The 35-year-old forward had his contract terminated by the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday, one day after he was placed on unconditional waivers and went unclaimed. He had one season remaining on the seven-year, $45.5 million contract ($6.5 million average annual value) he signed with the New York Rangers on Feb. 24, 2020.
Kreider had 50 points (22 goals, 28 assists) in 75 regular-season games and seven points (two goals, five assists) in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games last season, his first with the Ducks after being traded by the Rangers for forward prospect Carey Terrance and a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft on June 11, 2025.
In 14 NHL seasons with New York and Anaheim, Kreider has 632 points (348 goals, 284 assists) in 958 regular-season games and 83 points (50 goals, 33 assists) in 135 playoff games.
He has scored at least 20 goals 11 times, including a career-best 52 in 2021-22, tied with Adam Graves for second-most in a season for the Rangers behind the 54 by Jaromir Jagr in 2005-06.
Kreider joins a Canadiens team which finished third in the Atlantic Division last season (48-24-10) and advanced to the Eastern Conference Final before losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in five games.
