Sammy Blais

Originally traded to the Rangers from St. Louis in the Pavel Buchnevich deal, Blais' infamous run in New York famously came to a conclusion with him failing to score a goal in 54 games with the team over parts of two seasons. He was returned to the Blues in the Vladimir Tarasenko deal this past February and promptly scored in his first game back in his old haunts. Blais has little fantasy value, but he's a better player than he showed during his time in the Big Apple. Expect roughly a dozen goals, 25-30 points and 200-plus hits from him in 2023-24.

The key piece coming back from St. Louis in the ill-fated Pavel Buchnevich trade, Blais tore his ACL in a mid-November game against the Devils and missed the rest of the 2021-22 season. All told, he failed to score and managed just four assists in 14 games in his first season with the Rangers. Blais was close to returning during New York's deep postseason run, so it's not a surprise that he's expected to be 100 percent healthy for the upcoming campaign. The Rangers are reportedly considering putting Blais on their top line alongside Mike Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, so keep an eye on him heading into the regular season.

Blais had an interesting season in 2020-21. He dealt with multiple injuries, a false positive COVID-19 test, and a two-game suspension. All told, he posted eight goals, 15 points and 103 hits in 36 games with the Blues. The goal total was a direct result of an unsustainable 25.8 shooting percentage. In their quest for "toughness", the Rangers shipped Pavel Buchnevich to the Blues in exchange for Blais and a second-round pick in late July. Buchnevich is a legitimate top-line forward and was one of New York's most popular players, making the trade all the more baffling. Blais should be a regular in the Rangers' lineup, likely playing on the fourth line alongside the likes of Kevin Rooney, Ryan Reaves and perhaps rookie Morgan Barron. That's not a position in the lineup that will lead to much fantasy production.

Blais came out of the gate hot last season, ringing up five goals and three assists over the first 14 games. A November wrist injury stymied his momentum, and he posted just five points over the final 26 regular-season games. Those latter games are on par for Blais' capabilities. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound winger causes havoc on the ice -- he averaged nearly four hits per game last season -- but he won't fill the net at a consistent rate. Expect Blais to spend a bulk of his time in the bottom six this year after signing a two-year, $3 million contract extension last April.

Blais has been a strong minor-league player over the last two years, totaling 58 points in 68 games. His potential earned him 32 games with the Blues, where he filled into a bottom-six checking role, dishing out 93 hits while serving just six PIM. The 23-year-old also suited up for the final 15 games of the Stanley Cup run, notching three points and adding 70 more hits. Blais' grit has a place with the Blues, and he should have a solid chance of sticking with the big club after training camp.

St. Louis was high on Blais making the team out of camp in 2017-18, and he played 10 games with the big club before the calendar flip. However, after a Dec. 16 outing where he suffered a concussion, the 22-year-old was called up for just one more game. Blais finished with one goal and two apples in those 11 games, but his time with AHL San Antonio (17 goals and 40 points in 42 games) was much more productive. Blais has the looks of developing into a strong, middle-six forward, and a strong preseason should force the Blues to keep him in with the big club. He could snag a third line role if Robby Fabbri, who is returning from two torn ACLs, isn't ready to begin the season.