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.
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