The Anaheim Ducks are placing veteran forward Chris Kreider on waivers to terminate his contract, a move confirmed by ESPN on Wednesday. Kreider, 35, was entering the final season of a seven-year deal carrying a $6.5 million average annual value. His total salary for 2026-27 is $4 million.

Provided he passes through waivers, Kreider will become an unrestricted free agent. According to an NHL source, Kreider has expressed a desire to play closer to the East Coast but has yet to determine his next team. Kreider is entering his 15th NHL season, having played 14 of them with the New York Rangers.

They traded him to Anaheim in June 2025 after he waived his no-trade clause. Kreider played 75 games for the Ducks, scoring 22 goals and adding 28 assists, with two goals and five assists in 12 playoff games. The decision comes as the Ducks are in prolonged contract talks with restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier, 22, who led the team with 41 goals last season.

Those negotiations were dramatically impacted by Leo Carlsson's decision to sign a five-year, $90 million offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers that the Ducks matched. Carlsson's $18 million AAV is the highest for any NHL player next season. Kreider has 348 goals and 284 assists in 958 career games.

Sportsnet was first to report on the contract termination.