Canadiens Roster Talk: Several Players Placed On NHL Waivers

If the Montreal Canadiens want to add a little depth to the mix, they have an opportunity to claim one of the NHL players recently added to waivers.

Five players were placed on the waiver wire Thursday afternoon, in anticipation of the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday, at 3 pm ET. One of the driving forces behind the activity is that players must be in the AHL by the deadline if they’re to qualify for the Calder Cup playoffs. Any player still in the NHL will not be eligible to play.

In that vein, expect Owen Beck to be demoted on Friday, though it would be a ‘paper’ transaction, meaning Beck will remain with the Canadiens, but will officially be loaned to the Laval Rocket for 24 hours.

As for the NHL options, we have to be mindful that talented players rarely hit the waiver wire. The Habs could use a little depth up front, and perhaps even an additional defenceman if they move someone such as David Savard. In fact, there were a couple of interesting options on waivers Wednesday, but the Nashville Predators claimed both Jordan Oesterle and Jakub Vrana before the Canadiens had a chance to act.

NHL Waivers List

The Toronto Maple Leafs added former tough guy Ryan Reaves to waivers, though if we’re being realistic, there’s absolutely nothing Reaves can bring to the table for the Canadiens, except perhaps terrible underlying numbers.

26-year-old defenceman Riley Stillman was added to the waiver wire by the Carolina Hurricanes, the same team that’s desperately trying to find a suitor for Mikko Rantanen so their earlier trade with the Colorado Avalanche doesn’t end up being a total disaster. The Hurricanes sent Martin Necas and Jack Drury to the Avs in exchange for Rantanen and Taylor Hall, but the Finnish forward does not seem interested in signing a contract extension in Carolina.

Stillman produced good numbers in his very limited ice time with the Hurricanes this year, and he could serve as a good depth option for the Canadiens, but unfortunately, he’s left-handed, which mitigates some of his potential value.

Evan Cormier (Florida Panthers) and Cameron Hebig (Utah HC) won’t garner much interest from the Canadiens, leaving former Hab Tyler Pitlick as the last potential claim. The odds of a claim are rather low when we consider he spent the majority of the year in the AHL, and the Canadiens do not need more bottom-six options.

Nashville claimed Jordan Oesterle and Jakub Vrana.

Columbus claimed Christian Fischer.

Full list added to waivers: Ryan Reaves (TOR), Riley Stillman (CAR), Evan Cormier (FLA), Cameron Hebig (UTA), Tyler Pitlick (BOS).

Jesse Puljujarvi cleared.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 6, 2025