Breaking: Habs push another player onto the waiver wire!

The Montreal Canadiens are switching things around once again this season, placing defenseman Xavier Ouellet on waivers on Friday and making him available to the rest of the National Hockey League. 

The Habs have been big fans of the waiver wire for the 2018-19 season. It started with forward Jacob de La Rose, who was lost to the Detroit Red Wings. Veteran defenseman Karl Alzner and teammate Nikita Scherbak also landed on there; the blue liner has been enjoying himself in the minors with the Laval Rocket in the AHL, however, Scherbak is now a member of the Los Angeles Kings and awaits his American visa to join the team.

Today, it is Ouellet's turn. 

Ouellet had not played since November 21, when the Canadiens lost 5-2 to the New Jersey Devils. In 19 games, the 25-year-old blueliner collected three assists and averaged 17:01 of ice time per outing. He also chipped in with 32 hits and 30 blocked shots.

The six-year veteran boasts five goals and 26 points in 160 career NHL games with Detroit and Montreal. After his contract came to an end with the Red Wings, the Canadiens agreed to terms with the defender on a one-year, two-way contract on July 1 as a free agent. 

He was selected in the second round, 48th overall by the Red Wings back in the 2011 NHL Draft. 

It seems like the Canadiens are trusting young callup defenseman Brett Kulak to pair up with captain Shea Weber, who made his triumphant return to the lineup after missing almost a full year. 

Ouellet is only 25 and is on a very affordable deal that carries only $700,000 cap hit and could gather the interest of several teams out there. 

He left the Canadiens, who are not in Chicago for Sunday's contest against the Blackhawks and awaits what comes next back in Montreal.