Chris Kreider stuns the NHL, signs with Montreal Canadiens
Photo credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
History is history, and the Montreal Canadiens signing Chris Kreider today has proven such.
Kreider, a longtime New York Ranger, is hated by many Canadiens fans for an incident in the 2014 NHL playoffs, where he collided with Carey Price after a divisive possible slash by Alexei Emelin.
The Canadiens released the following statement:
Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes announced on Saturday that the team has agreed to terms on a one-year contract (2026-27) with forward Chris Kreider.
Kreider played 75 games with the Anaheim Ducks in 2025-26, producing 50 points (22G, 28A) and serving 34 penalty minutes. The 35-year-old forward scored eight power play goals, ranking him second on the Ducks. Kreider, who recorded the 600th point of his NHL career on November 30, 2025, in Chicago, reached the 20-goal mark for an eighth straight season.
Kreider has taken part in 958 games and registered 632 points (348G, 284A) in the NHL with the New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks since making his debut in 2012-13. Since entering the League, Kreider ranks 15th in the NHL with 348 goals as well as 10th in power play goals, with 124. Kreider, a native of Boxford, MA, set career highs with 52 goals (including 26 on the powerplay) and 77 points in 2021-22.
Kreider was selected by the Rangers in the first round (19th overall) at the 2009 NHL Draft.
Kreider played 75 games with the Anaheim Ducks in 2025-26, producing 50 points (22G, 28A) and serving 34 penalty minutes. The 35-year-old forward scored eight power play goals, ranking him second on the Ducks. Kreider, who recorded the 600th point of his NHL career on November 30, 2025, in Chicago, reached the 20-goal mark for an eighth straight season.
Kreider has taken part in 958 games and registered 632 points (348G, 284A) in the NHL with the New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks since making his debut in 2012-13. Since entering the League, Kreider ranks 15th in the NHL with 348 goals as well as 10th in power play goals, with 124. Kreider, a native of Boxford, MA, set career highs with 52 goals (including 26 on the powerplay) and 77 points in 2021-22.
Kreider was selected by the Rangers in the first round (19th overall) at the 2009 NHL Draft.
Kreider's base salary is $2.15 million, with the possibility of an additional $3 million in bonuses.
Fan reactions are unsurprisingly mixed, with some fans already showing scrutiny to management:
Despite the history, Kreider makes the Canadiens better
It'll take some fans time to get over the history of Kreider with the Canadiens, but its undeniable that he makes the team better. He's scored 20 goals every season for nearly a decade, and will be given one of his most dynamic linemates in years with Ivan Demidov.
For a team that can already outpower most offensively, the Canadiens just keep getting better.
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