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Canadiens: Habs Make Final Round Of Cuts Ahead of Regular Season

By Ryan Praught |
OTTAWA, CANADA - OCTOBER 07: Mattias Norlinder #59 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates Sean Monahan #91 (not in the image) goal in the third period of a preseason game against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on October 07, 2023 in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
OTTAWA, CANADA - OCTOBER 07: Mattias Norlinder #59 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates Sean Monahan #91 (not in the image) goal in the third period of a preseason game against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on October 07, 2023 in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

The NHL’s deadline to announce the final, cap-compliant roster ahead of the regular season is Monday at 5 p.m. ET. With that, the Canadiens announced their final cuts earlier Monday morning ahead of their season-opening battle with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday.

The Canadiens cut forward Emil Heineman and defenseman Mattias Norlinder, both players who had good pre-seasons. Unfortunately for them, and perhaps luckily for Montreal, they are waivers exempt, meaning there was no risk of losing them upon sending them down. This was likely the nail in the coffin for them.

I’m sure, even then, it was a difficult decision for the Habs brass, as both players showed out this preseason. And that’s what you want: competition within the camp that ultimately leaves you with tough choices. Nobody wants an easy decision regarding cutting players.

I’d suspect that when the need to call players up arises, and it will, Heineman and Norlinder will be on the shortlist of players to get the opportunity. Norlinder has just six games of NHL experience in the regular season, and Emil Heineman has yet to play an NHL game. That should change this season.

Today’s cuts come on the heels of a somewhat surprising decision Sunday to waive veteran Joel Armia, a move that felt necessary but also never seemed like it was bound to happen. Defenseman Gustav Lindström, who was acquired in the Jeff Petry trade with Detroit, was also waived Sunday.

Montreal’s current roster comprises 23 players consisting of 13 forwards, seven defensemen and three goalies. The Canadiens are carrying three goalies because Cayden Primeau is not waivers exempt, and the Habs fear he will be claimed if put on waivers.

It’s possible the Canadiens facilitate a trade or perhaps make a waiver claim ahead of the 5 p.m. ET deadline, but I would bet this is the final roster, at least to start the season. The Habs could opt to make changes after the season begins, as I’d posit, they don’t want to carry three goalies all season.

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