Montreal Canadiens sign Chris Kreider to one-year contract
SEATTLE, WA – JANUARY 23: Forward Chris Kreider #20 of the Anaheim Ducks looks on during a game between the Anaheim Ducks and Seattle Kraken on January 23, 2026 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Henry Rodenburg/Icon Sportswire)
The Montreal Canadiens have made a significant addition to their NHL roster right before training camp, signing forward Chris Kreider to a one-year contract, the team announced on Saturday.
Kreider had his contract with the Anaheim Ducks terminated by mutual consent this week, becoming a free agent. According to reports, the contract has a cap hit of $2.15 million, with the potential for more with bonuses.
Kreider had 22 goals and 28 assists in 75 games with the Ducks last season. The 35-year-old has 348 career NHL goals and 284 assists (632 points) in 958 games. He has added 83 points (50G-33A) in 135 career playoff games.
He is still a solid contributor at the NHL level and provides an additional option with speed to the team’s middle six. Of course, Kreider has been a villain in Montreal ever since he injured Carey Price in Game 1 of the 2014 Eastern Conference final as a member of the New York Rangers. It will interesting to see how quickly Canadiens fans warm up to him as a member of the team.
The veteran has played with Canadiens head coach Martin St-Louis, and played under Jeff Gorton as a member of the Rangers.
He was also rumoured to be the target of Trevor Timmins in the 2009 NHL Draft, but the team selected Louis Leblanc instead. Kreider went to the Rangers at 19th overall.
