Anaheim clears out a deal signed in 2020
Six and a half million dollars. That is what the Anaheim Ducks just freed up by placing Chris Kreider on waivers with the intent to terminate his contract, per an ESPN report on Wednesday. The 35-year-old winger had one year left on the seven-year, $45.5 million extension he put his name to in February 2020, back when he was still pulling a New York Rangers sweater over his head.
Clear waivers unclaimed and he becomes an unrestricted free agent. ESPN says the Massachusetts native would like to end up closer to the East Coast. Geography sells as well as money at this stage of a career.
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Fifty points at 35, and that was the problem
The numbers were never the issue. Kreider put up 50 points in 75 games in his first year in California, 22 goals and 28 assists in 2025-26. For a power winger on the wrong side of 35, that holds up.
His resume holds up better. Thirteen seasons with the Rangers, who took him 19th overall in 2009. Across New York and Anaheim: 632 points in 958 regular-season games, 348 goals, 284 assists, 609 penalty minutes, a plus-117.
Then there is the number that hiring managers in this league actually chase. Fifty goals in 135 playoff games. Very few forwards of his generation come close to that rate. He also led the NHL with 26 power-play goals and 11 game-winners in 2021-22.
Cutter Gauthier is the whole story here
Wiping that $6.5 million cap hit off the books does something specific for Anaheim. Cutter Gauthier is a 22-year-old restricted free agent who led the club with 41 goals last season, and he needs paying.
Veteran on one side, scorer entering his prime on the other. The Ducks picked.
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