NHL Free Agency: Evaluating Kreider’s Potential Impact With Canadiens
Let’s make one thing very clear: joining the Montreal Canadiens would be rather complicated for unrestricted free agent Chris Kreider.
The 35-year-old forward is still widely perceived as a monster in Montreal, stemming from one of his many adventures into a goaltender’s crease that resulted in an injury. In this case, Carey Price was the victim, though Kreider was certainly helped along by former Canadiens defenceman Alexei Emelin.
While the old saying suggests time heals all wounds, the person who coined that phrase definitely was not a Habs fan.
Ask any long-term fan their opinion on Mario Tremblay, or Michel Therrien, and you’re likely to be reminded about Tremblay’s poor handling of former superstar Patrick Roy, or Therrien’s inability to make logical personnel choices in the playoffs.
Those episodes happened many years ago. Kreider’s incident with Price, by contrast, remains relatively fresh, as it occurred in 2014.
Still, in today’s NHL it is unwise to overlook any viable player within reason.
That makes Kreider a legitimate target for the Canadiens, at least to some degree.
The Canadiens want to add a top-six forward, and Kreider fits the profile. He is coming off a season in which he recorded 22 goals and 28 assists for 50 points in 75 games with the Anaheim Ducks. Those numbers, however, were not enough to justify his $6.5 million cap hit, the primary reason behind the mutual termination of his contract.
Montreal Canadiens Angle
Kreider still possesses the straight-line speed that would mesh well with Montreal’s high-tempo style, though he is no longer the pure speedster of his earlier NHL seasons.
Like every player before him, he is fighting a losing battle against Father Time.
Such is life for a professional athlete.
There is also the matter of his work ethic, which has been less than ideal over the past two seasons with the Ducks and the New York Rangers. It is certainly easier to stay engaged on a winning team, but his overall commitment has clearly wavered of late.
Having a strong, steady captain like Nick Suzuki would likely help mitigate some of those issues. Even so, it remains a legitimate concern when considering adding Kreider to a lineup known for putting everything on the line every night.
His versatility is a clear plus, particularly for a team that sometimes needs extra firepower on the wings depending on who is available. Kreider has long been comfortable switching sides on short notice and performing well whether he is on the left or right wing.
His underlying numbers are surprisingly solid for a player on the wrong side of 30. With Kreider on the ice last season, the Ducks controlled 56% of the shots at even strength, the second-best mark on the team, trailing only star forward Leo Carlsson (56.2%).
He also posted a strong share of high-danger scoring chances at 54.4%, again the second-best result among Ducks forwards. His expected-goal share stood at 53.7% and his actual goal share at 50.5%, both solid figures.
Simply put, despite numerous intangibles working against him, Kreider remains a very good hockey player capable of moving the needle for most NHL teams.
Brass Tacks
There are several factors to weigh when evaluating an unrestricted free agent, especially one who is rapidly approaching the twilight of his career. Kreider previously played alongside current head coach Martin St-Louis, which should allow for honest, open communication should any issues arise.
A player of Kreider’s calibre could certainly help the Canadiens sustain their upward trajectory. However, he would need to compromise on many fronts before Montreal would seriously consider adding him to the lineup.
The first is salary. While he remains a solid asset, he no longer delivers the kind of impact that justifies a rich contract. As a result, he would have to accept a bargain-basement deal, something that seems unlikely given his established track record in the NHL.
He would also need to step aside and let younger players take the lead, much as Josh Anderson has adjusted his role within the Canadiens’ lineup. That is a difficult proposition for a player who spent more than a decade as a premier forward. It would almost certainly mean accepting a short-term contract, another challenging decision for an aging player. The bottom can fall out at any moment, so he is likely to seek some measure of job security in his next deal.
On the flip side of the coin, few executives understand what Kreider brings to the table better than Canadiens vice-president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton, who spent well over a decade in the Rangers organization alongside him.
If Gorton can convince Kreider that Montreal offers his best chance at a meaningful playoff run, while also addressing the other sticking points in any potential contract, he would make an excellent addition to the lineup.
That said, there are simply too many variables at play to call this a match made in heaven.
In all likelihood, Kreider will sign a deal that is too rich for the Canadiens’ blood, possibly with their historic rivals, the Boston Bruins, a perfect landing spot for a player already viewed as a villain in Montreal.
All Montreal Canadiens and Chris Kreider statistics are 5v5 unless otherwise noted, via Natural Stat Trick.
