Sources: Ducks waiving Chris Kreider with East move on deck
The Anaheim Ducks are placing veteran forward Chris Kreider on waivers for the purposes of terminating his contract, a source confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday.
Kreider, 35, was entering the final season of a seven-year deal that carries a $6.5 million average annual value against the salary cap. His total salary for the 2026-27 season is $4 million.
Provided Kreider passes through waivers, the contract termination will make him an unrestricted free agent. According to an NHL source, Kreider has expressed a desire to play closer to the East Coast but has yet to determine his next team.
Kreider is entering his 15th NHL season, having played 14 of them with the New York Rangers. They traded him to Anaheim in June 2025 after he waived his no-trade clause to make the deal happen. Kreider played 75 games for the Ducks, scoring 22 goals and adding 28 assists. He had two goals and five assists in 12 playoff games.
The decision to part ways with Kreider comes as the Ducks are in prolonged contract talks with restricted free agent forward Cutter Gauthier, 22, who led the team with 41 goals last season. Those negotiations were dramatically impacted by Ducks star center Leo Carlsson's decision to sign a five-year, $90 million offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers that the Ducks matched. Carlsson's $18 million AAV is the highest for any NHL player next season.
Kreider has 348 goals and 284 assists in 958 career games. The 6-foot-3 winger is known for his presence in front of the net and ability on special teams.
Sportsnet was first to report on Kreider's contract termination.
