The Montreal Canadiens signed veteran forward Chris Kreider to a one-year contract worth US$2.15 million with an additional US$3.125 million in possible performance bonuses, according to Puckpedia data reported by The Gazette. General manager Ken Hughes acquired the 35-year-old winger without giving up any assets after the Anaheim Ducks placed him on waivers for contract termination with his permission.
Contract Terms and Salary Cap Impact
Kreider entered free agency after the Anaheim Ducks terminated the final year of his contract, which carried a US$6.5 million cap hit. According to The Gazette, Anaheim needed salary cap relief after matching the Philadelphia Flyers’ five-year, US$90-million offer sheet for 21-year-old centre Leo Carlsson, an agreement carrying an annual cap hit of US$18 million. Under his new deal with Montreal, Kreider will earn a US$2.15 million base salary with up to US$3.125 million in performance bonuses, leaving the Canadiens US$7.63 million under the NHL salary cap, per reporting from The Gazette and Elliotte Friedman via Hockey Patrol.
Career Statistics and Roster Fit
Kreider recorded 22 goals and 28 assists for 50 points across 75 games during the recent season with Anaheim. According to The Gazette and Heavy.com, that offensive output would have ranked sixth on the Canadiens roster behind Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Ivan Demidov. Over the last five seasons, Kreider has scored 171 goals—ranking 22nd in the NHL—and his 66 power-play goals during that span rank seventh in the league, bolstered by a 52-goal campaign with the New York Rangers in 2021-22.
Did you know? Chris Kreider spent the first 13 seasons of his career with the New York Rangers after being selected 19th overall in the 2009 NHL Draft, before playing his most recent season with the Anaheim Ducks, according to historical data cited by The Gazette.
Existing Ties to Montreal Management
Several personal and professional connections facilitated Kreider’s move to Montreal after 14 seasons in the NHL. According to The Gazette, Canadiens president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton served as general manager of the Rangers for six seasons during Kreider’s tenure in New York. Head coach Martin St. Louis was Kreider’s teammate during the final two seasons of his playing career, and Jim Ramsay, the Canadiens’ head athletic therapist, spent more than 28 years with the Rangers before joining Montreal three years ago.
Addressing Past History in Montreal
Supporters of the Canadiens typically recall Kreider for his collision with Carey Price during Game 1 of the 2014 Eastern Conference final while wearing a Rangers sweater, an incident that sidelined the goaltender with a right knee injury and ultimately contributed to the conclusion of his playing days. However, in an interview with The Gazette last year, Price stated that he harbors no personal animosity toward Kreider. “I don’t harbour any animosity towards him,” Price said. “It was just a play and it was the playoffs and it was kind of a quick play. I definitely don’t harbour any ill will towards him.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the financial terms of Chris Kreider’s contract with the Canadiens?
According to Puckpedia and Hockey Patrol, Kreider signed a one-year contract with a base salary of US$2.15 million and up to US$3 million in possible additional bonuses, while Puckpedia states US$3.125 million in possible performance bonuses.
Why did the Anaheim Ducks terminate Chris Kreider’s previous contract?
According to The Gazette, the Ducks couldn’t afford to keep Kreider for salary-cap reasons after matching an offer sheet for centre Leo Carlsson, which carried an annual cap hit of US$18 million.
Where is Kreider expected to play in the Canadiens lineup?
According to reporting from The Gazette, Kreider will likely play on the second line with the 20-year-old Demidov.
Does Kreider have prior relationships with Montreal’s coaching staff?
Yes. According to The Gazette, Canadiens president Jeff Gorton previously managed Kreider in New York, head coach Martin St. Louis was his former teammate, and head athletic therapist Jim Ramsay spent decades with the Rangers organization.
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