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Vancouver Canucks officially terminate veteran power forward's professional tryout offer

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Samer Dagher
September 30, 2024 (6:42 PM)

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Photo credit: NHL.com

Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin announced on Monday afternoon that the club has surprisingly released veteran Sammy Blais from his professional tryout offer (PTO).

The Canucks have officially terminated forward Sammy Blais' professional tryout offer which will release the veteran power forward to free agency.

Sammy Blais, 28, came into Canucks training camp hoping to secure a spot on the NHL roster, where several bottom-six positions were up for grabs. The Canucks also had high hopes for him.

«He's an experienced guy, played games on a contending team in St Louis a couple of years ago,» GM Patrik Allvin said ahead of training camp. «It's a great opportunity for him. I think what he contributes to on the ice is the way we want to play. We want to be hard to play against and he is a checker. So there is, there's an opportunity for him.»

Unfortunately, Blais struggled to showcase the aggressive, fast-paced play he's known for. Since winning the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019, he's dealt with multiple injuries and has had trouble staying consistent. Blais mentioned before this camp that he's feeling better than he has in a while after tearing his ACL two and a half years ago.

«This summer was pretty much like the first summer where I really felt good. I tore my ACL two and a half years ago, was a pretty tough break for me. When I got traded to the [New York] Rangers, I think I was playing good when I got hurt, and coming back from that, that injury was pretty hard, but now I feel good and I feel confident on the ice.»

Still relatively young at 28, Blais will now head to the AHL, hoping to earn his way back to the NHL. Over his 257 NHL games, he's scored 27 goals, added 44 assists, and racked up 122 penalty minutes.

Previously on PuckReporter

Leafs release top first round prospect from their training camp roster

Sources confirm Montreal Canadiens star Patrik Laine out for the rest of the calendar year

Bruins release former Leafs goaltender from his PTO and announce their starter for game 1 of the season

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30 SEPTEMBRE \| 136 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks officially terminate veteran power forward's professional tryout offer Do you think another team will sign Sammy Blais following his tryout termination from the Vancouver Canucks?
Yes	72	52.9 %
No	64	47.1 %
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