Montreal Canadiens claim Chris Tierney off waivers from Florida Panthers

The Montreal Canadiens have claimed forward Chris Tierney off waivers from the Florida Panthers, Daily Faceoff hockey insider Frank Seravalli reported Thursday.

Tierney, 28, recorded two goals and three points in 12 games with the Panthers this season. He also appeared in 20 games with the Charlotte Checkers, Florida’s AHL affiliate, collecting three goals and 16 points.

Having spent the previous four seasons with the Ottawa Senators, Tierney signed a two-way deal with the Panthers for 2022–23 as an unrestricted free agent last July. On his current contract, Tierney carries a $750,000 NHL cap hit but is paid a $450,000 salary in the AHL.

With Sean Monahan, Kirby Dach, and Jake Evans all out of the lineup, the Canadiens needed another forward capable of playing centre at the NHL level. Tierney has done plenty of that in his career.

The San Jose Sharks originally selected Tierney in the second round (No. 55 overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft. The 6’1″, 191-pound centre made his NHL debut with the Sharks in 2014–15 and spent parts of four seasons with the team before being traded to Ottawa in 2018 as part of the Erik Karlsson deal.

Tierney’s tenure in Ottawa also lasted four seasons. He set career-best marks with 39 assists and 48 points in 81 games with the Senators in 2018–19, his debut go-round with the team.

Through 574 career NHL games over parts of nine seasons with the Sharks, Senators, and Panthers, Tierney has collected 75 goals and 229 points. He has also appeared in 40 playoff games (including 24 during the Sharks’ run to the 2016 Stanley Cup Final), scoring five goals and 12 points.

The Canadiens will return to action on Friday when they pay a visit to the Philadelphia Flyers at 7:00 p.m. ET.