Montréal Canadiens claim Colin White off waivers

The Montréal Canadiens have acquired forward Colin White via waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday.

White, who played 11 games for the Penguins since his call-up in January, remained scoreless during his time with the team, averaging 9:57 of ice time. Originally signed by the Penguins to a one-year deal in October after a successful training camp tryout, White also showcased his skills in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, tallying five goals and five assists in 21 games.

MON claims Colin White

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 22, 2024

Last season, the 26-year-old contributed eight goals and seven assists in 68 games with the Florida Panthers, along with two assists in 21 playoff games during their journey to the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. Originally drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft, White struggled to maintain his performance after signing a six-year, $4.75 million AAV contract with the Senators in August 2019. This led to his eventual buyout by Ottawa in 2022.

With 303 career games spread across eight NHL seasons with the Penguins, Senators, and Panthers, White has amassed 44 goals and 69 assists for a total of 113 points, also contributing two assists in 22 playoff appearances.

Currently, the Canadiens hold the seventh position in the Atlantic Division with a 22-26-8 record, totaling 52 points across 56 games. They are scheduled to play against the Penguins tonight and the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, with White’s inclusion in the lineup for these games remaining uncertain.

Montreal Canadiens place Brandon Gignac on waivers

The Montreal Canadiens have made the decision to place forward Brandon Gignac on waivers.

This announcement coincides with the Canadiens’ acquisition of forward Colin White from the Pittsburgh Penguins, necessitating a roster spot to accommodate the new addition.

Gignac recently had a brief seven-game stint with the Canadiens this month, marking a notable moment by scoring his first career NHL goal in a 5-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on February 13th. This opportunity came after his debut in the 2018-19 season with the New Jersey Devils, where he was selected 80th overall in the 2016 draft.

Having showcased his skills effectively, Gignac has experienced his most successful season in professional hockey this year, notching 14 goals and 42 points in 43 games with the Laval Rocket. With the decision to place him on waivers, the Canadiens are likely aiming to retain him as a pivotal player for Laval’s playoff aspirations, considering his significant contributions as the team’s leading scorer.

Gignac has been part of the Canadiens’ organization for the past three seasons, signing a two-year contract last summer valued at $775,000 per season. Prior to joining Montreal, he spent the initial four years of his professional career within the Devils’ system, achieving a previous career-high of 36 points with Binghamton in 2018-19. Gignac also spent time with the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen during the 2020-21 season before returning to the AHL with Laval the following year.

The Canadiens are set to face the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday following a recent loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Currently ranked 26th in the NHL with a record of 22-25-8, totaling 52 points, the team has faced some challenges, maintaining a 3-6-1 record over the past ten games.