With the Vancouver Canucks set to host the Washington Capitals tonight, the team made a notable roster move, reassigning forward Arshdeep Bains to AHL Abbotsford. The timing aligns with the return of veteran center Teddy Blueger, who’s expected to slot back into the lineup after a lengthy stint on injured reserve.
Blueger, who hasn’t played since October, is projected to center the third line in his return. The Canucks had originally listed his injury as undisclosed, and back then, there wasn’t much indication that the 31-year-old would end up missing nearly half the season. But after a long road to recovery, he’s finally back - and potentially just in time to stir up some trade buzz.
With the NHL’s center market looking razor-thin, Blueger’s name has surfaced as a possible trade chip ahead of the deadline. He’s a pending unrestricted free agent, and if he can find his rhythm quickly, he could become an appealing depth option for playoff-bound teams looking to shore up their bottom six.
The Canucks, who opened the season 4-2-0 when Blueger last played, have since hit some turbulence. A healthy and effective Blueger could not only stabilize Vancouver’s third line but also boost his value on the open market.
As for Bains, it’s been a whirlwind couple of months. After clearing waivers and being sent down in December, the 25-year-old winger earned a recall on January 2, thanks in part to a strong showing in Abbotsford - six points in five games - and Marco Rossi landing on injured reserve.
Bains got into two games last week, logging around 10 minutes of ice time in each and finishing with a combined -3 rating. On the season, he’s tallied five points over 28 games.
While Bains hasn’t quite carved out a consistent NHL role yet, he’s shown flashes of promise at the AHL level. Undrafted and now in his fourth year with the organization, the British Columbia native has been a key piece for Abbotsford, where he’s hovered near a point-per-game pace over the last two seasons. He played a big role in Abbotsford’s Calder Cup title run last year, and with his contract locked in through 2026-27, he remains a valuable depth option for the Canucks.
For now, the focus shifts to Blueger’s return and what kind of impact he can make. Whether he’s a stabilizing presence for Vancouver’s middle six or a trade chip for a contending team, his next few games could go a long way in shaping both his future and the Canucks’ plans moving forward.