‘So far, so good’: Chris Kreider patiently adjusts to life with Canadiens

BROSSARD — Phillip Danault knows how Chris Kreider must be feeling.

Danault rejoined the Canadiens in a trade from the Los Angeles Kings last December and remembers initially feeling “overwhelmed” under coach Martin St. Louis, who introduced concepts and details he had never experienced before.

His advice to Kreider as he works through those same adjustments? Be patient.

“There’s so much going on, and we change things every game, too, so you have to know the basics and also learn something new every single game,” Danault said Monday after practice at the CN Sports Complex.

“It’s very overwhelming when you first come in, but once you get it, it’s the best feeling.”

Kreider signed a one-year, US$2.15-million contract (with up to $3.25 million in bonuses) with the Canadiens on Sept. 12, days after the Anaheim Ducks bought out his contract amid salary-cap constraints, which arose after the Ducks matched Philadelphia’s five-year, $90-million offer sheet to forward Leo Carlsson.

The chance to work with St. Louis, a friend and former New York Rangers teammate, was a key factor in Kreider choosing Montreal over several other suitors — even though Canadiens fans have relentlessly booed him for crashing into and injuring Carey Price in Game 1 of the 2014 Eastern Conference final.

Kreider was the only significant addition to a largely unchanged roster entering the season, despite management’s well-known desire to bolster Montreal’s top-six forward group.

It’s early, but the six-foot-three, 232-pound power forward is still looking to make an impact.

Kreider, who has scored at least 20 goals in each of his past eight seasons, has one goal and three assists through eight games in 2026-27, including five straight contests without a point.

The 35-year-old American began the campaign on Montreal’s top line alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, but Juraj Slafkovsky has since reclaimed that spot. Kreider also saw time on the Canadiens’ first power-play unit following Ivan Demidov’s injury, until St. Louis replaced him with Zachary Bolduc in Saturday’s 4-3 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres.

Among regular Canadiens forwards this season, only Kirby Dach ranks behind Kreider in expected goals, according to the analytics website MoneyPuck.com. But some aspects of Kreider’s game go unnoticed, including his net-front presence and physical edge. For example, he ranks second among Canadiens forwards with 14 hits this season.

“Any time you’re in a new system, have a new coaching staff, (it’s about) just getting on the same page,” Kreider said. “It’s not a different language, but maybe it’s slightly a different vernacular, right? Everyone’s got different terms, different things they’re trying to do, so it takes a little bit of time to just do those things without thinking and have confident intuition.

“So far so good, a bit of a whirlwind, but just trying to get more and more comfortable every day.”

St. Louis also used the expression “so far, so good” when asked about Kreider’s adjustment, noting that his speed, physicality and direct play style mesh well with Josh Anderson and Alex Newhook on the Canadiens’ current second line.

“He’s figured out how we want to play a little bit, and I think there’s probably less hesitation, more anticipation in his game,” St. Louis said. “That line’s been really good.”

Canadiens defenceman Kaiden Guhle added that Kreider’s team-high 966 career NHL games — over which he has tallied 349 goals and 287 assists — make his experience priceless.

“He’s been great, (adding) a little bit of age, which is good,” Guhle said with a smirk. “He’s been around the league for a long time, almost a 1,000 games, and I think just a little maturity and another voice, another leader in the room.

“It’s been awesome to have him on the ice. He brings speed, and that net-front presence is where he’s made his money.”

DOG-AND-PONY SHOW

Kreider is expected to play in his fourth NHL outdoor game when the Canadiens visit the Winnipeg Jets for the Heritage Classic on Sunday at Princess Auto Stadium.

The novelty appears to have worn off.

“It’s only enjoyable if you win,” Kreider said. “It’s a dog-and-pony show, and then if you lose it’s kind of even more of a letdown. So two points, important to win the hockey game.”

DOG ON A BONE

Kreider wasn’t the only player to use a dog-related analogy. As the Canadiens prepared to host the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night, Guhle had this to say about Macklin Celebrini’s skill set.

“He’s a dog on a bone,” Guhle said. “He’s always trying to win battles and trying to get in the corners. He’s not just a perimeter player.”

Celebrini, named San Jose’s captain ahead of this season, had three goals and eight assists through six games heading into Monday night’s matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 20-year-old centre recorded seven points in two wins over the Canadiens last season.

“He’s had a lot of success against us,” Guhle said. “So try and maybe stop that tomorrow, and we’ve got a better chance.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2026.

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press