The Anaheim Ducks are placing forward Chris Kreider on waivers for the purposes of terminating his contract, ESPN reported Wednesday.
The 35-year-old veteran is entering the final season of a seven-year, $45.5 million extension he signed while with the New York Rangers in February 2020.
Kreider will become an unrestricted free agent if he passes through waivers. ESPN reported that the Massachusetts native wants to play closer to the East Coast.
He recorded 50 points (22 goals, 28 assists) in 75 games during his first season with the Ducks in 2025-26.
He has 83 points (50 goals, 33 assists) in 135 career playoff games.
Kreider played his first 13 NHL seasons with the Rangers, who drafted him in the first round (19th overall) in 2009. He has 632 points (348 goals, 284 assists), 609 penalty minutes and a plus-117 rating in 958 career games with New York (2012-25) and Anaheim.
Kreider led the NHL with 26 power-play goals and 11 game-winning goals during the 2021-22 season.
Parting with Kreider and his $6.5 million cap hit would give the Ducks more financial flexibility to re-sign restricted free agent forward Cutter Gauthier. Gauthier, 22, led the team with 41 goals last season.
