Ten years ago, the average Montreal Canadiens fan would have rolled his eyes at you if you had dared to say that Chris Kreider would become a Bleu-Blue-Rouge in the future. Yet here we are. The Canadiens have officially signed the veteran power forward to a one-year deal, delivering one of the most surprising plot-twist moments of the NHL offseason. Hockey has a funny way of spinning the script, and this latest move proves that in professional sports, time really does heal all wounds, or at least turns old rivalries into business decisions.
To understand the extent of the wild dynamics of this signing, one must go back to 2014. Kreider was seen in Montreal as public enemy number one for years after the infamous collision with beloved goaltender Carey Price in the Eastern Conference Final. From that moment on, it was years of heated debate, side-eye, and boos the next time Kreider touched the puck in Quebec. For the Montreal faithful, holding onto that grudge felt like a sacred duty.
Now, in the present day, the atmosphere is entirely different. The 35-year-old winger, who had spent some time with the Anaheim Ducks, was seeking a new place, and Montreal was seeking a veteran, proven presence who could add muscle, goal-scoring experience and veteran insight as a net front presence. Kreider, a playmaker and clutch playoff performer with more than 300 career goals in the National Hockey League, adds a physical dimension to a young, developing Canadiens roster looking to move further in the playoffs.
It’s a genius bet to make for the front office, considering the fact that it’s being made on a low-risk, high-upside contract worth $2.15 million. Kreider is given a chance to prove himself in one of the most fervent hockey markets in the world, and the Habs are able to acquire a proven leader without adding too many heads to the salary cap burden. It’s useful, efficient, and adds an extra bit of grit to the team right where they need it.
It takes a game or two for long-time fans to chew through seeing him in a Montreal uniform. But when it comes to turning frowns into smiles, there’s nothing like turning the tide of the game with a big goal when everyone is most in need. History has come to an end with the closure of old enmities, and a new chapter is about to unfold in the Beacon of Sight.
About the Author
