There was a time when Rene Bourque was seen as a capable top-six forward and while the 32-year-old has struggled over the last few years, he did score eight goals and 11 points in 17 games during the 2014 playoffs. He hasn’t been effective this season though and that’s led to the Montreal Canadiens putting Bourque on waivers, per TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie.
Bourque is in the fifth season of his six-year, $20 million contract. Under the old CBA, the Canadiens could rid themselves of his cap hit by storing him in the minors, but now his average annual salary will still partially count against the cap even if he’s playing in the AHL.
Prior to being waived, he was listed as a healthy scratch for two straight games. He has just two assists and a team-worst minus-nine rating while averaging 12:20 minutes per contest in 13 games in 2014-15.
Montreal also called up Jarred Tinordi and returned Drayson Bowman to AHL Hamilton.