Who is the lowest-paid player on the Montreal Canadiens?

The Montreal Canadiens could have many entry-level contracts this season, so I planned to disregard those players and talk about the lowest-paid veteran. The younger players are usually the lowest-paid players on the team since they can't make more than the $950,000 maximum. However, this season, the Canadiens will likely have a player making even less than the rookies. That player is Alex Barre-Boulet, a four-year veteran on his second team after beginning his career with the Tampa Bay Lightning organization.

Barre-Boulet signed a one-year, one-way deal with the Canadiens that pays him $750,000. He likely had a spot in Laval to start the season and would be a cheap option if any players struggled or got hurt. The injury he had to wait for happened earlier than most expected when Rafael Harvey-Pinard suffered a broken leg this offseason.

The injury leaves the door open for Barre-Boulet to steal Harvey-Pinard's job out of training camp. RHP won't be back in the lineup until November, but Barre-Boulet may be hard to take out of the lineup. It likely won't be a big change from watching Harvey-Pinard last season, as they are both undersized forwards who won't score many goals but will bring energy to the bottom six.

What will Alex Barre-Boulet bring?

Barre-Boulet played the most games of his career in 2023-24, slotting into 36 contests with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He recorded six goals and three assists, but had a -9 rating on a good Lightning team. It was hard for Jon Cooper to trust Barre-Boulet in defensive situations, which isn't ideal for a depth forward.

Defense has never been a big part of Barre-Boulet's game, but he did have a 116-point season in his last year in the QMJHL. He also had significant point numbers in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch.

There is a spot open on the wing of the second line for now. If Kent Hughes doesn't trade for a scorer like Patrik Laine, Barre-Boulet could have a successful training camp and grab that spot. Placing Barre-Boulet on the second line isn't ideal, but a player on a league-minimum contract who can hold his own would increase the Canadiens' depth down the lineup.

It's important to temper expectations for Barre-Boulet. He could start the season in Laval just as easily as he could be a regular forward. Don't be surprised if Barre-Boulet is in the lineup on opening night against the Toronto Maple Leafs, but don't expect him to score 40 points this season, either.