The Anaheim Ducks are placing forward Chris Kreider on waivers to terminate his contract, ESPN reported. Kreider, 35, is in the final season of a seven-year, $45.5 million extension signed with the New York Rangers in February 2020. If he clears waivers, he will become an unrestricted free agent. The Massachusetts native wants to play closer to the East Coast, ESPN reported. He posted 50 points, including 22 goals and 28 assists, in 75 games during his first season with Anaheim in 2025-26. Kreider has 83 points in 135 career playoff games. He spent his first 13 NHL seasons with the Rangers, who selected him 19th overall in the 2009 first round. His career totals with New York and Anaheim are 632 points, 609 penalty minutes and a plus-117 rating in 958 games. Moving Kreider and his $6.5 million salary-cap hit would give Anaheim more financial flexibility to re-sign restricted free agent forward Cutter Gauthier, who led the team with 41 goals last season.