Credit: @john.humphreys on Facebook
The Montreal Canadiens have signed Chris Kreider to a one-year deal. The 35-year-old came on as a member of the Anaheim Ducks when he and the team mutually agreed to end the year that was already his sixth with the Ducks.
Experience Joins a Rising Group
Kreider brings a wealth of recent playoff experience and production to his credits. He had 22 goals and 50 points in 75 games with Anaheim last season, continuing his streak of 10 straight years of 20 goals. He has spent the majority of his career in the NHL with the New York Rangers and has built up solid offensive numbers behind the net.
It adds size, speed, and playoff experience to a relatively inexperienced forward group for a Canadiens team that was eliminated by the Eastern Conference Final last spring. The transaction is supposed to be short-term, leaving plenty of room for flexibility as well as an instant wing upgrade for Montreal.
Kreider had a connection to coach Martin St. Louis, and he shared several seasons with the coach in New York, which made it easy to move the signing to fruition.
A Calculated Boost
Kreider is more than just a point producer at this point in his career. He has a work ethic and playoff know-how. The Canadiens are still working toward becoming a genuine contender and add a player who can be effective on big plays without committing to a long-term contract.
Kreider will have to get up to speed with a team already high on expectations when training camp starts. It takes a year to make a difference. In Montreal, that makes it another successful acquisition in a series of moves to prepare them for a next step.
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