Maple Leafs Claim Primeau, Blais Off Waivers

The Toronto Maple Leafs claimed goaltender Cayden Primeau from the Carolina Hurricanes and winger Sammy Blais from the Montreal Canadiens off waivers on Monday, adding depth ahead of Wednesday’s season opener against Montreal. The moves address Joseph Woll’s indefinite personal leave and leave Anthony Stolarz as the expected starter, with Dennis Hildeby and James Reimer (on a professional tryout) competing for the backup role. Primeau, 26, posted elite AHL numbers last season (about 21–2–2 with a 1.96 GAA and .927 save percentage) but has uneven NHL results (roughly a 13–24–7 record with about an .884 save percentage and ~3.7–3.8 GAA), projecting as organizational depth. Blais, 29, is a physical bottom‑six winger who has roughly 27 career goals and 71 NHL points and posted 40 points in 51 AHL games last season, and could reunite with coach Craig Berube. The Primeau claim also removes a recently acquired depth option from Carolina, and the moves reflect broader roster juggling as teams finalize rosters before the regular season.