Blade of Steel has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL or NHLPA
Forgotten Toronto Maple Leafs Forward Now Projected to Make His Debut on Tuesday
Photo credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
With injuries to William Nylander and Calle Jarnkrok plaguing the Toronto Maple Leafs, there is one forward who stands to benefit from finally making his debut.
When Scott Laughton went down with an injury at the start of the Toronto Maple Leafs' season, the team had to go out and get another forward.
In the end, they opted for Sammy Blais off waivers, who was put there by the team's most historic rival, the Montreal Canadiens.
Blais was an interesting fit for the Leafs as he is a gritty fourth-line guy who can throw the body around and get in fights. Not to mention, he played for Craig Berube in St. Louis.
Sammy Blais enters the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup
Unfortunately, Blais has been unable to get any playing time in Toronto so far. He has been a healthy scratch in the first nine games of the Maple Leafs' season.
However, it appears as though that is about to change. We know this because on Monday, the Maple Leafs showed off their lineup, which included Blais on the fourth line with Steven Lorentz and Max Domi.
William Nylander is a maybe for tomorrow night against the Calgary Flames, while Jarnkrok is very likely to be out. If both players are ruled out on game day, Blais will make his debut.
McMann - Matthews - Robertson
Knies - Tavares - Maccelli
Joshua - Roy - Cowan
Lorentz - Domi - Blais
Nylander rotating in with top line
Benoit - McCabe
Rielly - Myers
Ekman-Larsson - Carlo
Mermis
Stolarz
Primeau
Woll
Knies - Tavares - Maccelli
Joshua - Roy - Cowan
Lorentz - Domi - Blais
Nylander rotating in with top line
Benoit - McCabe
Rielly - Myers
Ekman-Larsson - Carlo
Mermis
Stolarz
Primeau
Woll
This is a great opportunity for Blais, who is likely to be sent down to the AHL once Scott Laughton comes back. If he plays a good game, perhaps the Leafs keep him around and send someone else down.
The Leafs could use some grit this season, and Blais is the perfect guy to throw in and protect the goaltender.
There is no guarantee that he has a big game, although we are certainly looking forward to watching him on the ice.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 27 | 173 ANSWERS Forgotten Toronto Maple Leafs Forward Now Projected to Make His Debut on Tuesday Do you believe Sammy Blais deserves more playing time from the Toronto Maple Leafs? | ||
| YES | 119 | 68.8 % |
| NO | 54 | 31.2 % |
| List of polls | ||