Veteran center nearing debut with Canucks

Patrick Johnston of The Vancouver Province reports that Vancouver Canucks center Teddy Blueger is getting close to making his Canucks debut. The 29-year-old has yet to dress this season after he was injured in a preseason game in early October while blocking a shot. Neither Blueger nor the Canucks have specified what the issue is, but Johnston believes the injury is a bone bruise.

Blueger practiced with the Canucks Wednesday for their full practice. It was the first time he has done so since he suffered the injury on October 6. The native of Riga, Latvia skated with a group of fourth liners in Sam Lafferty, Nils Höglander and Anthony Beauvillier. The Canucks could certainly use Blueger’s penalty-killing prowess, as they have been as bad shorthanded this year as they were last year with a success rate of just 77.3%.

The Canucks take on the Ottawa Senators Thursday night in Ottawa, and if Blueger can’t make his return then, it could happen before the end of their road trip.

In other West notes:

• The Winnipeg Jets have returned forward Dominic Toninato back to their AHL affiliate the Manitoba Moose. The 29-year-old was called up by the Jets on October 20 but did not dress in an NHL game and will now head back to the AHL where he has a goal and an assist in two AHL games this season. The Duluth, Minnesota native is just two years removed from dressing in 77 games for the Jets in a single season and will likely receive another call-up later in the season should the Jets run into injury issues.
• The Arizona Coyotes have recalled defenseman Michael Kesselring from their AHL affiliate the Tucson Roadrunners as they get set to head out on a five-game road trip. Kesselring has yet to dress in an NHL game this season but has spent some time with the Coyotes. The club made the move to add emergency depth in case it needs it while away from home. Kesselring has dressed in six AHL games with the Roadrunners this season and has been held scoreless. Last season, the 23-year-old played nine games with Arizona, posting three assists.