Kreider or Killorn: The Decision That Sent the American to Montreal

Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton were set to begin training camp without having added a single NHL-caliber player to their roster… until the day the Ducks placed Chris Kreider on waivers.

We know how it went from there: several teams expressed interest in Kreider, but his agent let just about every NHL team know that his client wouldn't be joining them.

Kreider had a list of three or four teams in mind—that's it.

The former Ducks and Rangers player wasn't claimed off waivers; he turned down the $4 million he was promised (under contract) and signed a deal worth $2.15 million plus $3.25 million in potential bonuses with the Habs. Bonuses deferrable to the 2027–28 season…

And the Ducks were then able to offer Cutter Gauthier $13.5 million per season.

Marco D'Amico reports this morning that the Ducks had two options on the table to free up salary cap space: Chris Kreider and Alex Killorn, two players whose cap hits were $6.5 million (Kreider) and $6.25 million (Killorn).

Since Pat Verbeek has known Killorn since his days in Tampa Bay and Killorn is one of the best leaders in the locker room, Kreider was the logical choice.

According to my sources in Anaheim, it was a choice between Kreider and Killorn.

Verbeek has known Killorn since his time in Tampa, and Killorn is one of his trusted guys in the locker room.

Kreider was the logical choice. No issues in the locker room or with chemistry.

Carlsson and Sennecke really liked him. https://t.co/PgxwTotBaH

— Marco D'Amico (@mndamico) September 18, 2026

We don't know if…

1. Alex Killorn would have agreed to break his contract like Kreider did.

Killorn will earn $6.25 million in actual pay this season before becoming a free agent.

2. Killorn would have agreed to join the Canadiens.

3. Killorn still has as much to offer as Kreider. Killorn is 37 years old and scored only 33 points last season. Kreider is two years younger and scored 50 points in 2025–26.

That said, I don't think Killorn could have kept up with Suzuki and Caufield on the top line.

Whatever. The Canadiens now have Chris Kreider on their roster for one season, and the Ducks still have Alex Killorn.

We'll see who has the better season and helps his team make it deep into the playoffs.

I think I prefer Kreider to Killorn.