Canadiens Should Pursue Kreider Despite the History

That history would obviously make a potential acquisition controversial. Kreider wouldn’t arrive in Montreal as a typical veteran addition. There would be fans who wouldn’t want him anywhere near the Canadiens simply because of his history with Price and the organization. But Kent Hughes’ job isn’t to construct a roster based on which opposing players Canadiens fans have liked over the years. His job is to make the team better, and Kreider could potentially do that.

Kreider Could Still Help the Canadiens

At this stage of his career, nobody should expect Kreider to arrive and become one of Montreal’s primary offensive weapons. That’s also not what the Canadiens would need from him. They already have Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov carrying much of the offensive responsibility. What Montreal could use is another experienced forward capable of adding secondary scoring, size and a strong net-front presence.

Kreider checks several of those boxes. He has now recorded at least 20 goals in eight consecutive seasons, showing remarkable consistency as a goal scorer even as he has gotten older. His ability around the net has always been one of his biggest strengths, and that could provide another dimension to Montreal’s forward group. There’s also something appealing about adding another veteran to a young Canadiens roster.

Montreal doesn’t need to completely change its identity or block younger players from receiving opportunities, but contending teams need depth. Injuries happen, young players struggle, and playoff series often require teams to win in different ways. Kreider wouldn’t need to be the answer to Montreal’s biggest needs. He would simply need to make the roster deeper.

The acquisition cost would obviously matter. Montreal shouldn’t sacrifice an important prospect or premium draft capital for an aging winger. However, if Kreider can be acquired relatively cheaply, Hughes should at least investigate the possibility.

Would Kreider Even Want to Play in Montreal?

That’s probably the more interesting question.

Canadiens fans have booed Kreider for years. He knows exactly how he is viewed in Montreal, and it’s difficult to imagine that joining the Canadiens has always been high on his wish list. There is also the broader question of whether an American veteran would want to move to Canada at this stage of his career.

If Kreider truly wants to return to the Eastern Conference and, more importantly, wants another opportunity to compete for the Stanley Cup, Montreal should at least enter the conversation. The Canadiens aren’t the rebuilding team they were a few seasons ago. They have developed into a legitimate contender with one of the league’s most exciting young cores. For a veteran chasing another deep playoff run, that matters.

Kreider might get one of the loudest mixed reactions imaginable the first time he steps onto the ice at the Bell Centre wearing a Canadiens jersey. But if he scores 20 goals, contributes in the playoffs and helps Montreal win games, those boos could disappear surprisingly quickly.

Nobody needs to forget what happened in 2014. The Canadiens simply shouldn’t allow something that happened more than a decade ago to prevent them from considering a move that could improve today’s team. It would be controversial. But if Chris Kreider can help the Canadiens chase a Stanley Cup, it’s a conversation worth having.