After the Anaheim Ducks recently made the surprising, but equally understandable decision to place Chris Kredier on waivers for the purpose of contract termination, fans have been waiting for more clarity on that decision. Queue Sportsnet insider, Elliotte Friedman. On the latest 32 Thoughts Podcast, Friedman discussed how the Ducks came to that resolution with Kreider.
"There was a rumor going around that Kreider had been told he didn't have to come out to California for camp."Friedman
According to Friedman, Kreider was told to stay home and not uproot his life to travel out to Southern California for Ducks training camp. Friedman also stressed that that communication was done out of respect for Kreider. Apparently, other teams were also asking Ducks GM Pat Verbeek for draft picks in exchange for trading Kreider, but Verbeek was unwilling to part with more assets to clear the cap space.
What is even more interesting though, is the fact that Friedman believes that the Ducks are set on keeping both Alex Killorn and Frank Vatrano on the roster. Vatrano would have been the easier contract to move, with only a $4.25 million cap hit. Vatrano also spent most of last season in a minimal role or simply scratched altogether. In 50 games, Vatrano mustered only 9 points (5 goals, 4 assists) and never saw the ice during the Ducks playoff run. Killorn, on the other hand, was more serviceable in a middle six role. In 82 regular season games, Killorn had 33 points (15 goals, 18 assists) and notched another 9 points in the playoffs. Killorn also has a comparable cap hit to that of Kreider's old contract, with a $6.25 million AAV. But the Ducks ultimately decided the 50-point Kreider was the most expendable veteran.
See you in Montreal
It did not take long for Kreider to find a new team, as the forward signed a one-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens. With a cap hit of just $2.15 million and the possibility of earning an additional $3.25 million in performance bonuses, Kreider wound up with a deal that was a little cheaper than his old contract with the Ducks. Plus, Kreider ended back up in the Eastern Conference, his preferred locale. The Habs have a more stable cap situation than that of the Ducks, as their young core of players are locked up long term on more team friendly deals, unlike Leo Carlsson and the unsigned Gauthier. Kreider will also be reunited with his old New York Rangers teammate, Martin St. Louis, who is the Canadiens head coach.
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