On June 12, 2019, the St. Louis Blues hoisted the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history. A member of the celebrations, having played in 15 playoff games for the Blues, St. Louis draft pick Sammy Blais also got his chance to lift the cup. Now, five years after helping bring a franchise their first championship, it’s hoped that Blais will do the same in Vancouver.
Blais started his career with St. Louis, being picked by the Blues in the sixth round of the 2014 NHL Draft, 176th overall. He made his NHL debut in the 2017–18 regular season, where he played 11 games and scored one goal and two assists. The next year would be progressive for Blais, who split games between St. Louis and the San Antonio Rampage (now the Henderson Silver Knights). With exposure to both the NHL and the AHL, Blais learned to adapt to each league’s style.
“When I was in the AHL, it was more like scoring faster,” the forward remarked. “But when you get to the NHL, everyone has skills, and you’re not always getting top-line minutes.”
These changes forced Blais to pivot, emphasizing a different area of his game. While he once tore up the AHL offensively, tallying 40 points in 43 games with San Antonio in the 2017–18 regular season, Blais is now known for a different style of play. His former coaches “liked the physical game and playing hard.
“I think that’s kind of my game, hard to play against,” said Blais. “You’ve got to do something else to stand out. And for me, it was being physical, being hard to play against, and that’s what’s made many successful in the NHL.”
Being a part of the Stanley Cup-winning team in 2018–19 saw a career-shift for Blais. The rest of this first stint with the Blues saw Blais only getting NHL playing time, partly due to the fact that the Vegas Golden Knights bought the Rampage but also due to his 13 and 15 points in 40 and 36 games, respectively. The scrappy forward can be relied on for some fourth-line offensive production, as well as a physical, possessive play style that will make it harder for opposing teams to get the puck.
“I’m still a good player offensively, but sometimes it’s harder to show when you play [on the] fourth line,” he clarified. “But I’m able to make some good plays, and for me, it’s just being confident with the puck and just playing my game.”
Before the start of the 2021–22 regular season, Blais was traded to the New York Rangers, where he spent just under two seasons. His first campaign lasted 14 games, in which he put up four assists, while his second season in the Big Apple saw him venture back to the AHL before being sent back to the Blues.
“When I got traded to the Rangers, I think I was playing good,” he noted of his performances with New York. “When I got hurt, and coming back from that, that injury was pretty hard — but now I feel good and feel confident on the ice.”
Blais’ return to St. Louis in 2023 marked the biggest offensive output of his career in the NHL, with the forward scoring nine goals and 11 assists in 31 games. This led the Blues to sign him to a one-year deal worth a total of $1M.
“When I got back to St. Louis, I was put in a situation to be successful, and I think I proved it.”
Following his return to St. Louis, Blais joined team Canada at the World Championship, where he played alongside Canucks defenceman Tyler Myers. When he returned to St. Louis the season after, he scored one goal and six assists in 53 games. Sure, it was a down year for Blais, but this only helped forge an opportunity for him in Vancouver. It’s a new city, a new market, and a new contract for the Canadian forward.
“It's kind of new coming on a new team and on a PTO, so I’m just trying to be myself out there,” he said. “Normally, I go onto a team with a contract and stuff. It's been a little nerve-wracking. But, like I said, I’ve been around a long time in the NHL, so I kind of know what to do to be successful.
“I’m gonna have to show what I can do. And for me, it’s just like I said — play my game. Be hard to play against. And I think if I do that, I’ll be good.”
New settings and new teams can only mean one thing for a player like Blais — new opportunities. It’s yet to be determined whether that will be with Vancouver or Abbotsford, but regardless, the Canucks organization will be able to lean on the versatile roleplaying that Blais can provide.
Sammy Blais, 28, signed with the Vancouver Canucks' AHL affiliate, Abbotsford, and received an NHL tryout. While known for his high-energy play and physicality, Blais' injury history poses challenges; he struggled with health but played 71 and 53 games in the last two seasons. After a strong training camp, his recent scrimmage performance fell flat, marked by uncharacteristically low energy and turnovers. Despite this, he avoided roster cuts and hopes to secure a spot as preseason games begin. Blais aims to leverage his NHL experience and past successes, including a Stanley Cup run, to earn his place on the team.
If Blais can regain his peak performance in preseason, he may secure a spot on the Canucks roster. His previous NHL experience could bolster his chances if he demonstrates value in games.
Blais faces an uphill battle to make the Canucks roster, but his experience and resilience make him a potential asset. Success in the upcoming preseason could revive his NHL career, so he must capitalize on every opportunity.
Last month saw the Canucks sign Sammy Blais to a contract with their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford. Arguably of more importance to Blais though, was being invited for an NHL professional tryout.
While maybe not the most talented of players, the 28-year-old is often lauded for his physical and high energy performances. Certainly this approach had been enough to see him last seven seasons (and counting) in the NHL.
Perhaps the biggest issue for Blais has been his inability to remain healthy, due to his approach to the game of hockey. This is of course a conundrum of sorts for him, given that it is this style of play which has seen him 'survive' so long in the NHL.
In fairness to the 2014 sixth round draft -- for what it's worth -- these past two seasons have seen him total the first and second-most games in an NHL campaign respectively. He played 71 games two seasons ago, followed by 53 during this past campaign.
In this respect, Blais does feel healthy. As per Michael Liu of Canucks Army, he said: “This summer was pretty much like the first summer where I really felt good. I tore my ACL two and a half years ago, was a pretty tough break for me. When I got traded to the Rangers, I think I was playing good when I got hurt, and coming back from that, that injury was pretty hard, but now I feel good and I feel confident on the ice.”
What the winger won't do is produce much offence, with 71 points in 257 career NHL regular season games. Regardless, he can still provide value to a bottom-six in the right situation.
Along these lines, Blais has enjoyed a strong training camp with the Canucks. Unfortunately for him though, he put on a poor showing during Sunday's end-of-camp scrimmage.
The Montmagny, Quebec native was minus his trademark high energy, which surprised many given what's at stake for him. Throw in several avoidable turnovers, and it just wasn't a good day at the office for him.
Part of the reason Blais may not have performed as well as expected, is down to the unusual circumstances surrounding him. He said: “It’s my first time being on a PTO. Normally, I go onto a team with a contract and stuff, but it’s been a little nerve-wracking. ... You got to stand out. But for me, practices are kind of hard to show that a little bit.”
At least the former New York Ranger wasn't one of the Canucks' 17 roster cuts ahead of preseason play, which begins on Tuesday at home versus the Seattle Kraken. As such, hope remains alive to win a valuable roster spot for the beginning of the 2024-25 regular season.
Besides, as Blais alluded to, you're likely to see something resembling closer to his normal self once preseason games begin. As he said: “I’ve been around a long time in the NHL, so I kind of know what to do to be successful.”
This success includes playing a valuable role for the St. Louis Blues when they won the Stanley Cup in 2018-19, including appearing in 15 of their 26 playoff games. Blais still has plenty to do in order to make the Canucks roster, but do you genuinely feel confident enough to bet against him?
