Updated NHL Waivers Priority Puts Canadiens In Good Position

As we hit the final month before the NHL Trade Deadline, the updated priority order for waiver could help the Montreal Canadiens snatch up a player heading into this unique trade period.

Due to finishing the 2021-2022 season in last place, the Canadiens had the advantage of having the highest priority on the waiver wire leading up to the start of the season.

However, due to the strong play of their youngsters, the Canadiens no longer have that priority, due to not being last in the NHL Standings. Since November 1, the NHL waiver priority of the NHL has been contingent on current-day NHL standings, per the NHL‘s collective bargaining agreement:

“In the event that more than one Club makes a claim for such Player, he shall: (i) be transferred to the claiming Club having earned the lowest percentage of possible points in the League standing at the time of the request for Waivers, or (ii) if Waivers are requested outside the Regular Season, or the successful Waiver claim is made (i.e., the date the Player would be transferred to a successful claiming Club per this Section), before November 1st then the priority shall be determined by the final standing in the League’s Regular Season schedule in the preceding Regular Season.”

Currently, the Columbus Blue Jackets have the first priority in the waiver wire, followed by the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks.

The Montreal Canadiens currently find themselves 7th in priority, as they currently occupy 27th place in the standings. They’re currently only one point ahead of the Vancouver Canucks and three points ahead of the San Jose Sharks.

The waiver priority is a simple reverse order of the NHL standings, points percentage do not play a role in determining the order, outside of a tie-breaker for teams with the same amount of points.

The priority varies on a daily basis, as the NHL standings fluctuate over time, but, with the performances of Cole Caufield out for the season and other players seemingly playing injured of late, recent oddsmakers providing fans with NHL tips are projecting a bottom-five finish.

That could be an added benefit for them as they approach the NHL Trade Deadline, as interesting names have started to become available on the waiver wire due to the flat salary cap.

With over 17 teams currently using Long-Term Injury Reserve (LTIR) to ice a compliant NHL roster, the Canadiens could find themselves with an opportunity to add an interesting name; especially if the injury bug continues.

Here is the updated waiver priority below: