Forward Samuel Blais went unclaimed on waivers on Wednesday and was subsequently assigned to the Laval Rocket. This was the third time this season that Blais had been placed on waivers. The first time, on Oct. 6, he was claimed by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Then, after Toronto waived him on Nov. 27, the Habs claimed him again. This time, Blais headed to the Bleu-blanc-rouge’s farm team in the American Hockey League. It is not yet known whether he will be part of the Rocket’s starting line-up tonight against the Utica Comets at Place Bell. Blais has scored three goals and five assists in 21 games with the Maple Leafs and the Canadiens so far this season. He also has three goals and six assists in nine games with the Rocket. The Montmagny native had been scratched from the Canadiens’ starting line-up for the last eight games. Blais has not worn the tricolour uniform since Jan. 15, in a 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Blais was selected in the sixth round, 176th overall, by the St. Louis Blues in the 2014 NHL Draft. In 278 regular-season NHL games with the Blues, New York Rangers, Maple Leafs, and Canadiens, the 6-foot-2, 206-pound forward has scored 30 goals and recorded 49 assists. He also added three goals and five assists in 27 playoff games. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Feb. 4, 2026.
