The Montreal Canadiens on Saturday afternoon announced they signed Chris Kreider to a one-year deal with an average annual value of $2.15 million.
Les Canadiens s’entendent sur les termes d’un contrat d’une saison (2026-2027) avec l’attaquant Chris Kreider.
The Canadiens have agreed to terms on a one-year contract (2026-27) with forward Chris Kreider.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/7Hi5Dm83OP
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 12, 2026
NHL Rumors: Where Could Chris Kreider End Up? Seven Potential Destinations
Kreider will earn a $2.15 million AAV, and with bonuses on a 35-year-old contract, he could earn an additional $3 million, for a total AAV of $5.15 million.
AAV here is $2.15M
Bonuses can bring up to $3M more https://t.co/I03IAy4OSy
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 12, 2026
As everyone recalls, the Anaheim Ducks terminated Chris Kreider’s contract last Wednesday, September 9th, and he cleared waivers on September 10th. He walked away from $4 million in salary after getting his $1 million signing bonus as the Anaheim Ducks cleared $6.5 million in cap space.
As NHLRumors.com documented, Kreider wanted to come East. Many teams were interested in Kreider’s services, including the Buffalo Sabres, Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, and Montreal Canadiens.
NHL Rumors: Any Movement on the Zachary Bolduc and Arber Xehkaj Contracts
Many wondered whether Kreider was willing to play in Canada, since the Canadiens made the most sense given his size and skating ability. The Canadiens were missing a big, physical presence on their second line, and he could even slot down in the lineup. Last season with the Ducks, Kreider recorded 50 points (22 goals and 28 assists), including eight power-play goals. In addition, Kreider had seven points in 12 playoff games for the Ducks.
Not to mention, Kreider is a perfect power-play guy with his net-front presence. He can help anyone on the roster get better.
Ne sous-estimons surtout pas l’impact qu’aura l’arrivée de Chris Kreider sur Juraj Slafkovsky.
Chris Kreider a longtemps été l’un des meilleurs attaquants de puissance de la LNH. Échec-avant, jeu devant le filet, mises en échec efficaces, protection de rondelle, couper vers le… pic.twitter.com/WnylyJgF4R
— Anthony Martineau (@Antho_Martineau) September 12, 2026
So it made sense that the Canadiens were interested. However, the big selling point was his relationship with Executive Vice President Jeff Gorton and head coach Martin St. Louis. Both were members of the New York Rangers organization when Kreider was there. Gorton was in management, and St. Louis was his teammate.
Chris Kreider wanted to head East, but also wanted to go to a winning environment.
Giving the relationship with Gorton/MSL/Ramsay, it made sense in practice.
At a maximum of $5.15M, that’s solid value for the Habs and it gives him a shot with one of the better teams in the…
— Marco D’Amico (@mndamico) September 12, 2026
NHL Rumors: Montreal Canadiens, and the Detroit Red Wings
While Kreider and the Canadiens have history, given what happened during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, this is a perfect add. EVP Jeff Gorton was not happy with how his team went out in the playoffs last year. So he hopes Kreider can help his team make another deep run.
?Night Cap Recap ?
Chris Kreider Heads to Montreal
The Heel Becomes the Babyface
Excellent addition for the Canadiens #gohabsgo @TSN690 pic.twitter.com/Zcpr9fyiLv
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) September 12, 2026
With Chris Kreider signed, the focus now turns to Arber Xhekaj and Zachary Bolduc and to when the Montreal Canadiens will sign them.
We had to restart our X account. Please follow @MyNHLRumorsX
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? Rumor roundups and hot topics from around the league. We’re also posting some stuff on Instagram.
If you love our reporting, choose NHLrumors.com as a preferred source on Google.
