Kreider Adds Another Layer of Competition to Canadiens’ Forward Group – The Hockey Writers – Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens added another significant piece to their forward group over the weekend, signing veteran winger Chris Kreider. While much of the immediate attention will understandably be on what Kreider himself can bring to Montreal, his arrival also creates an interesting situation throughout the rest of the lineup.

Kreider gives the Canadiens another proven goal scorer, more experience and additional size up front. However, he also joins a forward group that was already becoming increasingly crowded. That means more competition at training camp and, eventually, a difficult question for Martin St. Louis and Kent Hughes: who becomes the odd man out?

Kreider Makes the Canadiens Even Deeper

Kreider is no longer expected to be the offensive force he was at his peak with the New York Rangers, but Montreal does not need him to be that player. He has scored at least 20 goals in eight consecutive seasons and brings an element the Canadiens can use throughout their lineup. Whether Kreider starts alongside some of Montreal’s offensive players or is used further down the lineup, St. Louis now has another legitimate scoring option.

The Canadiens already have Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov leading the way offensively. Behind them, players such as Alex Newhook, Phillip Danault, Josh Anderson, Jake Evans and Zachary Bolduc give Montreal several different options.

Now add Kreider to the equation. For a team hoping to make another deep playoff run, that type of depth is important. Injuries will happen over an 84-game season, and the Canadiens are now better positioned to deal with them without completely reshuffling their forward lines. But when everyone is healthy, there are only 12 forward spots available.

Training Camp Competition Just Got More Interesting

Kreider’s arrival should immediately increase the level of competition at Canadiens training camp. Montreal has reached the point in its rebuild where roster spots and important minutes should no longer simply be handed to players because of their potential. There are enough NHL-calibre options that performance can determine who plays and where.

Kirby Dach will be one of the most interesting players to watch. He enters the season needing to prove he can remain healthy and become a consistent contributor. With Kreider now in Montreal, the Canadiens have another established veteran capable of taking important minutes if Dach struggles.

Bolduc also has something to prove. He remains an intriguing young scoring option, but he has yet to establish himself as a major offensive contributor in Montreal. Kreider’s arrival could push him further down the lineup if he does not have a strong camp.

Oliver Kapanen should not be forgotten either. Scoring 22 goals as a rookie gave him a strong foundation, but the Canadiens’ increased depth means he will still need to earn his role. Even established players such as Alexandre Texier will have additional competition for minutes. For St. Louis, that is a good problem to have.

Who Becomes the Odd Man Out?

The biggest question is what Montreal does if everyone is healthy. Kreider was not brought in to sit in the press box, and the Canadiens’ established core is not going anywhere. That leaves several players competing for a limited number of spots throughout the bottom nine.

Dach may have the most at stake. With only one year remaining on his contract before unrestricted free agency, this is already an important season for his future in Montreal. The Canadiens having another veteran option only adds to that pressure. If Dach struggles early, his role could quickly decrease, and eventually, Montreal could consider moving him.

The Canadiens could eventually have to make a trade simply to create some breathing room. That does not necessarily have to happen immediately. Carrying an extra NHL-calibre forward is useful, especially considering injuries are inevitable. However, Kapanen and Texier are two players on the outside looking early on.

There are fewer guaranteed opportunities in Montreal than there were a couple of years ago. Kreider’s signing makes the Canadiens better on paper, but it also forces the rest of the forward group to compete. Young players will have to prove they deserve opportunities, while veterans will have to perform to keep theirs. Someone will eventually become the odd man out. For a Canadiens team with expectations of competing near the top of the Eastern Conference, having too many capable forwards is exactly the type of problem it should want.