Veteran forward Chris Kreider cleared waivers Thursday after the Anaheim Ducks made the move for the purposes of terminating his contract.
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 had been $4 million.
According to an NHL source, Kreider, who will be an unrestricted free agent, 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.