A proven top-six forward rarely becomes available with no acquisition cost less than three weeks before the start of the NHL season, but that's the case with Chris Kreider.
The Anaheim Ducks reportedly placed Kreider on waivers on Wednesday to terminate his contract. The move is apparently mutual, with the Ducks needing cap space and Kreider wanting to return east to be closer to family. He has one year left on his deal with a $6.5-million cap hit, but he'll become a free agent if he goes unclaimed on waivers. Rumors suggest Kreider may refuse to report if a team he doesn't want to play for claims him.
Kreider spent the first 13 years of his career with the New York Rangers before Anaheim traded for him in 2025. He grew up in Massachusetts and spends his offseasons in Connecticut and the New York area.
Despite being 35, Kreider hasn't lost much of a step. The 6-foot-3, 232-pound power forward ranked in the 82nd percentile of max skating speed last season while tallying 22 goals and 50 points in 75 games - his eighth straight and 11th total 20-goal campaign.
Below are the best-fitting teams for Kreider, listed alphabetically.
Boston Bruins
Cap space: $5.4M
Not only are the Bruins Kreider's hometown team, but Boston is in proximity to Connecticut/New York. The club is also a good fit, since it doesn't have a winger who scores from the greasy areas of the ice like Kreider. That quality would further endear him to a blue-collar fan base that values gritty, hardworking players.
Buffalo Sabres
Cap space: $5.1M
Buffalo is somewhat of a destination after ending its 14-year playoff drought last campaign. The Sabres lost Alex Tuch this summer, but they didn't add any notable forwards to replace him and are instead relying on internal development from their young players. Kreider could restore some of the physicality and goal-scoring that Tuch brought while serving as a valuable veteran mentor on a young team.
Carolina Hurricanes
Cap space: $9M
If Kreider is willing to venture a little farther from home while staying east, the Hurricanes have to be a consideration. Kreider hasn't won a Stanley Cup in his career, and the defending champions would offer him a solid chance at glory. Carolina's forward depth is also set to be tested early, with Seth Jarvis out to start the campaign following offseason shoulder surgery. Additionally, Kreider's speed and forechecking ability may make him an ideal fit in Rod Brind'Amour's system.
Philadelphia Flyers
Cap space: $13.8M
Philadelphia's biggest advantage may be its proximity to Connecticut/New York. With an average of 10.5 power-play goals per 82 games in his career, Kreider could help a Flyers team that finished last on the man advantage last season. Philadelphia also boasts arguably the game's most promising young power forward in Porter Martone. Who better to help show him the way than Kreider?
Tampa Bay Lightning
Cap space: $3.3M
How far from home is Kreider willing to go? If the entire East Coast is in play, then Tampa Bay could be a no-brainer. The Lightning have the clearest top-six forward opening out of all the teams on this list. Adding Kreider would bump Gage Goncalves, who posted a career-high 33 points last season, down into the bottom six, where he's ideally suited to play at this stage of his career. Florida's lack of state income tax and Tampa Bay's Stanley Cup aspirations also work in the Lightning's favor.
(Cap source: PuckPedia)
