We Finally Know Why the Maple Leafs Claimed Sammy Blais From the Canadiens
Photo credit: screenshot
The Toronto Maple Leafs caused a surprise a little earlier this week by deciding to claim two players off waivers, including one from the Montreal Canadiens.
The Leafs claimed 29-year-old forward Samuel Blais (from the Montreal Canadiens) and goaltender Cayden Primeau (from the Carolina Hurricanes) via waivers.
Why Toronto? Why Samuel Blais?
Renaud Lavoie just gave some explanations, and indeed, this explains it.
The reason why the Toronto Maple Leafs claimed Samuel Blais off waivers
It seems that Leafs head coach Craig Berube strongly influenced this acquisition in Toronto.
"The connection between Samuel Blais and the Maple Leafs is very simple.
Craig Berube was his coach with the St. Louis Blues and has always spoken highly of him..
So it's not a big surprise that they're working together again."
- Renaud Lavoie, TVA Sports
Craig Berube was his coach with the St. Louis Blues and has always spoken highly of him..
So it's not a big surprise that they're working together again."
- Renaud Lavoie, TVA Sports
Blais also opened up and shared his thoughts after being claimed by the Canadiens' rivals:
"When you win with a coach, you build a special bond. Even when I wasn't playing for him anymore, we kept texting each other," said the forward. "I've maintained a good relationship with Craig. He's always been honest with me - both when things were going well and when they weren't."
"I wish it had worked out in Montreal. I'm a local guy," Blais said. "Plus, I was starting to really fit in with the locker room. I think the guys were starting to like me.
But I'm excited to be in Toronto. I'm still in the NHL. I wanted another chance to play in the NHL, and now I've got it."
- Sammy Blais
"I wish it had worked out in Montreal. I'm a local guy," Blais said. "Plus, I was starting to really fit in with the locker room. I think the guys were starting to like me.
But I'm excited to be in Toronto. I'm still in the NHL. I wanted another chance to play in the NHL, and now I've got it."
- Sammy Blais
In short, we want to wish Sammy Blais the best of luck with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Samuel Blais, 29 years old, is a 6-foot-2, 206-pound forward who has collected 71 points in 257 career NHL games and played in 27 NHL playoff games.
In 2022-23 with the Blues, he recorded 20 points in 31 games.
Last season in the AHL, he tallied 40 points in 51 games.
In the end (and rightfully so), he must be extremely happy to have a new opportunity in the National Hockey League, and we wish him all the best!
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