Player Discussion Sammy Blais

[Vitto79]

Game 6 hopefully ?

 

[Peltz]

When he does return, the big question will be is he going too continue to be the same player? That was a bad injury. He's a physical player. He's was exceptional at timing big hits. Is he stillgoing to play with that reckless abandon style?

I'm actually worried about throwing a player who hasn't played in 9 months into a very intense playoff situation when he hasn't had any time to reacclimate to the game or play with his linemates. Yes, he's a pro, but at the same time, he just hasn't played a hockey game in forever.

And who do you sit for him?

 

[hockeyplayer999]

Any word on game time for game 6

 

[GAGLine]

Any word on game time for game 6

It supposedly depends on whether or not Edmonton wins tonight. If they lose, we play at 7 and they play after. If they win, we play at 8 since we'll be the only game that night.

 

[KevinFinnerty]

If we get Sammy back this series, it's Over for Carolina. The dude is pure energy to a team. Let's go champ!

 

[n8]

If we get Sammy back this series, it's Over for Carolina. The dude is pure energy to a team. Let's go champ!

also a Stanley Cup champ. Him and Goodrow bring some of that champion's spirit in with them.

 

[RangerLifer]

I'm actually worried about throwing a player who hasn't played in 9 months into a very intense playoff situation when he hasn't had any time to reacclimate to the game or play with his linemates. Yes, he's a pro, but at the same time, he just hasn't played a hockey game in forever.

And who do you sit for him?

He'll be ITCHING to get back in.

 

[lakai17]

As long as he doesn’t end up in the penalty box too much he’s great for the team definitely

 

[leetch99]

His energy would be wicked....imagine inserting him , Brodz and the Gauthier in the lineup .

 

[SlingshotVv]

And who do you sit for him?

If Blais were available today, here’s the situation as I see it.

Kakko’s game is downlow, possession player. Every time he gets the puck hash marks down, he shows his vision, his puck shielding, and his hands/passing. However the Chytil line is not a down low possession line.

Kreider - Zib - Kakko

That would be such an interesting line.

Stick Blais with Chytil and Laffy.

Now the kids get a speedy big body that can bring some havok on the ice. Straight line, north south.

Vatrano gets a game or two in the press box. Comes back as needed.

 

[RagFinMet]

If Blais were available today, here’s the situation as I see it.

Kakko’s game is downlow, possession player. Every time he gets the puck hash marks down, he shows his vision, his puck shielding, and his hands/passing. However the Chytil line is not a down low possession line.

Kreider - Zib - Kakko

That would be such an interesting line.

Stick Blais with Chytil and Laffy.

Now the kids get a speedy big body that can bring some havok on the ice. Straight line, north south.

Vatrano gets a game or two in the press box. Comes back as needed.

Interesting thought
But
Kk played on that line before and didnt look like a fit
And i dont wanna take our only shoot first player who also has speed out of the line-up
And i think the kid line had been the only line to consistently cycle down low
Kk and chy's big asses are huge down there
I do believe blais would be a good fit with laf and chy but its the only line kk has fit on so he's either there or in the press box.
My preference as with most is to sit reaves but that wont happen

 

[tomobson]

If Blais were available today, here’s the situation as I see it.

Kakko’s game is downlow, possession player. Every time he gets the puck hash marks down, he shows his vision, his puck shielding, and his hands/passing. However the Chytil line is not a down low possession line.

Kreider - Zib - Kakko

That would be such an interesting line.

Stick Blais with Chytil and Laffy.

Now the kids get a speedy big body that can bring some havok on the ice. Straight line, north south.

Vatrano gets a game or two in the press box. Comes back as needed.

I don't know about this. Kreider and Mika look lost to me in the offensive zone unless they are coming off the rush or on the pp. Kakko was playing at his best when that line came together earlier in the year and Kreider and Mika couldn't figure out how to play with Kakko. Kakko was a possession monster with that line but Mika was just standing still waiting for a miracle pass instead of playing with Kakko to break down the defense.

