Confirmed with Link: Canucks sign C Teddy Blueger to 1-Year, $1.9M Deal

vanuck

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Dec 28, 2009
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I honestly feel Blueger doesn't get enough love for how he's transformed our "3rd line" into a legitimate two-way threat, while driving possession night after night. Looks like he's back to the form he showed during his Pittsburgh days.

Guy's a priority re-signing IMO.
 

bossram

Registered User
Sep 25, 2013
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Blueger has been nothing short of impressive. I was pleased with this signing and it has exceeded everyone's expectations.

I would re-sign Blueger at a moderate price on low-term.

He will likely be looking to score a Kampf+ type deal in the offseason though, which I wouldn't really want to commit to.
 
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alternate

Win the week!
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He's been great, but we might not be able to afford to re-sign him. Feel this was his "show me" deal, and he'll be looking for some term and AAV on his next contract. Of it's something like 3 years/$10m not sure we can do that.

Does raise an interesting question: assuming Garland is still here, if we could afford to bring back just one of Blueger or Joshua, which do you sign?

I feel that Suter could be productive between DJ and Gnarly Garrly, and even Aman or possibly Raty could fill in.

Think I'd prioritize Joshua to be honest, assuming similar contracts.
 

CanuckleBerry

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Sep 27, 2017
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If we think that the success and chemistry of Blueger and Joshua with Garland can be maintained, how much does it cost to re-sign them? How much would be too much? It honestly might be imperative, given the struggles of forming a reliable "2nd Line". Is the money better spent on a top notch winger to separate Pettersson and Miller to solve the 2nd line issue? I am inclined to not mess with a good thing or give up on a proven commodity for an uncertainty, but I guess we've got until the end of the season to sort that out.
 
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Raistlin

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If we think that the success and chemistry of Blueger and Joshua with Garland can be maintained, how much does it cost to re-sign them? How much would be too much? It honestly might be imperative, given the struggles of forming a reliable "2nd Line". Is the money better spent on a top notch winger to separate Pettersson and Miller to solve the 2nd line issue? I am inclined to not mess with a good thing or give up on a proven commodity for an uncertainty, but I guess we've got until the end of the season to sort that out.
if it comes down to it, the chemistry between Blueger and Garland is more noticeable than with Joshua. they read off each other better, since that line is possession/forecheck based. having BLueger's defensive conscience and positioning is a higher priority than forecheck/finishing of Joshua.
 

Shareefruck

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Apr 2, 2005
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Unsung hero, easily. He gets no attention (less than Pius Suter, even), despite being an equally important piece of a line that's been critical to our success.

Probably our best defensive forward alongside Pettersson, great on the PK, and even somehow doesn't look bad on the 2nd PP unit, despite being viewed as a hands-of-stone guy heading into this season.
 
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VanJack

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Jul 11, 2014
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You've got to give Allvin some props for signing guys like Blueger, Suter, Cole, Soucy and picking up guys like Lafferty and DeSmith.

I mean on July 1st, with the possible exception of Soucy, they were the flotsam and jetsam on the UFA market.....nobody really wanted them. But they've come into Vancouver and transformed the team's character and depth.
 
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Nucker101

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Apr 2, 2013
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Liked the signing when it was made, love it even more so far.

Sucks that they couldn't get him locked in for 2 years like Suter
 
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RobertKron

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Sep 1, 2007
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You've got to give Allvin some props for signing guys like Blueger, Suter, Cole, Soucy and picking up guys like Lafferty and DeSmith.

I mean on July 1st, with the possible exception of Soucy, they were the flotsam and jetsam on the UFA market.....nobody really wanted them. But they've come into Vancouver and transformed the team's character and depth.

I would absolutely not give Allvin props for signing three guys the first day of free-agency to a combined 8.whatever million cap hit if no other teams wanted them. What?
 
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vancityluongo

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best case - he loves his role and the success he's had here, and he agrees to commit short-term below market - something like a $7.25m/2 year deal

average case - the pro scouts have to do some work and the negotiators have to convince the next blueger to sign here for cheap. the market doesn't look great but maybe kevin stenlund or thomas novak are that guy

worst case - the team gets attached to him, gives him a big dollar and term deal (ie. $17m/4 years or $22m/5 years) and he turns into a pumpkin with something changed (ie. joshua walks)

it's cool that we identified him once, but truly well run teams (vegas) don't get attached to unsung third liners.
 

Raistlin

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Aug 25, 2006
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You've got to give Allvin some props for signing guys like Blueger, Suter, Cole, Soucy and picking up guys like Lafferty and DeSmith.

I mean on July 1st, with the possible exception of Soucy, they were the flotsam and jetsam on the UFA market.....nobody really wanted them. But they've come into Vancouver and transformed the team's character and depth.
no one wanted Suter, but there is a healthy market for Blueger and Soucy for sure. Cole very likely too as vet presence.
 

