven by the need for additional salary‑cap flexibility. ‘I want to thank Chris for his efforts last year and recognize the professionalism he and his representatives demonstrated throughout this process,’ Verbeek said. ‘Our rationale here is straightforward: We needed to create salary cap flexibility, and this accomplishes that.’
Financial context
Kreider entered Anaheim on a seven‑year, $45.5 million extension signed with the New York Rangers in February 2020. He had one season remaining on that deal, carrying a $6.5 million average annual value against the cap. By terminating the contract, the Ducks free up space to retain and potentially re‑sign other key players.
The organization is actively working to keep 22‑year‑old forward Cutter Gauthier, who led the Ducks with 41 goals and 69 points last season. Gauthier is currently a restricted free agent, and the cap relief from Kreider’s departure improves Anaheim’s ability to meet his expected raise.
Recent roster moves
In recent weeks the Ducks have been busy reshaping their roster. They matched a five‑year, $90 million offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers for star center Leo Carlsson, whose $18 million average annual value will be the highest in the league this season. The team also signed forward A.J. Greer to a four‑year contract and defenseman Pavel Mintyukov to a five‑year deal during the summer.
Kreider’s contributions in Anaheim
During the 2025‑26 season, Kreider posted 50 points (22 goals, 28 assists) in 75 regular‑season games and added seven points (two goals, five assists) in 12 playoff contests. He led the NHL with 26 power‑play goals and 11 game‑winning goals in the 2021‑22 campaign, a season in which he recorded a career‑high 52 goals.
Before joining Anaheim, Kreider spent 13 seasons with the New York Rangers, the team that drafted him 19th overall in the 2009 first round. Over his Rangers and Ducks tenure, he amassed 632 points (348 goals, 284 assists), 609 penalty minutes and a plus‑117 rating in 958 games. In the playoffs, he has 83 points (50 goals, 33 assists) in 135 games.
What’s next for Kreider
As an unrestricted free agent, Kreider will evaluate offers from any NHL club looking for a proven scorer and power‑play specialist. His experience and track record of delivering in clutch situations make him a valuable asset for teams aiming to bolster their offensive depth.
The Ducks, meanwhile, will enter the upcoming training camp with a clearer financial picture and a roster built around younger talent and the high‑impact acquisition of Leo Carlsson. Fans can look forward to seeing how the team’s new composition performs as the season approaches.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
