Marc Dumont
It’s not the exact situation they wanted to be in at this point in the season, but the Montreal Canadiens could end up looking to waivers as an avenue to add warm bodies to the lineup to compensate for their never-ending list of injured players, which includes newcomer Patrik Laine.
The good news is that the Habs have a fairly healthy history of finding hidden gems on the waiver wire, including current starting goaltender, Samuel Montembeault.
As a reminder, the Habs will maintain the fifth-highest priority on the NHL‘s waiver-wire priority list regardless of whether they claim a player. The priority list will remain intact until November 1, at which point it will be dictated by the updated NHL standings.
ON TOPIC: The Waiver Wire Priority For Every NHL Team In 2024
NHL Players On Waivers, October 1, 2024
Anaheim Ducks: Carson Meyer.
Buffalo Sabres: Josh Dunne, Felix Sandstrom, Jack Rathbone, Brett Murray, Mason Jobst, Colton Poolman.
Calgary Flames: Ilya Solovyov.
Edmonton Oilers: Lane Pederson, Ben Gleason, Philip Kemp, Collin Delia.
Los Angeles Kings: Jacob Moverare.
Minnesota Wild: Reese Johnson.
New York Rangers: Louis Domingue, Anton Blidh, Brandon Scanlin, Casey Fitzgerald.
Seattle Kraken: Gustav Oloffson, Ales Stezka, Ben Meyers, Max McCormick, Brandon Biro.
Vancouver Canucks: Phillip Di Giuseppe, Jiri Patera, Nate Smith, Christian Wolanin.
Waiver Options For The Montreal Canadiens
With all due respect to those listed, there aren’t many available players on waivers that could move the needle for the Montreal Canadiens. However, a fairly interesting Pittsbugh Penguins player may end up hitting waivers in the next few days; forward Valterri Puustinen. Pittsburgh simply does not have enough roster spots available, but there does seem to be some potential left to tap in his case. Puustinen has a relatively impressive offensive tool kit, which includes great stick handling and high-end playmaking.
The 25-year-old led the AHL Penguins in scoring in 2022-23, with 24 goals and 35 assists in 72 games. He followed it up by scoring five goals and 15 assists in 52 NHL games last season, while being given very limited ice time. He’s not a game changing presence, as those types of players rarely land on the waiver wire, but he could add some scoring depth to a lineup that desperately needs it.
