Canadiens signing Chris Kreider shows time heals all wounds

Chris Kreider. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Canadiens signing Chris Kreider shows time heals all wounds

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Sep 12, 2026 6:10 PM ET

A strong argument can be made that Chris Kreider has been one of the most hated rival players in the modern era of the Montreal Canadiens.

Another strong argument can be made that he is singularly responsible from preventing them and former superstar goalie Carey Price from potentially winning a Stanley Cup in 2014.

Now Kreider is going to be a central part of the Canadiens trying to win a Stanley Cup for themselves in 2026-27.

After having his contract terminated by the Anaheim Ducks earlier this week, Kreider signed a one-year deal with the Canadiens on Saturday afternoon.

It's a great move for the Canadiens — and a great example that time does in fact heal all wounds.

Chris Kreider is great addition for Montreal Canadiens

Kreider's deal is worth just $2.15 million for the season, making it a late-summer home run for a Canadiens team that needed another top-six winger to help round out their lineup.

Even though he is 35 years old, he is still a strong veteran presence who is coming off a 22-goal, 50-point season with the Ducks.

Les Canadiens s'entendent sur les termes d'un contrat d'une saison (2026-2027) avec l'attaquant Chris Kreider.

The Canadiens have agreed to terms on a one-year contract (2026-27) with forward Chris Kreider.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/7Hi5Dm83OP
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 12, 2026

If he even comes close to that level of production, he is a steal at that price, and he really helps out a young Canadiens team that looks ready to make a push for a run at the Stanley Cup.

From a hockey perspective, it makes a ton of sense. It made a ton of sense from the moment Kreider became available.

It is still not likely to be a positive move among the Montreal fan base, at least not until Kreider does something on the ice to endear himself to them.

The rivalry between the two goes back to the 2014 Eastern Conference Final when Kreider, then a member of the New York Rangers, injured Price in a Game 1 collision that Canadiens fans still view as a reckless, dirty play. The injury knocked Price, who was one of the best goalies in the world at the time, out for the remainder of the season. It was a series-changing injury, and one the Canadiens clearly suffered from.

The Rangers ended up winning that series in six games, before losing to the Los Angeles Kings in the Stanley Cup Final.

Price and the Canadiens eventually reached a Stanley Cup Final during the shortened 2020-21 season, losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Now Kreider has a chance to be the reason they get back and potentially win it.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on X @AGretz

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