Penguins Considering Bringing Back Former Center Teddy Blueger

Penguins look to address center depth issues with trade deadline approaching

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Pittsburgh Penguins are considering a trade that would bring former Penguins center Teddy Blueger back to the team. Blueger, who currently plays for the Vancouver Canucks, was drafted by the Penguins in 2012 and spent the first five seasons of his NHL career in Pittsburgh. The Penguins have struggled with center depth since Sidney Crosby's injury, winning only 30% of their faceoffs in the four games he has missed. Penguins GM Kyle Dubas is looking to add a forward and a defenseman before the trade deadline, with center depth being the priority.

Why it matters

The Penguins' center depth issues have been exposed with Crosby out of the lineup, and they are looking to address that need ahead of the playoffs. Blueger, a defensive-minded center, could provide a reliable option in the bottom six and help improve the team's faceoff performance. The Penguins and Canucks have been frequent trade partners, making a reunion between Blueger and Pittsburgh a logical move.

The details

Blueger was drafted by the Penguins in 2012 and played the first five seasons of his NHL career in Pittsburgh. After winning the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights, he spent the past three seasons with the Canucks. The Penguins and Canucks have made several trades in recent years, including deals that sent Marcus Pettersson and Drew O'Connor to Vancouver last season, as well as bringing goaltender Artūrs Šilovs to Pittsburgh. The Canucks, who have the worst record in the NHL, are expected to be sellers at the trade deadline, making Blueger a potential target for the Penguins.

  • Crosby has missed the Penguins' last four games due to injury.
  • The NHL trade deadline is on Friday, March 3, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET.

The players

Teddy Blueger

A 31-year-old center who was drafted by the Penguins in 2012 and played the first five seasons of his NHL career in Pittsburgh. He currently plays for the Vancouver Canucks.

Sidney Crosby

The star center for the Pittsburgh Penguins who has missed the team's last four games due to injury.

Kyle Dubas

The general manager and president of hockey operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins, who is looking to add a forward and a defenseman before the trade deadline.

Jim Rutherford

The president of hockey operations for the Vancouver Canucks, who has previously made trades with Dubas and the Penguins.

Patrik Allvin

The general manager of the Vancouver Canucks, who has also been involved in trades with the Penguins.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The Penguins and Canucks will need to finalize any potential trade involving Teddy Blueger before the NHL trade deadline on Friday, March 3, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET.

The takeaway

The Penguins' center depth issues have been exposed with Sidney Crosby's injury, and they are looking to address that need by potentially reacquiring former Penguins center Teddy Blueger from the Vancouver Canucks. This move would reunite Blueger with his former team and provide the Penguins with a reliable defensive-minded center to help improve their faceoff performance and bolster their playoff push.