Just in time for trade season, the Vancouver Canucks might have caught a rare break.
Injuries have a way of throwing a wrench into even the most carefully mapped-out NHL trade strategies. But in Teddy Blueger’s case, the timing couldn’t be better-not for a playoff run in Vancouver, but for a potential move out of it.
The 31-year-old center has just returned from a lower-body injury that kept him off the ice for most of the season. He’s played only three games so far, but his return comes at a perfect moment-not just for the Canucks, who are looking to move veteran pieces, but for teams eyeing playoff depth.
Blueger’s name is already surfacing on trade boards, and not just in the background. He’s listed in the top tier of likely trade candidates, and it’s easy to see why. With a $1.8 million cap hit and unrestricted free agency looming this summer, he’s a low-risk rental for contenders looking to shore up their bottom six.
What makes Blueger appealing isn’t flashy numbers or highlight-reel goals-it's the little things that matter in the grind of playoff hockey. He’s a strong faceoff guy, a dependable penalty killer, and the kind of fourth-line center who can tilt a tight game in your favor with smart, physical play. He’s been in the trenches, and teams heading into the postseason always have room for that kind of player.
For Vancouver, the calculus is straightforward. They’re not expected to re-sign Blueger after this season, so moving him for any return-whether it’s a late-round pick or a depth prospect-makes sense. It’s not the kind of blockbuster that makes headlines, but these are the trades that quietly build depth and flexibility for the future.
If Blueger can stay healthy and show he’s still the reliable, gritty pivot teams know him to be, don’t be surprised if he’s wearing a different jersey by the trade deadline. And for both the Canucks and whichever contender picks him up, it could turn out to be a tidy piece of business.