বয়স 35-এর veteran forward ক্রিস ক্রাইডার, সপ্তাহের মধ্যে Ducks সাথে mutual contract terminationের পর, Montreal Canadiens এই সেরে kontraktion agreed to terms. সোর্সের মुतাবিক, kontraktion carrying 2.15 million dollar annual average value, কিন্তু bonus structure থাকতে পারে up to 5 million dollar next season যদি সে তার শর্তগুলো পূরণ করে। ক্রিস ক্রাইডার former New York Rangers teammate of Martin St. Louis, who is now the Canadiens' coach। 35 বছরの Kreider Ducks দ্বারা contract terminationের জন্য waiversে placement পেয়েছিল পिछले week। একটি স্টেটমেন্টে, 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. 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 is a veteran of 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 contract carried a $6.5 million AAV. Regarded as one of the best net-front presences 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.

The Canadiens are looking to take the next step after exiting their rebuild. Montreal made it to the 2026 Eastern Conference final, before losing to the eventual Stanley Cup champion, the Carolina Hurricanes.