The Montreal Canadiens have put forward Alex Barre-Boulet on waivers.
The 27-year-old had a strong training camp with his new team, leading the Canadiens to choose to assign top prospect Joshua Roy to the Laval Rocket instead of Barre-Boulet. Since Roy does not need waivers to be sent to the AHL, while Barre-Boulet does, this may have influenced their choice. Nevertheless, it would have been relatively simple to slide Barre-Boulet through waivers, especially with other teams adding players ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Barre-Boulet is on a one-way contract, guaranteeing him NHL salary regardless of where he plays, which could attract interest from other teams. This is one of the rare instances where the Canadiens can use their financial advantage to maintain greater stability in the team.
Additionally, the Canadiens could have informed Oliver Kapanen that his time with the team was finished, sending him to Timra IK in the SHL, or they could have sent Emil Heineman to the AHL without requiring waivers. This decision signals the team is building trust with their top forward prospects.
Barre-Boulet performed adequately in his two NHL appearances with the Canadiens. He is a diligent player who uses his speed to drive play forward, effectively making his offensive skills a benefit for defensive efforts, as he tends to keep the puck in the offensive zone. However, the Canadiens have a surplus of young talent, raising the competitive standard for playing time among mid-range players.
On a positive note, if Barre-Boulet is not claimed by an NHL team, he will add valuable offensive support to the Rocket. He is not just a good AHL player; he is among the best, with a point-per-game average in 294 career games.
Additionally, the Detroit Red Wings placed forward Ville Husso on waivers on Sunday afternoon.
