The Montreal Canadiens are in a great spot on the waiver wire, given their finish from last year. While no one wants to finish last, they can capitalize on their draft/waiver position. While they won the draft lottery and were able to bring Juraj Slafkovsky in during the draft, they can do something similar in the coming days.
As the 2022 season inches closer, the Montreal Canadiens will be able to do the most with their position on the waiver wire. Waivers run in reverse standings from the previous season, which means the Habs have their pick of the litter when the names start trickling in.
When it comes to their plans as the 2022-23 season inches closer, being able to capitalize on the waiver wire is going to help the Habs mightily. They may have a crowded roster with some decisions to make, but the waiver wire will be an opportunity to add an impactful/beneficial player.
The Montreal Canadiens need to capitalize on their waiver wire spot.
If the Habs want to take a chance on a player or bring in someone on waivers with upside, they will have the opportunity to do so. It’s not the first time this topic has come up. A Winning Habit’s Co-Expert Ken MacMillan detailed three defensemen to target with their waiver position back in September.
The Habs are in a tough spot; they do not have much cap space to work with but could still get creative. For the Canadiens and the waiver wire, this means finding someone who they feel adds to the team as a valuable piece helps them as the 2022-23 season starts.
It will be interesting as the Habs continue to weigh out their options if someone does strike their eye. The corresponding roster moves to make a claim could shake things up. But capitalizing on their waiver wire position is still important. Maybe the waiver wire is thin, and no one stands out to Kent Hughes in his General Manager’s chair.
But with the first choice when someone hits the waiver wire, the Habs get first dibs. Being able to scoop up someone they really like has to happen. Even if some corresponding moves or transactions change up the roster, pouncing on a player on waivers helps them solidify the roster heading into the season.
The Canadiens may not be actively waiting for names to come through on waivers with a crowded roster of their own, but there will be players to consider adding on the waiver wire. Teams around the league will have to make some cuts, including the Canadiens.
Having first dibs on the waiver wire could be huge for them to make a last-minute addition or last-minute shakeup for the team’s roster. The Canadiens need to capitalize on their position on the waiver wire, jumping on anyone who sticks out, even with their roster & cap situation.