ANAHEIM — The Anaheim Ducks are expected to place veteran winger Chris Kreider on waivers for the purposes of contract termination in an effort to ease a sudden salary-cap crunch. The move is happening with Kreider’s approval and would make him an unrestricted free agent once he clears waivers, with one season remaining on his current contract at a $6.5 million cap hit but only $4 million in cash still due after a signing bonus paid July 1.
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 by a team in a location he prefers not to play. There definitely is interest in the winger despite that stance, as clubs evaluate the reduced cash obligation against the full cap charge.
Anaheim’s cap situation shifted sharply due to Leo Carlsson’s matched $18 million offer sheet and a looming extension for 41-goal scorer Cutter Gauthier. General manager Pat Verbeek was forced to jettison cash to navigate the squeeze.
According to several sources, Verbeek did not like the trade options presented to him, specifically the “sweeteners” he might have to include to get a deal done. That reluctance pushed the club toward the termination route instead of a conventional trade.
The option has become much more en vogue over the last season, although it remains rare to see a 50-point player — as Kreider was last season — go this route. How the market responds will become clear over the next 48 hours as the waiver process plays out.