Yahoo Sports Canucks Teddy Blueger Exceeding Expectations To Start The 2024-25 Season
One player who has had a strong start to the season for the Vancouver Canucks is Teddy Blueger. Despite missing the pre-season, Blueger has exceeded expectations through the first four games of the campaign. A player who is rarely in the spotlight, Blueger has been one of the Canucks most valuable forwards so far in 2024-25.
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While Blueger's strong defensive play is not unexpected, his goal-scoring is. Through two games, he is tied for the team lead with two goals and is already halfway to his total from 2023-24. Blueger is also projected to smash his career high of nine, which he achieved twice during his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins. While it is still early in the season, the Latvian center's ability to put the puck in the net has been crucial as Vancouver has picked up three of their four points during games he has scored in.
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As for Blueger's analytics, they are some of the best among the forward group on the team. In 41:46 of five-on-five play, the Canucks have a 26-14 scoring chances advantage and lead 14-4 in high-danger scoring chances when Blueger is on the ice. He has also created six individual high-danger chances, which ranks second behind only Conor Garland. Whether it is counting stats or analytics, Blueger's numbers are impressive, especially considering he only averages 10:26 of five-on-five ice time per game.
Blueger has also shown this season that he isn't afraid to drop the gloves if needed. Against the Florida Panthers, he took on fellow Latvian Uvis Balinskis, scoring the takedown in the fight. With eight hits and one fight, Blueger is showing he can be a physical presence on the ice and is ready to stand up for himself as well as his teammates.
Lastly, as expected, Blueger has been a key part of the penalty kill. He leads all forwards in time on ice at 8:44 and has only been on the ice for one goal against. Blueger has also been fantastic in the faceoff circle, winning eight of his 13 draws while shorthanded. If he can keep winning draws and preventing zone entries as he has through the first four games of the year, Vancouver's penalty kill has the chance to finish top-ten this season.
Blueger is the type of player all Stanley Cup contenders need. He understands his role and can consistently provide value to both the bottom six and the penalty kill. If Blueger can build on his hot start and continue to produce offensively, he could finish the year as the Canucks 2024-25 Unsung Hero.
