Montreal, QC — The suspense that gripped Canadiens fans for the past 24 hours has finally broken: Samuel Blais and Cayden Primeau have been claimed off waivers by none other than the Toronto Maple Leafs, intensifying an already fierce rivalry.
As is often the case in the NHL, the biggest news dropped around 2 PM, confirming what many feared. The Canadiens’ decision to proceed with 13 forwards left Blais exposed, and Toronto wasted no time in adding both him and Primeau to their roster.
Renaud Lavoie offered insight into the move, pointing to a familiar connection: “The link between Samuel Blais and the Maple Leafs is very simple. Craig Berube was his coach with the St. Louis Blues and has always had good things to say about him.”
Marco D’Amico echoed the concern
many in Montreal are feeling: “This was the risk I believed could happen with Samuel Blais, should the Canadiens decide to go with 13 forwards. He showed good things at camp and has been claimed by Toronto, along with Cayden Primeau, to add to their depth.”
The loss of Blais stings not only for what he brought on the ice, but for where he’s headed. Seeing him in a Leafs jersey adds salt to the wound for Canadiens fans, who now watch a promising player strengthen a direct rival.
With the regular season looming, this roster shake-up could have ripple effects for both franchises. For Montreal, the challenge now is to regroup and recalibrate. For Toronto, it’s a strategic gain that could pay dividends in depth and chemistry.