Anaheim Ducks Expected to Terminate Chris Kreider’s Contract

The Anaheim Ducks are ready to make a significant sacrifice to solve their sudden salary-cap problem. According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, Anaheim is expected to place veteran forward Chris Kreider on waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract.

Kreider has approved the decision, and if he clears waivers, he would become an unrestricted free agent. Friedman added that Kreider would prefer to return to the Eastern Conference to be closer to family. He carries a $6.5 million cap hit entering the final year of his deal, though Friedman reported only $4 million in actual salary remains after his July 1 signing bonus.

Ducks Prioritizing Their Young Core

The Ducks’ situation changed dramatically after management had to match the Philadelphia Flyers’ five-year, $90 million offer sheet for restricted free agent Leo Carlsson on July 3, giving him an $18 million annual cap hit.

More importantly, Cutter Gauthier remains unsigned after leading the team with 41 goals and 69 points last season. General manager Pat Verbeek acknowledged earlier this summer that he will have work to do depending on Gauthier’s eventual salary.

Moving Kreider’s contract provides exactly that flexibility. It is still a painful loss. Kreider recorded 22 goals and 50 points last season and remains capable of providing secondary scoring, a net-front presence and leadership. But Anaheim’s priority has clearly shifted toward keeping its young core together.

Rather than surrendering draft picks or prospects as “sweeteners” in a salary-dump trade, terminating Kreider’s contract allows the Ducks to solve the problem without sacrificing future assets.

Where Could Kreider Sign?

Assuming Kreider clears waivers, there should be considerable interest. The New York Rangers stand out because of his history with the organization. He spent the first 13 seasons of his career in New York, and a reunion on a reasonable one-year contract would make sense if both sides are interested.

The New Jersey Devils could also be interested. Kreider would add size, playoff experience and another net-front option to a team looking to contend immediately. The Carolina Hurricanes might be an even stronger hockey fit. Kreider wouldn’t need to carry the offence and could provide valuable finishing ability around the crease on a championship-caliber team.

Finally, the Boston Bruins deserve consideration. Kreider is a Massachusetts native, and Friedman’s report that he wants to be closer to family makes Boston particularly interesting. For Anaheim, however, this move isn’t really about Kreider. It’s about Carlsson, Gauthier and keeping the Ducks’ emerging core intact. Kreider becoming available is simply the expensive consequence of that plan.