NHL News: Rangers lose Sammy Blais for season; and Golden Knights place Jonathan Marchessault on COVID protocol

Anthony Scultore |

Nov 16, 2021

Oct 18, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Rangers forward Sammy Blais (91) shoots the puck during warm up before a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers announced that Sammy Blais will require surgery to repair a torn ACL.

Blais’ injury occurred in the third period of the Rangers 4-3 win over the Devils on Sunday when he and P.K. Subban went to the corner to retrieve the puck.

The Devils defenseman appeared to stick out his skate causing Blais to go hard into the boards leaving him writhing in pain. Blais needed help off the ice and could not put an ounce of pressure on his right leg.

Rangers Sammy Blais out 6-8 months

Blais, 25, was just finding his game with the Rangers playing on the top line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider.

“Not good news for us,” Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant said. “Disappointing and tough, but it happens and you’ve got to move on. Nothing you could do. I just feel for the kid. It’s a tough injury.”

The Rangers acquired Blais in July in a trade with the St. Louis Blues. The Rangers traded forward Pavel Buchnevich to the Blues for Blais and a second-round draft pick in 2022.

In his career, Blais has 39 points (17 goals, 22 assists) and 61 penalty minutes in 133 games since the Blues selected him in the sixth round of the 2014 NHL Draft.

The power forward has four assists in 14 contests this season. He will be an RFA this summer.

Blais is expected to have surgery in the upcoming days.

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Jonathan Marchessault on COVID protocol

Marchessault COVID — Jun 6, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault (81) celebrates with teammates after scoring a hat-trick during the third period against the Colorado Avalanche in game four of the second round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Vegas Golden Knights leading goal scorer Jonathan Marchessault entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol on Tuesday.

Marchessault, who joins fellow forward William Carrier in the protocol, will sit out the Golden Knights’ home game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night.

The 30-year-old Marchessault has recorded 13 points (nine goals, four assists) in 15 games this season. His point total trails only Chandler Stephenson (15 points) for the club lead.

Marchessault has 308 points (139 goals, 169 assists) in 419 career games with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers and Golden Knights.

Also on Tuesday, Vegas called up forwards Paul Cotter and Sven Baertschi from the Henderson Silver Knights of the American Hockey League.

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–Field Level Media contributed to this report