Sammy Blais News

Blais has seen some success at the NHL level, offering a unique blend of hitting, physicality, and offensive ability. That said, the 30-year-old forward has spent most of the past two seasons in the AHL, including scoring 38 points (14G / 24A) last season in 35 games with the Laval Rocket (AHL).

Blais has been productive in bottom-six roles this season, but has not been able to solidify a spot on an NHL roster. The 29-year-old forward is averaging 8:26 time-on-ice, recording eight points (3G / 5A) and 78 hits in 21 games combined with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens.

Blais has been productive in bottom-six roles this season, but has not been able to solidify a spot on an NHL roster. The 29-year-old forward is averaging 8:26 time-on-ice, recording eight points (3G / 5A) and 78 hits in 21 games combined with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens.

Blais has been recalled from the AHL because Jake Evans suffered a lower-body injury and is not expected to play on Sunday. Blais has nine points (3G / 6A) in nine games since joining Laval after being waived by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

With several notable players returning from injury, Blais will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 29-year-old Blais has seen limited action this season but has been effective in primarily a fourth-line role, tallying three points (1G / 2A) and 28 hits in eight games.

An injury to Matthew Knies (lower body) allowed Blais to draw into Toronto's lineup on Tuesday, but his appearance was short-lived, exiting the contest after only 6:31 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. That said, Blais seems no worse for wear, returning to practice on Wednesday. The 29-year-old Blais recorded an assist before his injury, giving him three points (1G / 2A) and 27 hits in seven games this season.

Blais will slot in for Matthew Knies, who was a late scratch due to a lower-body injury. Blais has one goal and one assist in six games this season.

Blais made his season debut with the Maple Leafs last week and has been productive in a bottom-six role, recording two points (1G / 1A) and 11 hits while averaging 9:56 time-on-ice. The 29-year-old Blais spent the entirety of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, but is no stranger to the NHL, with 73 points (28G / 45A) in 260 career games.

With William Nylander (lower body) out of the lineup on Wednesday, Blais will make his season debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 29-year-old Blais spent the entirety of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, but is no stranger to the NHL, with 71 points (27G / 44A) in 257 career games.

Blais spent the entirety of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, tallying 40 points (14G / 26A) in 51 games with the Abbotsford Canucks. The hard-hitting 29-year-old forward will hope for more exposure at the NHL level after being claimed off waivers on Monday by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Blais' most productive season was in 2022-23 when he scored 25 points (9G / 16A) and recorded 238 hits in 71 outings.

Blais had a breakout 2022-23 season, scoring 20 points (9G / 11A) in 31 games with the St. Louis Blues, but only scored seven points (1G / 6A) in 53 games in 2023-24 and ultimately spent the entirety of the 2024-25 season in the AHL. After losing Joel Armia and Michael Pezzetta, the Canadiens will look to Blais to compete for a bottom-six role in the upcoming 2025-26 season.