Canucks Preseason Profile
Teddy Blueger
31-year-old, left shot center
6-foot, 185 pounds.
No PP, Yes PK
Will he be centering the 4th line in Vancouver with a prospect and Drew O’Connor on his wings or will he be skating somewhere completely different?
The rumours in early July that the Canucks were looking to move Blueger and winger Dakota Joshua came half true already. Joshua was moved to the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 16th for a 2028 4th-round NHL Draft pick. Blueger could still get moved along if the Canucks can find a way to upgrade their center position.
It won’t be easy considering the market is thin and the competition is stiff. Moving Blueger would mean getting someone better in return, and that will take creativity.
The Latvian has been more than serviceable. In the case of last season, he was durable compared to most. Injuries hammered Vancouver. He and Jake DeBrusk were the two players to survive the rash and play in all 82 games. Blueger overcame an illness in March to stay in the line-up.
The last two seasons he’s produced 28 and then 26 points. That would include just six goals and then eight respectively. Obviously the Canucks would like to see more from their bottom six, but then again, it’s simply a reflection of the limited production throughout the line-up.
The key is his time spent on the penalty kill. He and since departed Pius Suter were the key characters on a PK that finished third best in the NHL. That right there is reason for keeping him around. He’s basically a 50/50 guy on draws.
Blueger’s not only a battler, he’s somewhat of a good luck charm. One wouldn’t think that when he was traded from the Pittsburgh Penguins to Vegas ahead of the deadline in 2023 that he’d be a key difference maker in the Golden Knights winning the Stanley Cup. He was in fact. Just enough. One of those hard working role players who grinded, playing two-way hockey through 13 playoffs games.
The magic continued last season. In December his mother came for a visit and walked out of Rogers Arena $100,000 richer. Mama Blueger won the damn 50/50 drawing. How about them apples?!
Meanwhile, Blueger will look to improve on the $1.8-million he’s making now. He’s entering the second year of a two-year deal.
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