Since the beginning of the season, Max Comtois has been playing in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Chicago Wolves. He has a one-way AHL contract for a specific reason: the Wolves are the only AHL team not affiliated with an NHL club.
Yesterday, the Hurricanes offered him a two-way contract worth $775,000 in the NHL. It's a seemingly low price. While it was initially thought that the Hurricanes were strengthening their team for the playoffs and adding depth, it appears their plan may be different.
Indeed, Comtois has just been placed on waivers. Since the Hurricanes no longer have an affiliated club (formerly the Wolves), it will be interesting to see what happens if he is not claimed and has to be recalled.
Nevertheless, Comtois is now available to the other 31 NHL teams, and at this price, Kent Hughes might be tempted to pick him up. It's a low-cost project, with absolutely no risk for the Canadiens to claim him.
In the worst-case scenario, they could place him on waivers and not sign him this summer. In the best-case scenario, he surprises and earns a contract extension.
