The Montreal Canadiens added Chris Kreider to their lineup, signing the 35-year-old to a one-year, $2.15-million contract.
The Montreal Canadiens have signed left winger Chris Kreider to a one-year contract, the team announced on Saturday.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that this new deal with the Habs costs $2.15 million, with the opportunity for bonuses to add $3 million on top of his base salary.
Kreider, 35, signs this contract with Montreal after his previous contract was mutually terminated with the Anaheim Ducks, making him a UFA on Thursday. That previous deal was a seven-year agreement with a $6.5-million salary cap hit.
Though the final year of his contract fell through with the Ducks, he's coming off a great season. Kreider scored 22 goals and 50 points, finishing sixth on Anaheim in scoring and fourth in goals. He also averaged 17:03 of ice time in 75 games last year.
Kreider is going into his 15th NHL season, having played 958 regular-season games in his career.
He was also solid for the Ducks in the post-season. In Anaheim's 12 playoff games, Kreider scored two goals and seven points.
He's been a post-season presence in the past, playing a total of 135 games and providing 50 goals and 83 points.
Kreider joins the Canadiens' payroll as one of the lower-paid forwards on the team. His $2.15-million cap hit ranks 10th among Montreal's forwards, with RFA Zack Bolduc still requiring a new contract before the start of the 2026-27 season.
After this acquisition, the Canadiens have a little over $7.5 million remaining in salary cap space. That space will need to be used to re-sign Bolduc, as well as defenseman Arber Xhekaj.
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