Samuel Blais clears waivers and will report to the Laval Rocket
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
We have a verdict regarding Montreal Canadiens forward Samuel Blais.
And that verdict is actually excellent news!
Blais was officially not claimed on waivers, so Kent Hughes can immediately make a move and send him to the Laval Rocket.
What great news!
Samuel Blais goes unclaimed on NHL waivers and Kent Hughes moves quickly to reassign him to the Laval Rocket
"Sammy Blais has cleared waivers, he'll be spending the Olympics break with the Rocket."
- Karine Hains
- Karine Hains
This is certainly news that brings a sense of relief to the Canadiens’ front office today.
The suspense surrounding the immediate future of Quebec-born forward Samuel Blais is now over.
Blais was not claimed on waivers by the other 31 NHL teams.
That means he will be heading to Laval to lend a hand to the Rocket in the American Hockey League.
A solid reinforcement for Pascal Vincent’s squad!
Let’s be honest, this is the best-case scenario for Kent Hughes and the Montreal organization.
When a player with this level of experience is placed on waivers, there is always the risk of losing an asset for absolutely nothing in return.
Some feared that a team looking for physical help might jump at the opportunity, but the contract or the timing worked in the Canadiens’ favor.
Blais therefore remains within the organization, and that’s excellent news moving forward.
For the farm team, the arrival of a veteran of Samuel Blais’ caliber changes the dynamic.
We’re talking about a player who owns a Stanley Cup ring and knows exactly what it takes to win at the professional level.
His experience will be invaluable in mentoring the young prospects pushing for a spot with the big club.
We shouldn’t forget that Blais is a physical force who doesn’t back down on the ice.
Fans at Place Bell are likely to appreciate his hard-nosed style of play and strong work ethic.
Additionally, for the Montreal Canadiens, this represents a very high-quality insurance policy.
If injuries occur up front (and we know the season is still long), Blais will likely be the first candidate for a recall.
He’ll be able to use his time in Laval to log heavy minutes and regain his offensive confidence.
This is effective roster management without any missteps: the player gets to play, the team keeps its rights, and depth is preserved.
In short, everyone wins in this situation.
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