Chris Kreider Signs Canadiens Contract After NHL Rumors Linked Him to New York-Area Teams

Chris Kreider is heading to a former Eastern Conference rival after his release from the Anaheim Ducks.

The Montreal Canadiens have signed Kreider to a one-year contract, the club announced Saturday.

The contract is worth $2.15 million with up to $3 million in bonuses, per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Kreider was deciding between three teams before signing with the Canadiens, per TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

The move reunites Kreider with Canadiens president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton, who served six seasons as the New York Rangers' general manager during Kreider's tenure with the team.

Kreider became an unrestricted free agent after clearing waivers Thursday following his release by the Ducks.

Friedman previously reported Kreider had approved the move and wanted to play somewhere closer to the New York area.

Kreider was routinely booed while playing in Montreal during his Rangers career because of his collision with former Canadiens goaltender Carey Price during the 2014 Eastern Conference final.

Price suffered a knee injury on the play. The Canadiens went on to lose the series, and Price eventually retired due to issues stemming from multiple knee injuries.

Kreider spent the first 13 seasons of his NHL career with the Rangers before he was traded to the Ducks last offseason.

He went on to post 50 points (22 goals, 28 assists) in 75 games while helping Anaheim make it to the second round of the playoffs.

Kreider had one year and a $6.5 million cap hit remaining on his contract when it was terminated by the Ducks.

Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said in a statement the move had been made before the franchise "needed to create salary cap flexibility."

The Ducks are negotiating a new contract with Cutter Gauthier, who is reportedly seeking more than $13 million per year, after already matching a Philadelphia Flyers offer sheet to pay Leo Carlsson $18 million in annual average salary.

Anaheim will now gain cap space while Kreider will look to ingratiate himself with Canadiens fans by adding some scoring depth to a team looking to build on last year's run to the conference finals.

Kreider could potentially look to slot in either on Nick Suzuki's top line or opposite Ivan Demidov on the second as he prepares to open the season with his new team Sept. 29 at the Toronto Maple Leafs.