The Canadiens sign Chris Kreider, the Golden Knights extend Mark Stone’s contract, Mason McTavish hopes to reset with the Blues, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: The Canadiens signed left wing Chris Kreider to a one-year contract.

Montreal Canadiens sign winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).

Kreider, 35, became an unrestricted free agent last week after he and the Anaheim Ducks agreed to terminate the final season of his contract. His deal with the Canadiens is a $2.15 million base salary, with performance bonuses that could take him to $5.4 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m surprised Kreider signed with the Canadiens because he reportedly wanted to be closer to his family in the New York area. I expected him to sign with an American-based team, like the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, or Philadelphia Flyers.

Kreider’s ties with Canadiens hockey ops president Jeff Gorton, head coach Martin St. Louis, and director of sports medicine Jim Ramsay factored into his decision. It also suggests that Montreal could become a prime destination for stars who want to play for a potential Stanley Cup contender.

Some Canadiens fans might be uncomfortable with signing Kreider, given his accidental collision with goaltender Carey Price in the 2014 playoffs resulted in the knee injury that eventually shortened the Hall of Famer’s career. However, Price said last year that he doesn’t blame Kreider for the incident, and Canadiens fans will likely forgive him if he plays well this season.

Once again, Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes’ patience has paid off. Kreider is an affordable addition that doesn’t require giving up any roster players or prospects in return. He should be a solid, short-term solution to bolster their second-line depth, bringing size, scoring experience, leadership, and physicality.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: The Vegas Golden Knights signed right winger and team captain Mark Stone to a two-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $9 million. The deal also has a full no-movement clause.

Stone, 34, is in the final season of an eight-year contract with a $9.5 million AAV.

“I think it’s reflective of what we think of Mark, and how much Vegas means to Mark and his family,” general manager Kelly McCrimmon said. “It’s a peace of mind for Mark so it’s not hanging over him as the season starts. Same for the hockey club.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stone is among the longest-serving active players on the Golden Knights. He leads the club with 396 points since joining them in 2019. Despite being hampered by injuries since 2021-22, he led them to the Stanley Cup in 2023 and remains among the league’s best two-way forwards.

Given Stone’s age and injury history, that contract extension probably won’t age well. Nevertheless, the Golden Knights are comfortable taking that gamble, especially with the salary cap expected to rise rapidly in the coming years.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Lou Korac reports center Mason McTavish hopes to have a bounce-back performance with the St. Louis Blues after struggling through his final season with the Anaheim Ducks.

The Ducks traded the 24-year-old McTavish to the Blues this summer, leaving him with something to prove this season.

“Yeah, I think I have a chip on my shoulder, for sure,” McTavish said. “I’m not happy with the way things went in Anaheim. I mean I enjoyed my time there, it was awesome, guys were great, but at the same time, they traded me, and that’s something I’m passionate about and want to get better. I’m looking forward to doing that here.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McTavish is projected to be the Blues’ second-line center. If getting traded provides additional motivation to improve, it could put his career back on track and perhaps push the Blues into playoff contention this season.

TORONTO SUN: Lance Hornby reports the Maple Leafs invited defenseman Nick Blankenburg to training camp on a professional tryout offer.

Blankenburg, 28, was among the few notable players remaining in what was a thin free-agent market. The 5’9”, 177-pound blueliner split last season between the Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hornby believes Blankenburg will have a difficult time earning a roster spot when the Maple Leafs already have a comparable player in Emil Andrae, whom they acquired from the Flyers earlier this summer. However, a solid performance in training camp and preseason play could earn him a contract with another club.