There are four ways to acquire an NHL player — the draft, trade, free agency (unrestricted or restricted), and waiver claims. Of those four methods, waiver claims usually provide the least impactful NHL players. A player who is placed on waivers is typically one who is no longer seen as NHL-calibre or is signed to an albatross of a contract.
However, some notable waiver pickups who have blossomed in the NHL include Gustav Forsling of the Florida Panthers and Eeli Tolvanen of the Seattle Kraken. The Montreal Canadiens have also had success with several waiver claims in recent seasons, as a trio of players have carved out meaningful roles with the big club. While none of their claims have reached the heights of Forsling, who signed a massive eight-year extension this season, here are three players who have exceeded relatively low expectations after being picked up off of waivers.
Johnathan Kovacevic, Defense (2022-Present)
Surely, very few Canadiens fans expected Johnathan Kovacevic to remain with the big club for two full seasons after being claimed off of waivers in October 2022 with just four games of NHL experience. The 26-year-old has since suited up in 139 games with the team and has served as a veteran to the influx of young defensemen, as the third-oldest member of the Habs’ defensive group.
While his nine goals and 28 points won’t blow anyone away, he did manage a respectable six goals in 62 games this season while boasting a plus-11 rating on a subpar Canadiens team. His goals were tied with Kaiden Guhle and David Savard for third among rearguards on the team.
Samuel Montembeault, Goaltender (2021-Present)
Samuel Montembeault, like Kovacevic, has spent three seasons with the Canadiens, largely as their starting goaltender. He has started 119 games for the Habs since his arrival, more than any other goaltender during that time. He also helped Canada win a gold medal at the 2023 World Hockey Championships.
Montembeault, who was placed on waivers by the Florida Panthers in October 2021, has a 40-52-18 record, a 3.42 goals-against average, and a.898 save percentage in his Canadian career. While his numbers are average at best, he has been forced to backstop a couple bad teams while receiving a three-year agreement this season. He is likely to continue to receive the majority of action in goal in the near future.
Paul Byron, Left Wing (2015-2022)
Paul Byron was claimed off waivers in October 2015 and spent an impressive seven seasons in Montreal, having the honour of being named an alternate captain at the end of his tenure. With back-to-back 20-goal seasons in 2016-17 and 2017-18, he was unfortunately forced to retire following the 2021-22 campaign due to a hip injury. He remains with the team as a player development consultant.
Byron played 383 Canadiens games, scoring 81 goals and 160 points. While he scored 43 points in 2016-17, his best offensive season was a 15-goal, 31-point performance in 56 games in 2018-19, translating to 22 goals and 45 points over a full season. Known for his lightning speed, he also had three goals and six points in the team’s run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, including the historic game-winning goal in Game 1 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
These three players demonstrate the possibility for discovering a diamond in the rough while surfing the waiver wire. While some of their success can be ascribed to circumstances, such as the necessity for depth on a young and inexperienced Canadiens lineup, these players demonstrated that they are NHL-caliber competitors after their past clubs did not agree.