 

[NYR2007]

So has Blais been taking contact in practice ? I feel like our beat writers have dropped the ball on info lately

 

[cwede]

So has Blais been taking contact in practice ? I feel like our beat writers have dropped the ball on info lately

, IIRC Blais skated w extras in non-contact jersey this week
sorry not finding link with a quick search

 

[ThirdEye]

Blais could be a potential X-factor in the next series if we can get past the Canes. We'll need every little bit of help to have any hope of beating a super well rested and experienced Tampa team.

Doubt he'll make any sort of difference if he plays game 7 though. If anything, a massive game 7 is not the time for a player to be shaking their rust off - more chance it ends up hurting us than helping.

 

[will1066]

As long as he doesn’t end up in the penalty box too much he’s great for the team definitely

As long as he doesn't take or cause 1,000 offsides he's great for the team definitely

 

[The New Russian Five]

Blais could be a potential X-factor in the next series if we can get past the Canes. We'll need every little bit of help to have any hope of beating a super well rested and experienced Tampa team.

Doubt he'll make any sort of difference if he plays game 7 though. If anything, a massive game 7 is not the time for a player to be shaking their rust off - more chance it ends up hurting us than helping.

Probably also why he should start on the 4th line when he gets back in the lineup. Limit his minutes and ease him back in.

Motte-Goodrow-Blais 4th line would be no joke.

 

[egelband]

If Blais were available today, here’s the situation as I see it.

Kakko’s game is downlow, possession player. Every time he gets the puck hash marks down, he shows his vision, his puck shielding, and his hands/passing. However the Chytil line is not a down low possession line.

Kreider - Zib - Kakko

That would be such an interesting line.

Stick Blais with Chytil and Laffy.

Now the kids get a speedy big body that can bring some havok on the ice. Straight line, north south.

Vatrano gets a game or two in the press box. Comes back as needed.

I don’t think game seven is an appropriate time to make big changes. But those lines you suggest are interesting for sure.

 

[egelband]

Probably also why he should start on the 4th line when he gets back in the lineup. Limit his minutes and ease him back in.

Motte-Goodrow-Blais 4th line would be no joke.

Yes. All true.
The playoffs is a tough time to get injured players back into the lineup. Motte was only out a few weeks, and Goodrow even less. But Blais has been out all season so it’s a much tougher decision.

 

[RangersFan1994]

What are the chances Blais surprises and makes his Rangers playoff debut tomorrow? No one knew about Goodrow coming back for game 6.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

What are the chances Blais surprises and makes his Rangers playoff debut tomorrow? No one knew about Goodrow coming back for game 6.

Very low. I'd put it at 0.000000001%.

I don't even think hes taken contact yet and throwing him in a winner take all game is just too big of a risk.

If they win tomorrow, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he plays at some point in the ECF.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Blais did make the trip with the team but Gallant just said in his media presser he won’t play tomorrow.

I could see him maybe coming back next series assuming the Rangers make it past Carolina

 

[Narcissus]

Interesting thought
But
Kk played on that line before and didnt look like a fit
And i dont wanna take our only shoot first player who also has speed out of the line-up
And i think the kid line had been the only line to consistently cycle down low
Kk and chy's big asses are huge down there
I do believe blais would be a good fit with laf and chy but its the only line kk has fit on so he's either there or in the press box.
My preference as with most is to sit reaves but that wont happen

Of all the games to sit Reaves it probably makes the most sense for a game 7. No need to send a message, likelihood of an ugly game with dumb penalties low.

Rather have DeAngelo shouting and running his mouth, losing his cool and maybe doing dumb things without the “threat” of Reaves.

 

[RangerLifer]

Yes. All true.
The playoffs is a tough time to get injured players back into the lineup. Motte was only out a few weeks, and Goodrow even less. But Blais has been out all season so it’s a much tougher decision.

As long as he’s medically cleared there’s no way he’ll want to sit out.

 

[RangerLifer]

So has Blais been taking contact in practice ? I feel like our beat writers have dropped the ball on info lately

Injuries in playoff hockey is top secret material. It’s so dumb.