Chris Kreider Lands One-Year Contract With Montreal Canadiens

Chris Kreider has agreed to a one-year deal with the Montreal Canadiens carrying a $2.15 million average annual value after leaving the Anaheim Ducks.

The Montreal Canadiens announced the signing of veteran forward Chris Kreider to a one-year contract on Saturday. According to ESPN sources, the agreement carries a $2.15 million average annual value but includes a bonus structure that could increase the total payout to over $5 million next season if specific conditions are met. The 35-year-old joins the Canadiens after the Anaheim Ducks placed him on waivers for the purpose of contract termination earlier in the week.

Kreider arrives in Montreal with 348 goals and 632 points across 958 career NHL games. Last season, the forward recorded 50 points, including 22 goals, in 75 regular-season appearances before adding seven points in 12 playoff games. He previously had one year remaining on a seven-year, $45.5 million contract originally signed with the New York Rangers, which carried a $6.5 million AAV.

Anaheim general manager Pat Verbeek stated the termination was necessary to create salary cap flexibility. The Ducks recently matched an $18 million per year offer sheet for Leo Carlsson and face an upcoming negotiation for Cutter Gauthier, who led the team in scoring last season. By moving Kreider, the Ducks clear space following a season where they reached the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

The signing reunites Kreider with Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis, his former teammate in New York. Montreal enters the upcoming season looking to build on a 2026 Eastern Conference Final appearance, where they were eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes. Kreider has reached the 20-goal mark in 11 of his 14 professional seasons.