The past 24 hours have been anything but quiet in the NHL. The Anaheim Ducks made a surprise roster move, terminating veteran forward Chris Kreider and instantly turning him into an unrestricted free agent. At the same time, NHL Tonight turned its spotlight onto two of the league’s most coveted free‑agency targets – Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets and Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings – sparking a flurry of analysis about where they might land.
Kreider’s abrupt exit frees $6.5 million
In a move that caught many fans off‑guard, the Ducks announced they have terminated Chris Kreider’s contract, making him a free agent and clearing $6.5 million in cap space for the club【Reuters】. The 33‑year‑old veteran, who spent the bulk of his career with the New York Rangers before joining Anaheim, had been a depth‑forward option this season. The termination gives the Ducks a rare mid‑season breathing room under the salary cap, though the team has not yet indicated how it will re‑allocate those dollars.
The decision also re‑opens the market for a forward with Kreider’s experience. While the Ducks have not released a statement about potential replacements, the cap relief could be used to address depth needs as the playoffs loom.
NHL Tonight breaks down Hellebuyck and Larkin’s free‑agency futures
Later in the evening, NHL Tonight devoted a segment to the upcoming free‑agency situations of goalie Connor Hellebuyck and forward Dylan Larkin【NHL.com】. Both players are entering the final year of their current deals and are expected to command top‑tier contracts on the open market.
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Connor Hellebuyck – The Jets’ workhorse netminder has posted a league‑leading 2.78 GAA and .923 save percentage this season, anchoring Winnipeg’s defensive identity. The segment highlighted his durability (four straight seasons with at least 60 wins) and the Jets’ limited cap flexibility, suggesting a potential “win‑win” scenario if Hellebuyck signs a long‑term extension.
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Dylan Larkin – Detroit’s captain logged 31 goals and 48 assists in 78 games, maintaining his status as the Red Wings’ offensive engine. Analysts on the show noted his $5 million‑a‑year contract is set to expire after the season, and that the Red Wings could be forced to make a hard decision given their rebuilding timeline.
The broadcast did not reveal any concrete offers, but the emphasis on both players’ production and contract status underscores how quickly the free‑agency market will heat up once the season concludes.
What’s next?
With the Ducks now holding additional cap space and the league’s top free agents drawing intense scrutiny, the next few weeks promise a cascade of roster moves. Teams in need of veteran depth may look to snap up a player like Kreider, while the Jets and Red Wings will have to decide whether to lock in their stars or let the market dictate the next chapter.
Stay tuned for the upcoming playoff series and the inevitable free‑agency negotiations that will shape the NHL’s landscape heading into the off‑season.