Canadiens place five players on waivers with a view to transferring them to the Rocket

Montreal Canadiens' Alex Belzile (60) collides with goaltender Jakub Dobes (75) during scrimmage at training camp in Brossard, Que., Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

The Montreal Canadiens announced on Sunday that they have placed forwards Alex Belzile, Lucas Condotta and Sean Farrell, as well as defencemen Nathan Clurman and Marc Del Gaizo, on waivers.

If they are not claimed, the five players will continue their preparations for the upcoming season with the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Belzile is returning to the Canadiens organization after completing a two-year contract with the New York Rangers. The 34-year-old Quebec native played all 44 of his National Hockey League (NHL) games with the Habs, scoring six goals and 15 points.

Condotta was trying to earn a spot with the Canadiens during training camp after playing seven games with the club last season. The 27-year-old Ontarian, who was never drafted, scored two goals in 11 NHL games.

Farrell, meanwhile, totalled 20 goals and 44 points in 67 games with the Rocket last season.

Of the group, Del Gaizo is the most experienced NHL player. The 25-year-old defenceman had two goals and nine points in 46 games with the Nashville Predators in 2024-25.

Finally, Clurman played his first game in the Bettman circuit with the Pittsburgh Penguins last winter, failing to score. He had two goals and 11 points in 31 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

The Canadiens’ farm team will play two preseason games on 3 and 4 October before kicking off its season on 10 October against the Manitoba Moose.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Sept. 28, 2025.