Canadiens Sign Veteran Chris Kreider To A One-Year Contract

The top free agent in the NHL sphere has been signed to a contract. 

Forward Chris Kreider, who agreed to terminate his contract with the Anaheim Ducks this week, has found a new home in the Eastern Conference with the Atlantic Division's Montreal Canadiens. 

There was speculation whether Kreider would return to his hometown team, the Boston Bruins, but instead he'll be joining the newly-minted contenders, the Canadiens, led by Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky. 

The Canadiens announced that they'd signed Kreider to a one-year contract at $2.15 million AAV, with $3 million in performance bonuses attached.

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

Kreider will be leaving the West Coast for a team that put up a fight against former Eastern Conference juggernauts, the Carolina Hurricanes, who would go on to win the Stanley Cup in 2025-26. 

The Canadiens began their impressive run in the first round by vanquishing the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

Kreider has played the majority of his career with the New York Rangers up until his trade after the conclusion of the 2024-25.

That trade sent Kreider and a 4th-round pick to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Carey Terrance and a 3rd-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. 

 The veteran played 75 games with the Ducks last season, scoring 22 goals and 50 points, and will add another big-body on the team's power play as a net-front presence.