Canucks sign former Stanley Cup champion to PTO contract

This just in, the Vancouver Canucks have signed forward Sammy Blais to a professional tryout (PTO) contract. Additionally, they have signed him to an AHL contract with their affiliate Abbotsford Canucks. If Blais doesn't earn himself an NHL contract in training camp, he'll join the Canucks' AHL squad. 

Check it out:

The 28 year old Blais played 53 games for the St. Louis Blues last season, scoring one goal and seven assists.

Read below for our earlier published Canucks story on goaltender Thatcher Demko.

UPDATE: Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal is now reporting that the Canucks have targeted UFA goaltender Kevin Lankinen.

Lankinen spent the past two seasons with the Nashville Predators on a deal that paid him $2 million per season. Given the Canucks' salary cap situation there's no way they can afford to pay him what he made on his previous contract. The Canucks have less than $200,000 in salary cap space as it is, so they'd need to move some money to even sign a league-minimum contract.

Read below for our earlier report on this developing story.

Yesterday, Vancouver Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal reported that the team may be seeking some goaltending depth ahead of the 2024-25 season, as starting goaltender Thatcher Demko has apparently suffered a setback in his injury recovery.

You may recall that Demko was injured during the team's Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Nashville Predators and did not return for the duration of the playoffs. After the Canucks lost Game 7 to the Edmonton Oilers in the second round of the playoffs it was reported that Demko was close to returning to action, but just yesterday Dhaliwal reported that Demko is still not 100% and it's not clear if he'll be ready to start the season on time. The Canucks have just Jiri Patera and Nikita Tolopilo as back up options... not ideal.

So... who's out there?

The Canucks have limited options on the free agent market after walking away from last year's backup Casey DeSmith. There are just a few true NHL quality options out there with Antti Raanta, Kevin Lankinen and Vancouver native Martin Jones at the top of the list. There are rumors that Jones has retired, however. You wonder though if Jones might consider holding off on retirement to join his hometown team. Jones' father Harvey Jones is a long-time Canucks employee and Martin grew up around the team as a young child. Again, you wonder if he'll hold off on retirement to join his Dad on his hometown team.

Then there's the likes of Malcolm Subban, Alex Stalock, Aaron Dell, Dustin Tokarski and Michael Hutchinson. Not exactly world beaters there..

Needless to say the Canucks may be in a desperate situation if Demko isn't healthy to start the season.

Read below for our earlier report on Demko, published yesterday by Hockey Feed staff writer Michael Whitaker.

The Vancouver Canucks are set at the starting goaltender position, as Thatcher Demko looks to take the next step in his career and continue his reputation for being one of the top American-born net minders in the NHL today. 

The Canucks also decided to part ways with backup Casey DeSmith after just one season, while also re-signing Arturs Silovs to a new contract; Silovs would eventually be named Vancouver's starter for the postseason after an injury kept Demko out of action. 

But could GM Patrik Allvin still be looking to make an addition to his goaltending department? Don't be surprised to see it happen, especially given the fact that Demko may not be ready for Training Camp next month, according to Canucks reporter Rick Dhaliwal. 

“[Demko] is progressing, Dhaliwal said. “But no timetable on when he’s going to be 100% healthy…At the time [near the draft], he had not skated since [the postseason]. Rehab is not as fast as some want, but I’m not hearing any setbacks.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the Canucks continue to poke around the goalie market, again. Mostly just to protect themselves. The Canucks may need insurance.”

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