Friedman: Ducks to Waive Kreider

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Esteemed TSN reporter Eliotte Friedman broke this story first. The Anaheim Ducks and veteran winger Chris Kreider have mutually agreed to terminate the final season of the player’s contract. Kreider, 35, had one season left on the contract he signed with the New York Rangers in 2020.

The Ducks were contractually compelled to get Kreider’s consent first. He had a no-movement clause in his contract in addition to a 15-team no-trade list. He agreed to forfeit his $4 million real-dollar gross salary ($6.5 million AAV) for 2026-27.

Essentially, Kreider bet on himself that he can secure a bigger contract and/or handpick a destination as an unrestricted free agent. Last season. he showed he still had enough in the tank for a 22-goal, 50 point season. Undoubtedly, some teams remain interested.

Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek was unable to get suitable trade offers because of the team’s precarious cap situation. Anaheim now has enough money to get restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier signed. However, it’s short-term relief. Anaheim remains hamstrung. Thereafter, once they get Gauthier signed, much of their cap will be tied into Gauthier, Leo Carlsson and Pavel Mintukov.

Verbeek preferred to terminate Kreider’s contract rather than face the alternatives. One such alternative: add a valuable asset as a sweetener to unload Kreider’s contract. Instead, he opted to part with a still-able but aging winger.

What’s the next step for Kreider? That remains to be seen. The immediate speculation, however, is that he’ll return east.