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Ducks Place Kreider on Waivers for Contract Termination
Confirmed
In Short: The Anaheim Ducks are expected to place veteran forward Chris Kreider on waivers, aiming to terminate his contract and create cap space.
The Anaheim Ducks are facing a significant cap crunch following the signing of Leo Carlsson to a five-year contract extension. To alleviate this financial burden, the team is reportedly considering placing veteran forward Chris Kreider on waivers, according to reports from Pro Hockey Rumors. Carlsson's deal, originally signed as an offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers, adds a substantial $18 million cap hit to the Ducks' budget, necessitating the creation of nearly $6 million in cap space.
Kreider, who has one season remaining on his $6.5 million AAV contract, is reportedly seeking to return to the Eastern Conference, closer to his family, where he spent the first 13 years of his career. According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, Kreider has indicated he will not report to any team he does not prefer to play for, making his next destination a critical factor in the decision-making process. The Ducks' General Manager, Pat Verbeek, reportedly sought trade possibilities for Kreider but was not interested in adding extra assets to the receiving team.
Friedman also reported that the Ducks and Kreider have mutually agreed to terminate his contract, with the forward expected to sign with another team before the start of training camp. The move is seen as a strategic decision to free up cap space, with the team's decision to match Carlsson's offer sheet being entirely defensible. Despite the mutual agreement, Kreider's preference to return to the Eastern Conference adds an element of uncertainty to his next destination.
The timing of this decision is crucial, as NHL training camps are set to kick off in about a week. Kreider's situation has become the most intriguing unrestricted free agent on the market, with his next team mattering significantly to him. The Ducks' approach to this situation highlights the complexities of managing a cap-limited roster in the NHL, where financial constraints often dictate player movement.
What's confirmed
- Friedman writes “according to several sources, 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 somewhere he prefers not to play.” Kreider has one season remaining on his $6.5MM AAV contract.
What's still developing
- To reach the $15MM number, they would need to create almost $6MM in cap space – which almost exactly aligns with the cap hit that would be cleared off their books if Kreider’s deal is terminated.