NHL insider Pierre LeBrun revealed that Kreider’s decision came down to three teams, but was in favor of going to the Canadiens due to to desiring a reunion with former Blueshirts teammate Martin St. Louis \u2014 who is now Montreal’s head coach. <\/p>\n
Les Canadiens s’entendent sur les termes d’un contrat d’une saison (2026-2027) avec l’attaquant Chris Kreider.<\/p>\n
The Canadiens have agreed to terms on a one-year contract (2026-27) with forward Chris Kreider.#GoHabsGo<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/7Hi5Dm83OP<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Canadiens Montr\u00e9al (@CanadiensMTL) September 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n President of Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton was also one of the Rangers\u2019 general managers during Kreider\u2019s career in New York.<\/p>\n This development comes after the Anaheim Ducks waived Kreider, who is 35 and initially had a cap hit of $6.5 million for the upcoming season, earlier in the week with reports circulating Kreider wanted to return to the East Coast.<\/p>\n Kreider and St. Louis were teammates for both of Kreider\u2019s second and third seasons with the Blueshirts, as St. Louis arrived at the trade deadline in 2013-14 and spent his final NHL season with the Rangers in 2014-15.<\/p>\n Regarded as one of the best net-front players in the league, Kreider joins the Canadiens’ roster following an incident in the 2014 Eastern Conference final. On a breakaway, Kreider had collided with Montreal goalie Carey Price, who missed the remainder of the series due to a knee injury.<\/p>\n The Rangers then advanced to the Stanley Cup Final.<\/p>\n Kreider’s career is storied with Rangers history<\/a>. He was originally drafted by the Blueshirts <\/a>with the No. 19 overall selection in the 2009 NHL Draft and ranked seventh in Rangers history in games played, third in goals, tied for first in power-play goals (116) and 10th in points. <\/p>\n