Canadiens Claim Former First-Round Pick Off Waivers

The Montreal Canadiens will have a new center in the lineup against the Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday night, and there isn't even a flight to catch, as the Habs have claimed Colin White off waivers from the Pens.

The Canadiens have claimed forward Colin White off waivers (Pittsburgh) and have placed forward Brandon Gignac on waivers for the purpose of a loan to the Laval Rocket.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/TpbjRgDSAj
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) February 22, 2024

White was the first-round pick (21st overall) of the Ottawa Senators in the 2015 NHL draft and spent time with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Florida Panthers for the past two seasons, after spending his first six years in the NHL with the Sens. Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes is quite familiar with White, having been his agent earlier in his career.

For tonight, White only has to walk down the hall at PPG Paints Arena, where the Canadiens will have a fresh new jersey waiting for him. To make room for White, the Habs have placed Brandon Gignac on waivers with the intention of assigning him back to the Laval Rocket of the AHL.

White has only played 11 games this season for the Penguins since getting the call-up from the AHL in January. He hadn't scored a single point, and played just a tick under 10 minutes per game. The 27-year-old centre had recorded 10 points in 21 games for the Penguins' AHL affiliate at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, with a plus-minus rating of +10.

In eight NHL seasons, White has played 303 games, recording 44 goals and 69 assists for 113 points. He's played an average of 13:54 per game. His highwater mark came in his rookie season, his first full year with the Senators in 2018–19 when he recorded 14 goals and 41 points in 71 games. He finished 11th in the Calder Trophy balloting.

Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports