Ducks to terminate Chris Krieder’s contract: How that helps both sides

The Anaheim Ducks are placing forward Chris Kreider on waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract, according to multiple reports.

The move will help both the player and the team.

The Massachusetts native wants to return east, according to Sportsnet, which first reported the waiver move. If he clears waivers and has the final year of his contract terminated, that makes him a free agent and a new team can sign him for less than his current $6.5 million cap hit. He already received a $1 million signing bonus.

Kreider, 35, had played the first 13 years of his career with the New York Rangers before being traded to the Ducks in June 2025.

The Ducks would benefit because they are in a cap crunch after matching the Philadelphia Flyers' offer sheet to Leo Carlsson that makes him the NHL's highest-paid player in 2026-27.

They have a little more than $9 million left with Carlsson averaging $18 million. But they still have to sign restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier, who led Anaheim with 41 goals and 69 points last season.

Taking Kreider off the books would give them a lot more room to play with in a new Gauthier…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/