With injuries to William Nylander and Calle Jarnkrok plaguing the Toronto Maple Leafs, there is one forward who stands to benefit from finally making his debut.
In the end, they opted for Sammy Blais off waivers, who was put there by the team's most historic rival, the Montreal Canadiens.
Blais was an interesting fit for the Leafs as he is a gritty fourth-line guy who can throw the body around and get in fights. Not to mention, he played for Craig Berube in St. Louis.
Sammy Blais enters the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup
Unfortunately, Blais has been unable to get any playing time in Toronto so far. He has been a healthy scratch in the first nine games of the Maple Leafs' season.
However, it appears as though that is about to change. We know this because on Monday, the Maple Leafs showed off their lineup, which included Blais on the fourth line with Steven Lorentz and Max Domi.
McMann - Matthews - Robertson Knies - Tavares - Maccelli Joshua - Roy - Cowan Lorentz - Domi - Blais Nylander rotating in with top line
Benoit - McCabe Rielly - Myers Ekman-Larsson - Carlo Mermis
Stolarz Primeau Woll
This is a great opportunity for Blais, who is likely to be sent down to the AHL once Scott Laughton comes back. If he plays a good game, perhaps the Leafs keep him around and send someone else down.
The Leafs could use some grit this season, and Blais is the perfect guy to throw in and protect the goaltender.
There is no guarantee that he has a big game, although we are certainly looking forward to watching him on the ice.