Chris Kreider signed with the Montreal Canadiens for one year, the team announced Saturday.
According to sources, the contract has a $2.15 million average annual value and a bonus structure that could pay him as much as $5 million next season if he meets each of the conditions.
Kreider was a former New York Rangers teammate of Martin St. Louis, who is now the Canadiens' coach.
Kreider, 35, was placed on waivers by the Anaheim Ducks last week as both sides mutually terminated his contract. In a statement, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek thanked Kreider for his professionalism throughout the process.
"Our rationale here is straightforward: We needed to create salary cap flexibility, and this accomplishes that," Verbeek said.
The Ducks were forced to match an offer sheet for Leo Carlsson earlier this offseason, paying him $18 million per season -- now the third-highest salary in the NHL. Another ascending forward, Cutter Gauthier, is also due for a new contract. Gauthier led the Ducks last season in goals and points. Anaheim reached the playoffs for the first time since 2018 and upset the Edmonton Oilers in the first round.
Kreider has played 958 games in the NHL, mostly with the Rangers. He had one season remaining on the seven-year, $45.5 million contract he had originally signed in New York. That deal carried a $6.5 million AAV.
Regarded as one of the best net-front players in the league, Kreider has scored at least 20 goals in 11 of his 14 seasons. He scored 50 points, including 22 goals, in 75 games last season, then another seven points, with two goals, in 12 playoff games.
Kreider had previously been a villain to Canadiens fans since an incident in the 2014 Eastern Conference final. On a breakaway, Kreider collided with Montreal goaltender Carey Price, who missed the remainder of the series because of a knee injury. The Rangers then advanced to the Stanley Cup Final.
The Canadiens are looking to take the next step after completing their rebuild. Montreal made it to the 2026 Eastern Conference final before losing to the Carolina Hurricanes, who went on to win the Stanley Cup.
