Ducks waiving Chris Kreider to facilitate contract termination

The Anaheim Ducks made several major moves this offseason, including giving a large contract extension to Leo Carlson. Meanwhile, Cutter Gauthier also needs a new deal, which is going to take up more cap space.

Now, the Ducks are making another major move, waiving Chris Kreiset, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

“In an effort to ease their sudden salary-cap crunch, the Anaheim Ducks are expected to place Chris Kreider on waivers for the purposes of contract termination,” Friedman wrote. “The move — which is happening with Kreider’s approval — would make the player an unrestricted free agent once he passes through. According to several sources, Kreider has indicated he desires to return east, closer to family where he spent the first 13 years of his career, and will not report if claimed somewhere he prefers not to play.”

Kreider was the 19th overall selection of the 2009 NHL Draft by the New York Rangers. He played with the Rangers in the 2012 playoffs and became a full-time NHL player in the 2013-14 campaign. He played 888 regular-season games with the Rangers, the eighth most in franchise history. He was also third in goals and tenth in points in franchise history. Further, he holds Rangers records for playoff games played, playoff goals, and playoff points.

Kreider was traded in the 2025 offseason to the Ducks in exchange for a prospect and draft picks. He played 75 games with the Ducks, finding the back of the net 22 times while adding 28 assists. He also played in 12 playoff games with the team, scoring two goals and adding five assists. If he does not end up with a new team, Kreider will finish his career playing 958 games with 348 goals and 284 assists.

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