Spectrefire

Registered User
Jan 3, 2013
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If we think that the success and chemistry of Blueger and Joshua with Garland can be maintained, how much does it cost to re-sign them? How much would be too much? It honestly might be imperative, given the struggles of forming a reliable "2nd Line". Is the money better spent on a top notch winger to separate Pettersson and Miller to solve the 2nd line issue? I am inclined to not mess with a good thing or give up on a proven commodity for an uncertainty, but I guess we've got until the end of the season to sort that out.
Blueger and Joshua could both be looking at 3-4m in free agency,
 

VanJack

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Jul 11, 2014
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I get that Blueger was a versatile centre who gave the Canucks some decent minutes. But when you check his career stats, not once has he broken through the 10-goal mark. Last season he finished with just six, and endured a drought of close to 35 games.

It's a position I think the Canucks can probably upgrade. So while it wouldn't be a shock if he re-signs in Vancouver, it also would hardly be a surprise if they let him walk on July 1st.
 

Regal

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I get that Blueger was a versatile centre who gave the Canucks some decent minutes. But when you check his career stats, not once has he broken through the 10-goal mark. Last season he finished with just six, and endured a drought of close to 35 games.

It's a position I think the Canucks can probably upgrade. So while it wouldn't be a shock if he re-signs in Vancouver, it also would hardly be a surprise if they let him walk on July 1st.

I think it’s a spot where they might have to save money for other more important players but I think he was a clear step up on the typical 4th line center like an Aman level player and seemed to fit into the room so I’d rather keep him if options aren’t cheaper/a clear upgrade
 

Luck 6

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Ya after looking at his stats, I could go either way on Blueger. On one hand I did like him, but on the other, he seemed to pad his stats playing with Joshua and Garland, and even then, his stats weren’t that great. It’s a position we could probably upgrade, or maybe try to re-sign him for even less.
 

Kryten

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Dudes production weaned as the season progressed but he was good on the PK despite many noticeable weak clearing attempts
 

strattonius

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Jul 4, 2011
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Ya after looking at his stats, I could go either way on Blueger. On one hand I did like him, but on the other, he seemed to pad his stats playing with Joshua and Garland, and even then, his stats weren’t that great. It’s a position we could probably upgrade, or maybe try to re-sign him for even less.

No one pads their stats on Joshua and Garland. Blueger is a responsible C that was a big part of why that HBK line came to life and became one of the best 3rd lines in the NHL. The other C that looked good with those guys was Lindholm, who is probably in a different tier of player altogether - it's not like you can just slot anyone between those two players and 'pad your stats'. Some credit needs to be given to Blueger to the success of that line.

Right now it just kinda feels like there's a ton of roster positions to fill and needs to be met so until a big signing or trade is made its difficult to know what we are left with and if Blueger will be a priority.
 

Luck 6

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No one pads their stats on Joshua and Garland. Blueger is a responsible C that was a big part of why that HBK line came to life and became one of the best 3rd lines in the NHL. The other C that looked good with those guys was Lindholm, who is probably in a different tier of player altogether - it's not like you can just slot anyone between those two players and 'pad your stats'. Some credit needs to be given to Blueger to the success of that line.

Right now it just kinda feels like there's a ton of roster positions to fill and needs to be met so until a big signing or trade is made its difficult to know what we are left with and if Blueger will be a priority.

There were numerous discussions all year over who drove that line, but it was usually debates between Joshua and Garland. Considering both scored at over a 0.5 PPG pace, and above a 20 goal pace, I would say they both contributed to Blueger’s 22 assists (which was a career high).

I actually don’t mind Blueger, he was on my re-sign list, but I mean, he really only scored at a 33 point pace player with two 40 point ish players. All I’m saying is we should be able to upgrade on him if he’s looking for a raise.
 

F A N

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Aug 12, 2005
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There were numerous discussions all year over who drove that line, but it was usually debates between Joshua and Garland. Considering both scored at over a 0.5 PPG pace, and above a 20 goal pace, I would say they both contributed to Blueger’s 22 assists (which was a career high).

I actually don’t mind Blueger, he was on my re-sign list, but I mean, he really only scored at a 33 point pace player with two 40 point ish players. All I’m saying is we should be able to upgrade on him if he’s looking for a raise.

I pretty much agree with what you are saying. I do think he will get more than $1.9M AAV but I don’t think he is in line for a big payday. I don’t think he has increased his value from last year. It’s not like he is an unknown player or coming off some sort of career year. I don’t think he is seen as some sort of elite level 3C.

He is what he is. He is soon to be 30 years old, excellent defensively, can win faceoffs, and he is elite on the PK. He is an underrated passer who otherwise doesn’t offer much offensively. I see him signing a 3-4 year deal at ~$2.5M +/-. He’s not getting $4M AAV. That’s ridiculous.

I would sign him to something like 3x$2.25M.
 

Jyrki

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May 24, 2011
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The Beagle signing is a cautionary tale of inking a career 4th liner to a substantial contract. Blueger is younger than when Beagle was an UFA but I wouldn't bet on him ever breaking 30 points, specially if Allvin cooks so that Lindholm between Joshua and Garland becomes the norm. Good defensive centers are obviously an asset, but if they produce below average they can't really move up the lineup and you don't want to tie 2.5M+ with term for someone you don't like seeing as a 3C.
 

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