Canadiens Reclaim Sammy Blais Off Waivers From Maple Leafs

In a curious turn of events, the Montreal Canadiens have claimed forward Sammy Blais off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs. The transaction, reported by multiple sources on Thursday, marks a swift return to Montreal for Blais, who had only recently been acquired by Toronto via waivers from the Canadiens on October 6.

Blais, 29, originally signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with Montreal as an unrestricted free agent on July 1. However, with the Maple Leafs facing an injury crisis early in the season, they claimed Blais off waivers to bolster their forward ranks.

During his brief stint in Toronto, Blais appeared in eight games, tallying one goal and three points. He provided a physical presence and contributed offensively in limited minutes, playing a reported 66 minutes. Despite his efforts, the impending return of key players like Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, and Nicolas Roy from injury led the Maple Leafs to place Blais back on waivers. The hope was to sneak Blais through waivers and keep him as an insurance player within the organization.

However, the Canadiens, evidently keen to bring Blais back into their fold, seized the opportunity to reclaim him. According to TVA Sports' Renaud Lavoie, the Canadiens were the only team to put in a claim for Blais. This allows them the flexibility to assign him directly to their AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, if they choose.

Blais, a native of Montmagny, Quebec, was originally drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the sixth round (176th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft. He turned professional in the 2016-17 season with the AHL's Chicago Wolves and made his NHL debut with the Blues the following year. He was part of the St. Louis Blues' Stanley Cup-winning team in 2019, recording three points in 15 playoff games. After time with the New York Rangers, he was traded back to the Blues before signing with the Vancouver Canucks in 2024. He spent the 2024-25 season with the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks, where he had 40 points in 51 games and helped them win the Calder Cup.

The Canadiens' decision to reclaim Blais provides them with a versatile player who can contribute both offensively and physically. Whether he remains in Montreal or is assigned to Laval, Blais adds depth to the organization. For the Maple Leafs, the loss of Blais is a minor setback as they regain their injured players and look towards solidifying their roster for a strong playoff push.