The Habs took a big step towards finalizing their roster as they announced that defencemen Karl Alzner and Xavier Ouellet plus forwards Matthew Peca, Phil Varone, and Dale Weise have been placed on waivers.
Of the group, Peca’s presence is likely the most notable as he spent the entirety of 2018-19 with Montreal. However, he was a healthy scratch for more than half the year as he suited up in just 39 games, recording ten points. There was considerable interest in him as a Group VI free agent in the 2018 offseason so while he underachieved last season, there’s a chance he gets picked up. If he doesn’t, all but $225,000 of his cap hit will be cleared out if he’s signed to the minors.
Alzner cleared waivers multiple times last season and suited up in just nine games with Montreal. With a $4.625 million cap hit, he’s a lock to clear which means the Canadiens will be carrying a $3.55 million cap hit while he’s with Laval.
Weise was in his first training camp with the team after being re-acquired last season. He cleared waivers while with Philadelphia last season and considering his price tag ($2.35 million) is rather hefty for a depth winger, it’s a safe bet to say he’ll go unclaimed. That will make his revised cap hit $1.275 million.
Ouellet, Laval’s captain, isn’t quite a lock to make it through with a few teams on the lookout for defensive depth. However, he did make it through twice last year (once on release waivers with Detroit and early in the year with the Canadiens) and if he makes it back to the Rocket, he’ll play a significant role on their back end. The Habs won’t be responsible for any lingering cap hit if he clears.
As for Varone, he has cleared waivers several times in the past but did spend more than half the season in the NHL last year with the Flyers so he’s not a sure bet to pass through either. If he makes it through, he’s expected to Laval’s top offensive weapon as while he hasn’t been a scorer in the NHL, he has been rather productive in the minors.
Montreal will find out about the fates of all five players on Friday.
Meanwhile, there are 26 healthy players remaining (15 forwards, 8 defencemen, and 3 goalies) at training camp with Paul Byron and Ryan Poehling rejoining the team at practice so there are still at least three cuts to be made. Meanwhile, Noah Juulsen, Michael McCarron, Gustav Olofsson, and Joel Teasdale are all currently injured.
