Blueger’s comeback and Olympic selection raise his trade value and boost Vancouver’s penalty kill prospects. For bettors: target faceoff/penalty-kill props and expect tighter, lower-scoring Canucks games with him on the ice; monitor his health and any March 6 trade news, which could create lineup volatility and affect short-term betting markets.
Blueger Eyes Olympic Redemption After Lengthy Injury Layoff
Teddy Blueger is set to join Latvia at the Winter Olympics after a stalled, sometimes mystifying recovery that kept him out for roughly three months. The 31-year-old centre — a Stanley Cup winner and veteran penalty-killer — says the chance to represent his country in Italy is “super exciting” and could be one of the most meaningful stops of his career.
From Stanley Cup Night to Olympic Ice
Blueger’s recent career arc is a remarkable mix of team glory and personal perseverance. He was a midseason acquisition for the Vegas Golden Knights and, although he didn’t meet the usual games-played threshold, the team successfully petitioned to have his name on the Stanley Cup. That championship pedigree now follows him into Vancouver and onto Latvia’s Olympic roster.
Return From Injury: Setbacks, Comeback, Immediate Impact
The injury that sidelined Blueger began on Oct. 19 and initially carried a 4-to-6-week timeline. Two separate setbacks extended his absence significantly. He’s now four games into his comeback, has scored twice, averaged 15:59 of ice time, won 30 of 59 faceoffs and posted a 65 per cent share of high-danger scoring chances at five-on-five — numbers that underline his value on both ends of the ice.
Penalty Kill, Faceoffs and Defensive Value
Blueger’s strength as a shutdown centre and penalty-kill specialist makes him an attractive short-term target for contenders needing depth down the middle. His faceoff success and ability to suppress high-danger chances are immediate, measurable contributions that teams prize ahead of playoff pushes.
Trade Deadline Pressure: What’s at Stake
Vancouver’s front office has signaled a rebuild that could include moving unrestricted free agents before the March 6 trade deadline. Blueger, UFA-eligible this summer and recently healthy, could be a deadline rental for contenders — but his Olympic participation complicates availability and could influence his market value.
Player Focus Amid Roster Uncertainty
Blueger says he tries not to take trade talk personally and remains focused on day-to-day recovery and performance. That mindset is common among veteran players in transition, but the reality of a potential trade remains a factor for both his club role and national-team plans.
Canucks’ Form and Pre-Olympic Run
Vancouver has endured a brutal stretch, losing 14 of 15 games heading into a matchup with the Anaheim Ducks. The Olympic break could offer relief for players selected to go — Blueger joins Elias Pettersson (Sweden), Kevin Lankinen (Finland), Filip Hronek and David Kampf (Czechia) at the Games. The Canucks’ final pre-Olympic outings include home and road dates before NHL rosters freeze Feb. 4–22.
Betting Implications and What to Watch
Blueger’s presence typically tightens defensive matchups and strengthens Vancouver’s penalty kill. Bettors should watch his health status and ice time: favorable indicators support targeting under/over game totals skewed toward fewer goals, faceoff-win props, and penalty-kill efficiency markets.
Any trade headlines before March 6 will quickly shift lines and player props; short-term markets may offer the best opportunities, while long-term Canucks futures carry added risk until roster clarity returns.
The chance to play in the Olympics comes at the cost of likely getting traded from Vancouver.
Sportsnet
