After being claimed off waivers by the Montreal Canadiens, veteran winger Samuel Blais didn’t waste any time making an impact with the Laval Rocket. With Montreal’s injury list growing longer by the week, a number of Laval’s top contributors - including Jared Davidson, Florian Xhekaj, and Adam Engstrom - have been called up to the NHL roster. That’s left Laval head coach Pascal Vincent navigating a thinner lineup, so Blais’ arrival couldn’t have come at a better time.
And he didn’t just show up - he showed out.
In his first game with Laval over the weekend, Blais lit the lamp twice, including the shootout winner, helping the Rocket secure a much-needed win over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The following night, he stayed hot, picking up two assists in a 4-3 win over the Hershey Bears. It was a complete performance from the Montmagny native - he finished with a plus-three rating, recorded a shot on goal, and even drew an offsetting minor for interference after mixing it up with David Gucciardi.
This kind of immediate production is exactly what Laval needed. With so many regulars up with the Canadiens, Blais brought a stabilizing presence to a lineup that’s been in flux. His experience, physicality, and offensive instincts gave the Rocket a jolt, and it showed in the standings: back-to-back wins vaulted Laval into fifth place in the league and first in the AHL’s Northern Division, two points ahead of the Syracuse Crunch and just five points back of the league’s top spot.
Saturday’s game against Lehigh Valley was a showcase of Blais’ two-way game. He fired three shots on net, finished with a plus-two rating, and was the difference-maker in the shootout. That kind of clutch performance is part of what makes him such a valuable depth piece - and it’s why the Canadiens may soon be giving him another look at the NHL level.
With Alexandre Texier recently inserted into the Canadiens’ lineup, Jared Davidson has found himself a healthy scratch in back-to-back games. That’s not an ideal situation for a young player who needs consistent ice time to continue developing. At 29, Blais is far better suited for a 13th forward role - someone who can step in when needed, contribute in short bursts, and not have his development impacted by sitting in the press box.
For now, Blais is doing exactly what the Canadiens hoped he would: bringing veteran leadership and production to Laval, helping the Rocket stay competitive while the big club deals with injuries. Whether he’s back in Montreal soon or continues anchoring Laval’s top six, he’s proving his value.
Next up, the Rocket are back on home ice Tuesday night for a matchup against the Providence Bruins. With Blais in the fold and momentum on their side, Laval will look to keep climbing.