Quebecer Samuel Blais was traded to the New York Rangers with a second-round draft pick in the 2022 National League draft in return for forward Pavel Buchnevich, who joins the St. Louis Blues.
The Russian player is the biggest chunk of that deal, setting career highs in 2020-2021 with 48 points in just 54 games. However, Buchnevich’s contract will expire on July 28 and he will become a free agent with compensation.
The 26-year-old right-winger will certainly be asking for more money than the $ 3.25 million he made last season.
The Blues’ late sixth-round pick (176th overall) in 2014, Blais has made his niche in Missouri during the last two campaigns. The Montmagny native played a supporting role with the team, but his efficiency saw him win the Stanley Cup in 2019.
Blais has also set career highs with eight goals and 15 points in 36 games in 2020-21. An upper body injury, however, made him miss a few meetings at the end of the campaign.
The former Victoriaville Tigres and Charlottetown Islanders will become a compensated free agent at the end of next season. He will join a few Quebecers in New York, notably forwards Alexis Lafrenière and Julien Gauthier.
– .
