Chris Kreider is now officially a free agent

It's not every day that a proven top-six forward with over 300 career NHL goals hits the open market less than three weeks before the start of a new season. But that's exactly the situation the hockey world finds itself in right now, and the ripple effects could reshape the plans of several contenders heading into training camp.

The Anaheim Ducks officially terminated Chris Kreider's contract on Thursday after the 35-year-old forward went unclaimed on unconditional waivers. Kreider is now an unrestricted free agent, free to sign with any team he chooses. He had one year remaining on the seven-year, $45.5 million deal he originally signed with the New York Rangers back in February 2020, carrying a $6.5 million average annual value.

Why Anaheim Made the Move

The decision from the Ducks' side was largely a financial one. Anaheim needed salary cap flexibility heading into the 2026-27 season, particularly with restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier still needing a new contract after leading the team with 41 goals and 69 points last year. The Ducks had already committed significant money elsewhere this summer, matching the massive five-year, $90 million offer sheet Philadelphia extended to center Leo Carlsson and inking new deals for forward A.J. Greer and defenseman Pavel Mintyukov.

Ducks GM Pat Verbeek thanked Kreider for his professionalism throughout the process, calling the rationale "straightforward." Reports indicate the move was somewhat mutual, with Kreider reportedly wanting to return to the East Coast to be closer to family. He grew up in Massachusetts and spends his offseasons in Connecticut and the New York area.

Kreider spent just one season in Anaheim after the Rangers traded him in June 2025 for forward prospect Carey Terrance and a third-round pick in the 2025 Draft. He put up a solid 50 points on 22 goals and 28 assists in 75 regular-season games and added seven points in 12 playoff contests as the Ducks made the postseason for the first time since 2017-18. Anaheim knocked off Edmonton in the first round before falling to Vegas.

So Where Does Kreider Land?

Despite his age, Kreider hasn't slowed down much at all. The 6-foot-3, 232-pound power forward ranked in the 82nd percentile for max skating speed last season and notched his 11th career 20-goal campaign, the eighth in a row. Over 14 NHL seasons between New York and Anaheim, he's accumulated 632 points with 348 goals and 284 assists in 958 regular-season games, along with an impressive 83 points in 135 playoff contests. His career-best 52-goal season in 2021-22 remains tied for second-most in a single season in Rangers franchise history.

Several Eastern Conference teams make sense as potential landing spots. The Boston Bruins are his hometown team and sit close to his offseason home base, though they have only about $5.4 million in cap room. The Carolina Hurricanes, fresh off a Stanley Cup championship, could use the depth with Seth Jarvis expected to miss time early in the season following shoulder surgery, and they have roughly $9 million to work with. The Philadelphia Flyers have the most cap flexibility of any potential suitor at around $13.8 million and could use Kreider's power-play prowess after finishing dead last on the man advantage last season. Buffalo, coming off a long-awaited return to the playoffs, lost Alex Tuch this summer and could use a physical, goal-scoring presence. Even Tampa Bay could be in the mix if Kreider is willing to stretch his geographic preferences a bit, as the Lightning have a clear top-six opening and no state income tax working in their favor.

With training camps opening next week, the clock is ticking. A player of Kreider's caliber won't be on the market for long, and whichever team lands him will be adding a veteran power forward who can still produce at a high level and who brings a wealth of playoff experience. For Kreider, who has never won a Stanley Cup, the chance to pick his own destination might be the silver lining in an otherwise unusual situation.