The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward Chris Kreider to a one-year contract worth $2.15 million.

Kreider and the Anaheim Ducks recently agreed to terminate the final year of his contract. This agreement was made to clear cap space for the Ducks, who will need that space to sign restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier.

Kreider should provide the Canadiens with consistent goal scoring, as he has reached the 20-goal mark in each of the past eight seasons. However, his goal scoring has declined from his 52-goal season with the Rangers in 2021-22. Kreider scored 22 goals and added 28 assists in 75 games in his only season in Anaheim.

Kreider could fit in on the Canadiens' second line alongside Ivan Demidov, which could push either Oliver Kapanen or Alex Newhook from that line. Kirby Dach and Zach Bolduc also become less likely to compete for a spot in the top six, although the Kreider signing won't negatively impact all four of these players. If there is any question about 35-year-old Kreider keeping up with a youngster like Demidov, he was Leo Carlsson's most effective even-strength linemate last season (29 points, as per his Frozen Tools profile).

As for the power play, let's just say the Canadiens have more options now. The Habs finished with one of the league's better power plays in 2025-26 (23.1%), so changes aren't necessary. Kreider finished tied for third on the Ducks with 17 power-play points, and his ability to camp his 6-3, 232 lb. frame in front of the net and tip in goals has been a calling card for his game and could serve the Habs well. It's difficult to find an odd man out on PP1 among Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Lane Hutson, and Demidov, so Kreider seems more likely to bolster the second unit and could fill in on the first unit in the event of an injury.

Overall, Kreider should lose power-play time, which could cut into his scoring. Potentially lining up with a player like Demidov or even receiving a run on the top line should prevent his value from plummeting. However, this signing has the potential to help the Montreal Canadiens more than it would help your fantasy team.

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Players this helps, in order:

Demidov

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Players this hurts, in order:

Kreider

Kapanen

Newhook

Dach

📢 advertisement:

Bolduc

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