Chris Kreider’s contract with the Anaheim Ducks has been terminated, and he’s become an unrestricted free agent. He’s collected a $1 million signing bonus already, but is forfeiting his $4 million salary. He had carried a $6.5 million cap hit, so the Ducks are thankful to get rid of that. Elliotte Friedman reported that Kreider is looking to get back East and closer to his family.
The best fits in the East for Chris Kreider
Josh Wegman of theScore: Chris Kreider and the Anaheim Ducks mutually terminated his contract. Kreider is now a UFA, and he’s looking to get back East. He grew up in Massachusetts and spends his offseason around New York and Connecticut.
He put up 22 goals and 50 points in 75 games last season as a 35-year-old. A look at the best landing spots for Kreider.
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Boston Bruins – $5.4 million in cap space. His hometown team, and they don’t have a winger like him.
Buffalo Sabres – $5.1 million in cap space. Could bring a bit of what they lost in Alex Tuch.
Carolina Hurricanes – $9 million in cap space. A little further from his ‘home,’ but he’s an ideal fit for Rod Brind’Amour’s system.
Philadelphia Flyers – $13.8 million in cap space. Would help up the power play and be a nice mentor to Porter Martone.
Tampa Bay Lightning – $3.3 million in cap space. Would he want to go that south? No tax, they want to win, and he might get top-six minutes.
Charlie O’Connor: “I get the argument that a Chris Kreider addition would at least mean that the Flyers made SOME offseason attempt to improve the power play from the outside. But they already have too many wings for their top-9. I just don’t see where he would fit.”
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Rory Boylen of Sportsnet: After collecting the signing bonus already, Chris Kreider is out $4 million. How much will he want to recoup of that? It’s possible he could sign for $1 or $2 million, but when looking for potential destinations here, we’ll look at it if he’s looking for a one-year deal at $4 million.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have $3.2 million in cap space, so they didn’t make the list. Though they are in a tax-free state, so he could sign for less.
Boston Bruins – $5.3 million in cap space. Could be an upgrade on Casey Mittelstadt on the second line on the left side. James Hagens may start the season on the left side as well, which may complicate things.
Buffalo Sabres – $5.1 million in cap space. He might take a spot from a younger player, but if they move someone to land Connor Hellebuyck, then there could be room.
Carolina Hurricanes – $8.18 million in cap space. They’ve had a quiet offseason after winning the Cup. Might slot in ahead of Taylor Hall in the middle-six.
Pittsburgh Penguins – $11 million in cap space. Not a Cup contending team, but they should still be in the playoff hunt. The chance to play with Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin might interest him.
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New York Islanders – $4.159 million in cap space. He’d be an upgrade on newly signed Matias Maccelli and would upgrade their middle-six. Lots of opportunities on their left side. They want to be a playoff team.
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