PTO: [VAN] F Sammy Blais and Dylan Ferguson sign PTOs with the Canucks; 11 others invited to camp

[BonMorrison]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1826661967253369256

https://x.com/i/web/status/1836608770077790217

Sammy Blais - (signed to AHL Abbotsford)
Dylan Ferguson - (free agent)
John Stevens - (signed to AHL Abbotsford)
Chase Wouters - (signed to AHL Abbotsford)
Carsen Twarynski - (signed to AHL Abbotsford)
Deagen McMillan - (ATO)
Ty Halaburda - (ATO)
Cooper Walker - (signed to AHL Abbotsford)
Dino Kambeitz - (signed to AHL Abbotsford)
Layton Ahac - (signed to AHL Abbotsford)
Joe Arntsen - (signed to AHL Abbotsford)
Zach Berzolla - (signed to AHL Abbotsford)
Jonathan Lemiuex - (signed to AHL Abbotsford)

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[Buresflyingelbow]

20 points in 31 games the year before on the Blues. Definitely a Podkolzin replacement and a good bet to make the team over PDG. Can throw the body too.

 

[LuLover96]

Canucks are sitting at 47/50 contracts and need room for Willander/TDL acquisitions later on. Good player but I don’t think he signs an NHL deal with us barring an exceptional camp. Good chance to showcase his stuff for another team though, he is a mean SOB!

 

[Buresflyingelbow]

Canucks are sitting at 47/50 contracts and need room for Willander/TDL acquisitions later on. Good player but I don’t think he signs an NHL deal with us barring an exceptional camp. Good chance to showcase his stuff for another team though, he is a mean SOB!

Him and Sherwood on the 4th line would be menacing in a playoff series. I think he has more intangibles than PDG because of his heavy game. No risk with some reward here.

 

[Breakers]

Isnt this the cat that was the main return for Bucnevich?

 

[SML2]

Isnt this the cat that was the main return for Bucnevich?

That was before Subban wrecked his knee.

 

[Breakers]

h

 

[BCNate]

Probably doesn't amount to much, but competition in camp is never a bad thing. He will bring some nasty compete to his tryout.

 

[LickTheEnvelope]

Just a decent vet to have on the farm. If he has rehabbed well he might get a look in the NHL at some point. As noted, has knee issues which limited effectiveness now.

 

[joestevens29]

Canucks are sitting at 47/50 contracts and need room for Willander/TDL acquisitions later on. Good player but I don’t think he signs an NHL deal with us barring an exceptional camp. Good chance to showcase his stuff for another team though, he is a mean SOB!

Contracts really only matter to fans. I can recall one time in the last 20 years that it became an issue.

When Bryzgalov was waived I think the Oilers had 50 contracts and couldn't grab him. Other than that it's been a non-factor.

TDL you just trade one of your D level prospects to even shit out.

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

I love what the Canucks have done with the forward group.

Lindholm is a big loss but they have much more depth, more grit, and more legit options to move things around.

Blais isn't a sure thing but we'll see where he's at, maybe he can rediscover his game & add to that group.

 

[innitfam]

What does him signing an AHL deal mean in the context of him potentially in the NHL this year?

 

[JKG33]

Great spot for him. I could see him outproducing his contract in a similar role to Joshua. Hell I wouldn't be surprised if he wound up as a complimentary piece in the top 6.

I thought for sure he'd follow Berube to Toronto

 

[PAZ]

Wasn't there a rumor he was heading to the KHL?

 

[Warh1ppy]

Low risk signing for the Canucks. if I recall he was a solid skater for a 4th line player; and that knee injury really derailed him for a couple seasons. He is still a big boy that is an NHL calibre skater and can rub people against the boards and punish them; but it's hard to say he'll ever be the mobile kind of 4th line energy guy he was.

 

[SirPaste]

Big Play Sammy Blais! I have no idea what happened to him last season as he looked really good when he first came back from NYR the year before. Hopefully he can rebound and carve out a niche as a bottom 6 guy, he is big and will throw his body around, usually led the team in hits. Also has a sneaky shot, there is potential there to score some goals but last year he just looked lost all season. Either way a low risk move for Van, hopefully it works out for him.

 

[jackjohnson]

Him and Sherwood on the 4th line would be menacing in a playoff series. I think he has more intangibles than PDG because of his heavy game. No risk with some reward here.

Sami Blais and Sherwood would make life miserable for Bouchard. Both have speed and hit hard. Canucks will have 2 big, gritty and fast lines for a bottom 6

Joshua-Blueger-Garland
Blais-Suter-Sherwood

 

[SirPaste]

What does him signing an AHL deal mean in the context of him potentially in the NHL this year?

Basically just insurance for him as if he doesn't make the team he is already guaranteed a deal with the AHL squad instead of basically becoming a UFA again and starting from scratch.

 

[Regal]

Dude was full value in the bubble playoffs. Hoping he can get back to that

 

[innitfam]

Basically just insurance for him as if he doesn't make the team he is already guaranteed a deal with the AHL squad instead of basically becoming a UFA again and starting from scratch.

Gotcha but he would need to sign an NHL deal to play for Vancouver?

 

[stl76]

Gotcha but he would need to sign an NHL deal to play for Vancouver?

Yes, in order to play in the NHL he would then need to sign a deal with that NHL team.

Worth noting that any NHL team could potentially sign him and I believe it would supersede his AHL contract.

 

[RobertKron]

Gotcha but he would need to sign an NHL deal to play for Vancouver?

It’s kind of a nice deal for both sides. If he doesn’t make the team, the Canucks don’t have to waive him to get him down to the farm club, and he gets the security of knowing that he’ll be living in Vancouver all year either way.

 

[SML2]

I thought a player on a PTO had the option to sign with any NHL team that offered him a contract. How's that work if he has an AHL deal with a team already?

 

[cc]

I have low expectations. If he works hard, finishes checks and is not a complete liability in his own zone, he might make the Canucks team.

 

[izzy]

man blais would have massively benefited going to an expansion team. he will do what it takes to be useful in whatever role he can get.

he went from drafted as an undersized skill player to being one of the most consistent hitters per 60 in the league and did thrive when given opportunity on hisbreturn to st louis.

I still believe a team can get real value out of sammy if they can get him in a proper spot for an extended period of time