Vancouver Canucks getting trade interest for Teddy Blueger from his former team
Centres are a hot commodity as we inch closer to Friday’s NHL trade deadline.
The Chicago Blackhawks got a first-round pick for Jason Dickinson. In Toronto, the Maple Leafs did the same with Nic Roy. The Washington Capitals also got second and third-round picks for 35-year-old Nic Dowd.
All of those deals put pressure on the Vancouver Canucks to make sure they get something for veteran centre Teddy Blueger.
Thankfully, one NHL team is reportedly showing interest in acquiring him.
Ironically, it’s one of his old teams.
Josh Yohe of The Athletic reported on Thursday that the Pittsburgh Penguins have a desire to add Blueger to their lineup.
Blueger spent the first five years of his NHL career playing for the Penguins before he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023. The Latvian centre was originally drafted 52nd overall by Pittsburgh back in 2012, before becoming a full-time NHLer in the 2018-19 season.
Yohe cited the fact that Pittsburgh has been looking for centre depth for a while, but their need for a pivot has been amplified by the fact that both Sidney Crosby and Blake Lizotte are out with injuries.
He also wrote that, according to his league sources, the Penguins’ preference is not to be big buyers at the deadline.
“Sources said [GM Kyle] Dubas wants to add with a playoff run in mind, but he’s not likely to sell the farm,” Yohe wrote.
Dubas has made some shrewd moves to pick up draft capital and NHL players this season, as evidenced by the deals for goaltender Stuart Skinner and defenceman Sam Girard. He picked up second-round picks in both of those deals.
The Penguins have at least two second-round picks and two third-round picks in each of the next three drafts.
The Penguins have lots of draft capital, according to @PuckPedia, to make a Teddy Blueger deal.#Canucks pic.twitter.com/wzWB701Vbx
— Trevor Beggs (@TrevBeggs) March 5, 2026
Blueger has one year left on his deal, at a modest $1.8 million cap hit.
Both Vancouver and Pittsburgh have been active trade partners of late, with the Canucks arguably coming out worse with both deals.
The Canucks acquired Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor from the Penguins last January, with the 12th overall draft pick being the main piece that went back to Pittsburgh. Dubas also acquired goaltender Artūrs Šilovs from the Canucks in July for the low cost of AHLer Chase Stillman and a fourth-round pick.
Blueger previously said he wants to stay in Vancouver. However, a return to Pittsburgh with Crosby isn’t the worst outcome imaginable.
For the Canucks, a lesser outcome would be holding onto Blueger, especially considering the trade returns for depth centres so far.
Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period did report that the Canucks will explore re-signing Blueger if their trade price isn’t met.
While you could take that report with a grain of salt, Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin did have some nice things to say about Blueger when speaking to the media on Wednesday.
“Teddy has been a great pro, and he was part of Vegas winning a Cup there before,” Allvin said. “There is some value for us. No doubt about it. I mean, he’s been great here.”
“That being said, it’s my job to look for what’s best for the Vancouver Canucks.”