New Delhi, Sept. 10 -- The Anaheim Ducks are putting veteran winger Chris Kreider on waivers so they can end the last year of his contract, according to ESPN. If he clears, the 35-year-old becomes an unrestricted free agent and can sign wherever he wants.

Notably, Kreider still has one season left on a seven-year deal that carries a $6.5 million cap hit. His actual cash due for 2026-27 is $4 million after a signing bonus paid July 1. That number is no longer a luxury the Ducks can carry.

The timing is not a coincidence. Anaheim Ducks are still trying to finish a new contract with restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier, the 22-year-old who led the club with 41 goals last season. Those talks got far harder after the Ducks matched a five-ye...