Canadiens waive goalie Ben Scrivens after 15-game stint

The Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday placed goalie Ben Scrivens on waivers and signed NCAA netminder Charlie Lindgren to a two-year, two-way contract.

Scrivens, who didn't accompany the NHL team to Sunrise, Fla., in preparation for Thursday night's game against the Panthers, appeared in 15 games for Montreal, posting a 5-8-0 record, 3.07 goals-against average and .906 save percentage, near his career totals of 2.96, .905.

Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin acquired the 29-year-old from Edmonton in late December for forward Zack Kassian.

In 10 games earlier this season, Scrivens had a 3.47 GAA and .893 save percentage for the Oilers' American Hockey League affiliate in Bakersfield, Calif.

In 144 NHL regular-season contests, Scrivens has compiled a 47-64-17 mark with seven shutouts. He has never appeared in a playoff game.

College standout

Lindgren, 22, went 30-9-1 with St. Cloud State Huskies this season, leading the NCAA in wins (30) andsaves (1,020) and tied with two others in shutouts with five.

The six-foot-two native of Lakeville, Minn., was second in the NCAA in minutes played (2,343), third in save percentage (.925) and fourth in goals-against average (2.13).

In 88 regular-season games with St. Cloud State over three seasons, Lindgren sported a 51-29-2 record, 2.21 GAA and .921 save percentage.

In a news release, Bergevin stated Lindgren would complete the season with the Canadiens.

"Lindgren was, in our mind, the best free-agent goaltender available coming out of the U.S. college level,"Bergevin said Wednesday. "Lindgren is a top goaltender coming out of college and becomes an excellent prospect for our organization, bringing some depth at this position."