Potential waiver targets for the Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes isn’t shy when it comes to discussing his team’s needs, and that includes his constant search for a defender.

Due to a lack of high-profile players on waivers, he has taken a patient approach so far, but with the regular season fast approaching, defender availability, which has been fairly limited, should increase exponentially.

It seems the team has done their homework and identified a few organizations that could offer interesting options on the blue line.

“We’re watching the organizations that we know that have too many defenders that aren’t going to be able to get into a 23-man roster without embarrassing anyone,” Hughes told The Athletic.

It’s become a game of forgoing wire chickens, especially for teams with viable defenders who are currently on decent contract.

Teams like Pittsburgh just don’t have enough spots available and too many players who need waivers in the lineup. They have to choose between PO Joseph, who was offered in a trade to 31 other teams, and Mark Friedman.

With Zohorna claims #Pencils There is a risk of losing a defender as well. Sources say PIT has offered all 31 teams Pierre-Olivier Joseph.#Canucks are also actively trying to delay Micheal Ferland’s contract.

More in today’s Ice Breakers 🧊🏒 segment: https://t.co/ytliaG1cVU

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 3, 2022

Given his ability to play on both sides of the ice, Friedman fits the bill perfectly, although Joseph, a Laval native, would bring a little more potential to the table.

The Minnesota Wild have 9 defenders left in camp, including Calen Addison, who is exempt from the waiver but is currently enjoying a great foreplay with the team. If Addison gets a job on the Wild’s opening night list, age 31 Andrei Sustr could land on the waiver wire.

Sustr has just one year left on his current contract, which only pays him $750,000 per season. It’s also worth noting that he’s a right-handed defender, making him an ideal waiver wire target from Hughes.

The Calgary Flames also have a surplus of bodies on the blue line and with Michael Stone appearing close to trading his tryout for an NHL contract, mobile defenseman Juuso Valimaki could be available soon.

The left-handed defender is set to become a restricted free agent this summer, with his current contract being worth $1.5 million in average annual value (AAV).

As a right-handed defender, Nicholas Meloche could become a legitimate target. The Lasalle native has an AAV of $950,000 on a one-year contract that expires at the end of the season.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks still have 10 defensemen in stock, including newly signed Nathan Beaulieu. Transferring Jamie Drysdale to the AHL could reduce the risk of losing a player, but given his current form, it’s unlikely they’ll go that route, meaning either Josh Mahura or Simon Benoit could face the abandonment wire.

It’s unclear which team will flinch first, but by this point they certainly know Kent Hughes is ready to pounce and circle their defender like an eager seagull in a McDonald’s parking lot hoping for a delicious fries Fries pops out of a car window.

As a team that finished 32nd overall last season, the Montreal Canadiens will retain waiver priority over the rest of the league through November 1. At this point, teams will be re-seeded according to their position in the Waiver Wire priority queue.

(Contract information about Capfriendly)