Former New York Rangers star forward Chris Kreider has made a very surprising decision. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Kreider has agreed to be placed on waivers by the Anaheim Ducks so that his contract can be terminated. "In an effort to ease their sudden salary-cap crunch, the Anaheim Ducks placed Chris Kreider on waivers for the purposes of contract termination," Friedman wrote.
"The move — which is happening with Kreider’s approval — make the player an unrestricted free agent once he passes through. According to several sources, Kreider has indicated he desires to return east, closer to family where he spent the first 13 years of his career, and will not report if claimed somewhere he prefers not to play." This is a surprising decision by Kreider, as he is walking away from a $4 million base salary for this season. However, if he ends up clearing waivers and becomes an unrestricted free agent, it is possible that he could get a similar salary with his new contract.
Nevertheless, seeing a player who is coming off a 50-point season being willing to terminate his contract is pretty shocking. Yet, this decision will now give Kreider the chance to go to an NHL team that is closer to home. Meanwhile, the Ducks will free up $6.5 million of cap space, which they will surely use to help re-sign restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier.
Kreider spent 13 seasons with the Rangers from 2012-13 to 2024-25, where he posted 326 goals, 256 assists, and 582 points in 883 games.
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