3 Boston Bruins who benefit from Chris Kreider signing with the Montreal Canadiens
When news broke last week that the Anaheim Ducks were releasing Chris Kreider, he suddenly became a top free-agent target for a lot of teams. One of those teams, which had to be in the East, was the Boston Bruins.
In the end, Kreider wanted to go to a Stanley Cup contender, and that sadly really isn’t the Bruins right now. Instead, he signed late on Saturday afternoon with the Montreal Canadiens, giving the Habs a dynamic top-six wing and another weapon to their talented power play. Looking to take the next step this season after getting bounced in the Eastern Conference Final by the Carolina Hurricanes. Going back to the Black and Gold, here are three players who benefit from Kreider not signing in Boston.
Casey Mittlestadt
Let’s be honest, if Kreider signed with the Bruins, the one player who would have been bounced from the top six is Casey Mittlestadt. You’re not taking anyone else out of the top six. You could make the case that trading him was likely the option that general manager Don Sweeney would have done.
Anyway, the worst-case scenario if Kreider signed and the Bruins needed to make room, a prospect likely would have been bumped if Mittlestadt stayed. Last season, Mittlestadt thrived on the second line with Viktor Arvidsson and Pavel Zacha, but now, looking at two new linemates likely, we’ll see if he can contribute again as he did in 2025-26.
James Hagens
Sadly, the one player who would have been affected the most by Kreider signing would have been youngster James Hagens. Now, playing in this weekend’s Prospect Showcase in Buffalo, Hagens still has a good chance to make the roster. Otherwise, he might have ended up with the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League (AHL).
Hagens will still have to earn his spot on the roster, with a lot of bottom-six forwards also in the mix. Who knows? Maybe he can grab a top-six spot, but unlikely. Regardless, Hagens dodged a bullet with Kreider not signing in Boston.
Matthew Poitras (Maybe)
So, Matthew Poitras still doesn’t have a contract with the Bruins, but we’re banking on the fact that he’ll get one before the first on-ice workout. Like Hagens, he’ll have a tough uphill climb to make the roster. You have to think that his time is running out in terms of a spot in Boston, as there isn’t anything left for him to accomplish in the AHL with the P-Bruins. Kreider signing likely would have meant the end of Poitras’ time in Boston.
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