Canadiens sign Chris Kreider to one-year contract

The Montreal Canadiens announced Saturday they signed forward Chris Kreider to a one-year contract. According to PuckPedia, the deal is worth $2.15 million.

Earlier this week, the Anaheim Ducks placed Kreider on waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract. He was not claimed on waivers, which made him an unrestricted free agent. He had one year left with an average annual value (AAV) of $6.5 million.

According to TSN hockey insider Pierre LeBrun, Kreider had three teams to choose from, but he decided to sign with the Canadiens because he has a “comfort level” with Montreal head coach Martin St. Louis, as well as a history with president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton.

In 2025-26, Kreider had 22 goals and 28 assists for 50 points in 75 games with the Ducks. He finished second on the team with eight power-play goals, and reached the 20-goal mark for an eighth straight season.

The deal raised some eyebrows on social media as Kreider has been one of the most booed athletes in modern Montreal sports history after he injured former Canadiens’ goaltender Carey Price during the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2014.

Through 14 NHL seasons, Kreider, a native of Boxford, Mass., has 348 goals and 284 assists for 632 points in 958 career regular-season games with the Ducks and New York Rangers.

His best season came in 2021-22, when as a member of the Rangers, he scored 52 goals and finished with 77 points, both career highs. His 52 goals were third in the NHL that season.

He was selected by the Rangers with the No. 19 pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He was acquired by the Ducks after the 2024-25 season, with New York getting forward prospect Carey Terrance in return.