Other NHL teams have until noon Monday to claim the 27-year-old forward; otherwise, he will report to the AHL’s Laval Rockets.
The Canadiens announced on Sunday that forward Alex Barré-Boulet has been placed on waivers for a loan to the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League.
Other NHL teams have until noon Monday to claim Barré-Boulet; otherwise, he will go to Laval.
When Barré-Boulet became an unrestricted free agent on July 1, the Canadiens signed him to a one-year, one-way contract worth US$775,000. Last season, the 27-year-old appeared in 36 games for the Tampa Bay Lightning, scoring 6-3-9, and 23 games for the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, scoring 4-15-19. Barré-Boulet finished second in AHL scoring during the 2022-23 season with the Crunch when he had 24-60-84 totals in 69 games with the Crunch.
Barré-Boulet appeared in the Canadiens’ first two games this season before being named a healthy scratch for Saturday’s 4-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators at the Bell Centre. Despite collecting 53-63-116 totals in 65 games during his final junior season in the QMJHL with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, the 5-foot-10, 174-pound Montmagny native was never taken in the NHL Draft. Barré-Boulet’s career NHL stats are 12-6-18 in 70 games.
The Rocket fell 3-1 on the road against the Springfield Thunderbirds on Saturday night, after defeating the Providence Bruins 5-2 on Friday night. Jared Davidson scored for the Rockets in Springfield. The Rockets’ next game is their home opener against Syracuse on Friday at 7 p.m. in Place Bell.
The Canadiens, who have a 2-1-0 record this season, practiced Sunday morning at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard. They will return to play Monday when the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Bell Centre (7:30 p.m., Prime, RDS).
It sounds like the Montreal Canadiens are dealing with some key injury management early in the season. It’s encouraging that Jayden Struble is back in practice after missing the first three games with an upper-body injury. His return could help bolster the Canadiens’ defensive lineup. As for Mike Matheson, his therapy day likely indicates some preventative rest, as he’s been heavily relied upon, leading the team with over 26 minutes of ice time per game through the first three games.
With the upcoming matchups against the Los Angeles Kings= at the Bell Centre on Thursday and then a road game against the New York Islanders on Saturday, the Canadiens will need their key defensemen healthy. Matheson’s leadership and heavy minutes on the blue line are crucial for their success, especially against strong opponents like the Kings and Islanders.
