New York Rangers sign Sammy Blais to 1-year deal
The New York Rangers saved a few dollars by getting Sammy Blais to sign an extension for a little less than his qualifying offer of $1.6M.
According to CapFriendly, both sides agreed to a 1-year extension at $1.525M for the 2022-2023 season. It is a one-way contract which means Blais would earn the same salary in the AHL and must clear waivers.
This will also take the gritty forward to unrestricted free agency the following summer.
Rangers sign Sammy Blais
Blais was part of the return from the St. Louis Blues in an unpopular trade for Pavel Buchnevich. The move was for cap saving purposes as Buchnevich subsequently signed a four-year contract with the Blues at an AAV of $5.8 million.
“When I go to the rink, I have a job to do and I just try to do it my best,” Blais said to the NY Post. “I don’t really think about the outside world when I’m at the rink, I just play my game and try to help my team win.”
Unfortunately, he only got to play in 14 games with the Rangers after tearing his ACL back in November. He and P.K. Subban went into the corner to retrieve the puck when the Devils’ defenseman appeared to stick out his skate causing Blais to go hard into the boards leaving him writhing in pain.
“I feel for the kid,” head coach Gerard Gallant said after learning he would need surgery that required 6-8 month to recover. The injury effectively ended his season.
The 25 year-old posted four points this season. He turns 26 tomorrow.
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