Cedric Paquette has struggled this season with Montreal and the team has opted to try to free up a roster spot instead of carrying him as a scratch any longer as Montreal placed him on waivers on Saturday.
Things simply have not gone well for the 28-year-old this season, his first with the Canadiens. Signed by Marc Bergevin to help on the penalty kill and add some depth down the middle, Paquette has provided none of that. He has struggled mightily when he has been in the lineup and often was moved to the wing with him winning less than 30% of his faceoffs. The veteran has played in just 24 games this season, picking up two assists, 25 penalty minutes, and 58 hits while averaging less than nine minutes a game of ice time.
With those struggles, it would be surprising if he was claimed off waivers unless there’s a team out there that’s simply looking to add some low-cost depth as Paquette’s $950,000 cap hit is only $200,000 above the minimum salary. Assuming he clears on Sunday afternoon, he can be sent to Laval where he’d be a welcome addition with how many injuries the Rocket have right now.
Meanwhile, the Habs have officially activated defenceman Joel Edmundson from injured reserve and he will make his season debut against Seattle tonight. Meanwhile, Kale Clague has been placed on IR with an undisclosed injury. That will keep him out through the 19th at the earliest while it’s worth noting the maximum of 23 players on the active roster will be dropped on the 21st. This IR placement could actually help keep Clague with Montreal for the rest of the season as the Canadiens will need to make more roster moves as some of their injured players get closer to returning.