Chris Kreider is still getting his bearings with the Canadiens, and Montreal’s post-win ritual has already given fans two funny little reminders of that.
After yesterday’s game at the Bell Centre, Kreider once again seemed a step behind when Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky tried to pull him into the team’s victory tradition. The newcomer looked like he was still trying to figure out the whole setup, and the result was another easy laugh for everyone watching.
According to Pierre Houde on RDS, Caufield even seemed to toss out this line before heading off the ice:
“We're going to have to give him a few lessons. I think he needs to work on that.”
The exchange was likely caught by the microphones near the players’ bench, and it fit the moment perfectly. It also added to the sense that Kreider is already starting to mesh with his new teammates, even if the ritual itself is still a work in progress for him.
This wasn’t the first time, either. After his first game with Montreal, Kreider had already looked a little unsure during the same celebration. With Kirby Dach out of the lineup, he was the fourth player in the circle and didn’t seem completely certain where he belonged.
Little scenes like that are part of the fun this time of year, especially with the regular season only days away. Kreider will get more chances to learn the routine before Montreal opens next Tuesday.
And there was one more box he checked last night: he scored his first goal with the Canadiens, unofficially at least.
In Other News...
Canadiens Goalie Situation Suddenly Feels Unsettled Before The Opener
The Canadiens goaltending picture has taken on a little more uncertainty on the eve of the opener, with practice offering a contrast that was hard to miss. Samuel Montembeault looked sharp, while Jakub Dobes drew attention for appearing more nonchalant and slow to recover after goals, which stood out as unusual enough to raise questions about where he is physically and where the crease battle stands.
There still has been no official word on Dobes condition, and Montreal has not announced a starter for the season opener against Toronto. For a team that has spent camp sorting out its depth and roles, the silence around the position only adds to the sense that the final answer may not be settled just yet. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Are Counting On Chris Kreider In A Big Way
Chris Kreider arrives in Montreal with the kind of rsum and experience that can change the tone of a lineup quickly. After stops with the Rangers and Ducks, he is set to open the season with the Canadiens on a one-year deal, and his presence immediately gives the club a veteran edge it has been missing. At 34, he is the oldest player on the roster, and he also comes in with a familiar face behind the bench in Martin St. Louis, his former teammate.
For a team trying to keep moving forward, Kreider represents more than just another name added in the summer. The Canadiens are counting on him to settle in fast and help drive play in a prominent role, which puts a spotlight on how quickly he adapts to a new city, a new system and a new set of expectations. Montreal does not have much time to wait on that transition, and his start will be watched closely from the outset. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Fans Have Another Reason To Love The Noah Dobson Trade
Kent Hughes blockbuster deal for Noah Dobson already gave the Canadiens a bona fide top right-shot defenseman, and the price only looks more reasonable as time passes. Montreal sent Emil Heineman and two 2025 first-round picks to the Islanders for Dobson, who is coming off a 47-point season in 80 games and is signed through 2033 at a $9.5 million annual cap hit. For a team trying to keep building around a young core, locking in a player with that kind of role and term is the sort of move that can shape the roster for years.
There is also a draft-side layer to the trade that makes it feel even better for Montreal. The Canadiens used one of their own 2025 picks on Alexander Zharovsky at 34th overall, and he has since been ranked 11th in Corey Pronmans re-ranking of the class. In other words, Montreal may have come out of the deal not only with Dobson, but with a prospect who is tracking higher than some of the players the Islanders selected with the picks they received. [Read more 🡒]