samuel blais

Samuel Blais: The Canadiens' Waiver Wire Rollercoaster and What It Means for the Habs

In the high-stakes world of the National Hockey League, roster management is as crucial as the action on the ice. For the Montreal Canadiens and Quebec-born forward Samuel Blais, the month of February 2026 has been a masterclass in the unpredictable nature of the waiver system. With the Canadiens placing Blais on waivers for the third time this season, the narrative surrounding the 29-year-old winger has shifted from a promising homecoming to a complex logistical puzzle for General Manager Kent Hughes.

This article breaks down the latest developments regarding Samuel Blais, analyzing the verified timeline, the context of his tenure in Montreal, and the strategic implications for the Habs as they navigate the 2025-26 season.

Main Narrative: A Cycle of Uncertainty

The core story surrounding Samuel Blais right now is one of volatility. In early February 2026, the Montreal Canadiens officially placed the forward on waivers. This move, reported by trusted local sources including La Presse, RDS, and TVA Sports, marks a significant moment in Blais's season.

For the Canadiens, this is a routine procedural move designed to provide roster flexibility. For Blais, however, it represents a challenging season of uncertainty. Having signed a one-year deal with Montreal in the summer of 2025, expectations were high for a player looking to revitalize his career on a team where he could find a regular role. Instead, Blais has found himself in a "paper trail" loop—waived, claimed, and subsequently waived again.

The significance of this situation extends beyond the player himself. It serves as a window into the ruthless efficiency of modern NHL roster management, where salary cap considerations and injury replacements dictate a player's movement more than performance alone. As the Canadiens look to integrate younger talent and manage the returns of injured stars, veterans like Blais often find themselves on the bubble.

Recent Updates: The Waiver Timeline

To understand the current situation, it is essential to look at the chronological sequence of events that led to Blais’s current status. Based on verified reports from RDS and La Presse, the timeline is as follows:

1. Summer 2025 Signing: Samuel Blais signed a one-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens, hoping to secure a spot on the team's bottom six.
2. Pre-Season Waivers (October 2025): Despite a solid training camp, Blais was placed on waivers at the end of the pre-season. He was subsequently claimed by the Toronto Maple Leafs, a move that reunited him with a familiar organization but took him away from his hometown team.
3. The Return (Late 2025/Early 2026): The Canadiens reclaimed Blais off waivers from Toronto. However, rather than placing him in the NHL lineup immediately, the team assigned him to their AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket.
4. February 2026 Waiver Placement: Most recently, the Canadiens placed Blais on waivers yet again. Reports from RDS suggest this move was necessitated by roster constraints, potentially linked to the impending return of other players from injury, such as Patrik Laine.

According to reports from La Presse, this latest waiver placement is the third instance this season. The fact that Blais has been waived multiple times in a single campaign highlights the precarious nature of his contract status.

Contextual Background: The Blais Trajectory

To fully grasp the current situation, one must look at Samuel Blais’s career arc. Born in Montmagny, Quebec, Blais is a product of the QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League), having played for the Saint John Sea Dogs. His journey to the NHL began with the St. Louis Blues, who selected him in the sixth round (176th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Blais enjoyed his most significant NHL success with the Blues. He was a member of the 2019 Stanley Cup-winning team, contributing to the bottom six with his physical style of play and offensive instincts. Over his career, Blais has played over 250 NHL games, scoring 71 goals and 122 points, according to data from Hockey-Reference.com and HockeyDB.

However, his career took a turn following a significant injury. After being traded to the New York Rangers, Blais suffered an ACL tear that sidelined him for a considerable period. While he has since returned to health, finding consistent NHL ice time has been a challenge.

The "Hometown Hero" Expectation

When Blais signed with Montreal in 2025, there was a narrative that he would be a "hometown hero"—a Quebec-born player adding grit and depth to the Canadiens. However, the reality of the salary cap and the logjam of young forwards in the Canadiens' system made his path difficult.

• The NHL's Waiver System: For those unfamiliar, the waiver system allows teams with lower salaries to claim a player off another team's roster. Given Blais’s experience and NHL pedigree, he is often attractive to teams needing depth. However, his salary (though not the highest) makes him a risk for teams right against the cap.
• The Laval Factor: Assigning Blais to Laval was intended to keep him in game shape. In the AHL, Blais has been productive, showcasing that he still possesses the skills to compete at a professional level. This performance is what keeps him on the radar of other NHL clubs when he is placed on waivers.

Immediate Effects: Roster Math and Team Dynamics

The immediate impact of placing Samuel Blais on waivers is purely transactional, but the ripple effects are felt throughout the organization.

1. Roster Flexibility for Kent Hughes By placing Blais on waivers, General Manager Kent Hughes creates an open roster spot. This flexibility is crucial as the Canadiens manage injuries and potential trades leading up to the NHL trade deadline. If Blais is claimed, the Habs clear his contract off the books entirely. If he clears waivers, he can be assigned to the Laval Rocket, giving the organization depth in the AHL.

2. The "Waiver Loop" Phenomenon For Blais, the immediate effect is psychological and professional instability. Being placed on waivers three times in one season is a rare and stressful occurrence. It signals that the player is not in the team's long-term plans for the NHL roster at that specific moment. For the player, it means waiting by the phone, unsure if they will be packing bags for a new city or a bus ride to the AHL.

3. Impact on Laval Rocket If Blais clears waivers and reports to Laval, the Rocket benefit immensely. Blais is an NHL-caliber player dominating AHL competition. This elevates the play of the surrounding AHL prospects and provides leadership for the younger players in the Canadiens' pipeline.

4. Patrik Laine and the Injury Return Factor Reports from supplementary research indicate that this waiver move was heavily influenced by the return of Patrik Laine. The Canadiens, like all NHL teams, must maintain a 23-man roster limit. When a star player like Laine returns from injury, a roster move is required. In this case, Blais was the odd man out. This highlights the harsh reality of the NHL: when high-salary players return, lower-salary depth players often pay the price.

Future Outlook: What’s Next for Samuel Blais?

As the waiver process unfolds, several potential scenarios could impact Samuel Blais and the Montreal Canadiens.

Scenario A: Claimed by Another NHL Team If a team in need of bottom-six grit and veteran presence—such as a contender facing injuries or a rebuilding team needing a mentor—places a claim on Blais, he will join a new organization. While this would mean leaving Montreal, it would offer him a fresh start and a legitimate chance to play in the NHL regularly. Teams like the Ottawa Senators or Buffalo Sabres, looking for Quebec connections and depth, could be potential fits, though this is speculative.

Scenario B: Clears Waivers and Joins Laval Permanently If Blais clears waivers, he will report to the Laval Rocket. In this scenario, his role shifts to that of a veteran leader in the AHL. While this is not the NHL dream, it is a vital role for the development of the Canadiens' prospects. Blais would likely remain a call-up option for the remainder of the 2025-26 season, serving as insurance against injuries.

Scenario C: A Surprise Trade While less likely given the waiver placement, a trade is still possible. If a team claims Blais, they assume his contract. However, the Canadiens could also work out a trade with a claiming team, though this is a complex process. If Blais is not claimed, the Canadiens retain his rights and could trade him before the deadline, though his waiver status makes this difficult.

Strategic Implications for the Canadiens The handling of Samuel Blais signals the Canadiens' commitment to their youth movement. With a wealth of