A late addition to the free-agent market has arrived.
Chris Kreider cleared waivers Thursday and is available to sign with any team, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported.
The Anaheim Ducks waived Kreider for the purposes of contract termination on Wednesday in an effort to ease their salary-cap crunch. The veteran forward was due a $6.5-million cap hit this season, but only $4 million in real cash.
“I want to thank Chris for his efforts last year and recognize the professionalism he and his representatives demonstrated throughout this process," Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said in a statement. "Our rationale here is straightforward: We needed to create salary cap flexibility, and this accomplishes that.”
Kreider's preference now is to return east after spending the first 13 seasons of his career with the New York Rangers, per Friedman.
The 36-year-old from Boxford, Mass., skated in 75 games last season, his first with the Ducks, registering 22 goals and 28 assists.
He has not dipped below the 20-goal mark in any season since 2017-18.
Kreider could reach the 1,000-game milestone with his next team as he enters this season at 958. He has 348 goals and 284 assists.
