The 25-year-old native of Montmagny, Blais scored eight goals and 15 points last season, in 36 matches.
He will pocket $ 1.5 million in 2021-22.
Buchnevich has provided 20 goals and 48 points in 54 games.
The Rangers also put defenseman Tony DeAngelo on unconditional waiver, in an effort to compensate the last year of his contract.
Hours earlier, they introduced their new striker Barclay Goodrow, who signed a $ 21.6 million contract.
Former general manager Jeff Gorton said in February that DeAngelo played his last game for Rangers.
DeAngelo was involved in an undisclosed incident, was not claimed on the regular waiver, and then assigned to the reserve team. He was told not to show up, however.
Compensating his contract saves the Rangers just over $ 4.4 million for next season.
Goodrow counts for $ 3.6 million per year at the salary cap level.
DeAngelo will be able to join any club as a free agent when the market opens on Wednesday. In 2019-20, he provided 15 goals and 53 points, in 68 appearances.
Led by Artemi Panarin on offense and Adam Fox on defense, the Rangers have plenty of players capable of producing.
They also count in particular on the young Alexis Lafrenière, who had a rookie season of 12 goals and 21 points.
What they needed was a player known for his surly side.
Hence the hiring of Goodrow, who, along with Blake Coleman, was the “last piece” of the puzzle to aspire to the cup, according to Lightning coach Jon Cooper.
Coleman, Goodrow and new Kraken center Yanni Gourde formed a third line that gave rivals headaches en route to back-to-back championships for Tampa Bay.
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