NHL News · September 2026
Veteran forward Chris Kreider is free to sign with another club after the Anaheim Ducks terminated his contract on September 10. The move became official after Kreider went unclaimed on unconditional waivers.
What Anaheim’s decision changed
Kreider had one season remaining on the seven-year, $45.5 million contract he originally signed with the New York Rangers in February 2020. The agreement carried a $6.5 million average annual value for the final season.
By using unconditional waivers and terminating the contract after it went unclaimed, Anaheim created additional salary-cap flexibility. NHL.com reported that the Ducks needed room under the league’s $104 million cap while working to sign restricted free-agent forward Cutter Gauthier.
Kreider’s production remains notable
In his first season with Anaheim, Kreider recorded 50 points in 75 regular-season games, scoring 22 goals and adding 28 assists. He produced another seven points—two goals and five assists—across 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
At 35, he now enters the market as an experienced forward with a long record of net-front scoring, penalty killing and playoff hockey. His next contract will depend on a club’s cap space, role requirements and evaluation of how his game fits its lineup.
Why the timing matters
The transaction arrived just before training camps, when most teams have already built the core of their rosters. That can narrow immediate options, but it also gives clubs a clearer picture of injuries, unsigned players and remaining cap flexibility.
A short-term agreement could reduce risk for both sides. A contender might view Kreider as experienced depth or a specialist around the net, while the player can choose an opportunity based on role and competitive situation. Those possibilities remain analysis, not a confirmed destination.
What comes next
Kreider can negotiate with any NHL team. Until a contract is announced by a club or the league, reports about destinations should be treated as speculation. Anaheim, meanwhile, can continue its remaining restricted-free-agent work before camp.
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Reporting sources: NHL.com transaction report. WatchGameDay independently summarizes publicly reported developments and links readers to the original reporting.
