Feb 25, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Drew O'Connor (10) is checked by St. Louis Blues left wing Sammy Blais (79) during the third period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
I happened to be poking around on PuckPedia, glancing at the rosters of NHL teams with no particular aim in mind when I saw a development that immediately grabbed my attention.
The St. Louis Blues have opted not to re-sign UFA forward Sammy Blais.
Sammy who you ask?
I’ll gladly tell ya. He’s a speedy, 28-year-old sparkplug left wing with a penchant for hitting and stirring the pot.
A play-driver he’s not. A pile-driver, he is.
Indeed, the 6’2” 206-pounder’s been known to blow up a foe or two from the force of his hits. He’s delivered a ton of ‘em over the course of his 257 games in the NHL…835 to be exact. An average of 267 per 82-game season.
Last season “Blazer” dished out 194 hits for the Blues in only 53 games and 238 in 2022-23.
We have enough guys competing for bottom-six jobs, you say? I’ll agree, but only in part. Adding Blais to the mix alongside recent addition Blake Lizotte and incumbent Noel Acciari would create an edgy, buzz-saw fourth line, the likes of which haven’t been seen in these parts for a long time and maybe never. A trio that would hit with gusto and hound foes on the forecheck while providing a much-needed shot of adrenalin.
As for offense? Although Blais scored only one goal for St. Louis last season (while averaging 9:41 of ice time), he’s also experienced some productive stretches. In ’19-20 he notched six goals in 40 games for the Cup-winning Blues and eight in 36 games the following season.
After being reacquired by St. Louis in February ’23 following a two-year stay on Broadway, the feisty winger piled up a very respectable nine goals and 20 points in 31 games while seeing middle-six duty.
Given that there hasn’t been a rush to secure his services, the native of Montmagny, Quebec, could probably be signed to a bargain contract…perhaps even for the league minimum.
Would signing Blais give us a leg up in our quest for a playoff berth?
Maybe. Maybe not. But he sure as shootin’ would add some fire and dash and make us more fun to watch.
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Hey Rick,
I do understand your desire for Dubas to go after Blais and if I thought the Pens had a ghost of a chance to make a run for the Cup I may be inclined to agree with you. Signing a 28 yr old human missile when you are challenging for a Cup is a no brainer. However, on this team, a team that will be fighting to keep its head above 500 if Jarry isn't dealt and dealt soon is as the Moody Blues added in the soliloquy at the end of Nights in White Satin "Another day's useless energy's spent". I would rather have seen the Penguins draft Maverick Lamoureux and Quinten Musty and be going after Rutger McGroarty. I would rather see the team employing early 20 something's, with grit and jam, about ready to break into their own than a bottom 6 veteran now a season removed from his prime.
Sullivan wasted the remaining years of the Core's real window with his hubris and GM after GM showed pathetic weakness in not making a change to give the big 3 one more Cup run. By the time this team is once again relevant, in terms of a Cup run, Blais will be out of the league or at least nothing more than a notation at the bottom of the roster.
Hey Other Rick,
"Human torpedo" is a very apt description of Blais. Wish I'd thought of it... :)
Rick