Montreal Canadiens Dominate the NHL in One Surprising Category

In fact, no other NHL team has been able to take as much advantage of this mechanism as the Canadiens, who completely dominate this particular category.

The most striking case remains Paul Byron. Claimed off waivers from the Calgary Flames in 2015, the Quebec-born forward quickly became an essential part of the Canadiens.

His speed, determination, and versatility allowed him to enjoy multiple 20-goal seasons while establishing himself as a respected locker room presence. Few teams can boast of finding such a contribution for free.

Another notable example is Samuel Montembeault. Deemed surplus by the Florida Panthers in 2021, the Quebec goalie found a second life in Montreal.

After an adjustment period, he established himself as one of the organization's most reliable netminders and even represented Canada at the World Championship and the Four Nations Cup.

His progress perfectly illustrates the importance of giving waiver-claimed players a real opportunity.

More recently, Johnathan Kovacevic joined the list. Arriving from the Winnipeg Jets in 2022, the right-handed defenseman surprised with his stability and composure.

Quietly, he secured a regular role on the third pairing and provided valuable contributions to the team. Once again, a zero-cost acquisition that proved to pay off.

These repeated successes place the Montreal Canadiens in a league of their own when it comes to waivers.

Where many organizations merely try without much success, the Canadiens have shown an extraordinary ability to identify the right player at the right time.

This trend, which could continue in the coming years, proves that management knows how to maximize every tool at its disposal to improve the team.