HabsWorld.net --
The Habs made a handful of notable cuts on Saturday as they get closer to finalizing their roster. Daniel Carr and Peter Holland were both placed on waivers while Jakub Jerabek and Michael McCarron were both assigned to Laval.
Holland was battling the likes of Torrey Mitchell and Jacob de la Rose for the fourth line centre position after signing as an unrestricted free agent back on July 1st. He suited up in four preseason games with the Habs, being held off the scoresheet. Holland has been a regular in the NHL for the better part of the past three seasons so there is a real chance he could be claimed. He is on a two-way contract in 2017-18 that converts to a one-way pact the following season.
Carr didn’t have the greatest of seasons in 2016-17 and went from a player who was pencilled into a roster spot with Montreal at the beginning of training camp to a reserve forward who wound up in the minors a couple of times. He’s on a one-way contract which might deter some smaller market teams from putting a claim in. Carr also got into four preseason games without recording a point.
McCarron had an opportunity to also battle for the fourth line centre spot and didn’t make the most of it. He has shown that he can be an effective physical player but not much else and even when given more ice time in the preseason, he didn’t show too much of a skill game. Some time in a top-six role in Laval would certainly be beneficial for him. McCarron picked up a single assist in his five preseason contests.
As for Jerabek, his demotion is a bit of a surprise. He hadn’t received much playing time (three games where he picked up an assist) but his skill set made him an option to play alongside Shea Weber, especially if they decide Victor Mete isn’t ready for that type of ice time just yet. He has a European assignment clause in his contract so if he chooses, he can block an assignment to the AHL and instead return overseas.
Holland and Carr will be on waivers until noon EST on Sunday.
There are 28 players remaining at camp (excluding Jeremiah Addison and Noah Juulsen who will open the year on SOIR) so at least five more cuts must be made by the season-opening roster deadline on Tuesday.