Kreider's new deal has a chance to turn into $5 million with performance incentives. Anaheim needed to clear cap space after being forced to match Leo Carlsson's offer sheet ($18 million AAV) and waiving Kreider "accomplishes that," according to general manager Pat Verbeek.
The 35-year-old veteran will play for head coach Martin St. Louis, who was Kreider's former teammate when they were both members of the New York Rangers.
Kreider has scored at least 20 goals in each of the past eight seasons, exactly 22 in back-to-back years. He'll be heading into his 15th season after spending the first 13 with the Rangers and last year with the Ducks.
He needs two more goals to reach 350 for his career and 16 more assists to reach 300. Kreider is also 42 games away from hitting the 1,000 mark. That shouldn't be a problem, considering he has never played in fewer than 50 games in a season besides his rookie (2012-2013).
The former 19th overall pick in the 2009 NHL Draft now heads to a Canadiens team looking to make their Stanley Cup push after losing in five games to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals.