Chris Kreider had his contract terminated by the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday, one day after the team placed him on unconditional waivers.
The 35-year-old forward went unclaimed and is now an unrestricted free agent who can sign with any team. Kreider had one season remaining on the seven-year, $45.5 million contract ($6.5 million average annual value) he signed with the New York Rangers on Feb.
24, 2020.
With training camp set to open next week, the Ducks needed room under the NHL salary cap ($104 million) to sign restricted free agent forward Cutter Gauthier, who led them in goals (41) and points (69) last season.
"I want to thank Chris for his efforts last year and recognize the professionalism he and his representatives demonstrated throughout this process," Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said."Our rationale here is straightforward: We needed to create salary cap flexibility, and this accomplishes that."
Anaheim matched the five-year, $90 million offer sheet ($18 million AAV) given to center Leo Carlsson by the Philadelphia Flyers on July 9. It also signed forward A.J.
Greer to a four-year contract and defenseman Pavel Mintyukov to a five-year contract in July.
Kreider had 50 points (22 goals, 28 assists) in 75 regular-season games and seven points (two goals, five assists) in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games last season, his first with the Ducks after being traded by the Rangers for forward prospect Carey Terrance and a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft on June 11, 2025.
In 14 NHL seasons with New York and Anaheim, Kreider has 632 points (348 goals, 284 assists) in 958 regular-season games and 83 points (50 goals, 33 assists) in 135 playoff games. He's scored at least 20 goals 11 times, including a career-best 52 in 2021-22, tied with Adam Graves for second-most in a season for the Rangers behind the 54 by Jaromir Jagr in 2005-06.
The Ducks (43-33-6) finished third in the Pacific Division last season and clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2017-18. They defeated the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference First Round before being eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights.
