[Report] Canucks To Start Camp Without Teddy Blueger, Cole McWard

[RWJC]

Canucks To Start Camp Without Teddy Blueger, Cole McWard

 

September 18th, 2024 at 7:33pm CST • By Gabriel Foley

 

The Vancouver Canucks will begin training camp without forward Teddy Blueger and defenseman Cole McWard after both underwent minor, lower-body surgery – general manager Patrik Allvin shared with The Athletic’s Thomas Drance. The two will join forward Dakota Joshua and goaltender Thatcher Demko in working to recover from lower-body injuries before camp ends.

 

Blueger, 30, will stand as the biggest missing piece, having played 68 games with the Canucks last season. It was his first year in Vancouver and he used it to good effect, tying his career-high of 28 points while making the second-most appearances of any one season. The stout year succeeded a 2022-23 campaign to remember for Blueger. He started the year with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he spent the first five years of his career, but a Trade Deadline move landed Blueger on the Vegas Golden Knights. He’d proceed to slot into 24 games with Vegas, between the regular and post-seasons, serving a depth role as the team ran to the first Stanley Cup win of their young history.

 

That was Blueger’s first chance to get his name etched on the Cup, having spent the years of  Pittsburgh’s back-to-back Cup wins in the minor leagues.

 

McWard, 23, is on the other end of his career, just completing his first season after joining Vancouver as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He’s been awarded six NHL games to this point, scoring one goal, though he spent the majority of this season with the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks. McWard managed 17 points in 57 games with the junior Canucks, ranking fourth among the team’s defenders in scoring.

 

The training camp absence will hinder both – as Blueger looks to fend off competition for his fourth-line role, and McWard looks to claim one of the open spots on Vancouver’s blue-line. The pair’s injuries could give a boost to players like Kiefer Sherwood and Noah Juulsen, or even open more room for Sammy Blais as he tries to vindicate a professional try-out agreement. All three will battle for quaint roles in the lineup, but could end up pivotal pieces as Vancouver eyes another berth into the Stanley Cup playoffs.

 

https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2024/09/canucks-to-start-camp-without-teddy-blueger-cole-mcward.html#ref=home

Edited September 19, 2024 by RWJC

[CaptainCanuck12]

[flat land fish]

Looks like training was hard, things are about to get harder but the hardest hasn't come yet.

[JayDangles]

9 minutes ago, flat land fish said:

Looks like training was hard, things are about to get harder but the hardest hasn't come yet.

Reading your post is hard.

[GrammaInTheTub]

Confirmation that Poolman is out still as well. Wish him health and wellness after his playing days are done. 
 

[Reg]

Just thinking out loud but it seems to me the team with a little planning could schedule surgery and recovery within the 3 month layoff since last season.

[RWJC]

1 hour ago, flat land fish said:

Looks like training was hard, things are about to get harder but the hardest hasn't come yet.

[Phil_314]

Our bottom-6 should still be in decent shape with Suter and Aman as #3 and #4?  Hope Teddy comes back soon though, important defensive depth.

Joshua*/ Heinen - Suter - Garland
PDG - Aman - Sherwood

Edited September 19, 2024 by Phil_314

[RWJC]

20 minutes ago, Phil_314 said:

Our bottom-6 should still be in decent shape with Suter and Aman as #3 and #4?  Hope Teddy comes back soon though, important defensive depth.

Joshua*/ Heinen - Suter - Garland
PDG - Aman - Sherwood

Don’t forget Blais in that mix. Wouldn’t be surprised if he comes in with a real shot at camp and is part of the opening roster for a little while (depending on injuries and who slides into where in the interim). Can envision a hot start for him like Lafferty once had with us. 

Edited September 19, 2024 by RWJC

[Bonkers]

I think Pius Suter can do equally good as a C between Garland/Joshua. But Blueger is sure needed for our PK, hope he can be fit for the start of the season.

[DrJockitch]

10 hours ago, flat land fish said:

Looks like training was hard, things are about to get harder but the hardest hasn't come yet.

Funny. I just texted my wife that exact sentence. 

[Nucker67]

This season feels like a slow start with all of the uncertainties and injuries. The entire 3rd line is practically out from the beginning. Missing training camp is a big deal, as those players will be quite a bit behind with game conditioning, getting up to speed. The D still doesn't look finished, but I think it might be. Joshua's condition is concerning. Questions with goaltending. I hope Allvin can make a move or two, and Tocchet gives the team a great training camp and has them ready. 

[Jayinblack]

57 minutes ago, Nucker67 said:

This season feels like a slow start with all of the uncertainties and injuries. The entire 3rd line is practically out from the beginning. Missing training camp is a big deal, as those players will be quite a bit behind with game conditioning, getting up to speed. The D still doesn't look finished, but I think it might be. Joshua's condition is concerning. Questions with goaltending. I hope Allvin can make a move or two, and Tocchet gives the team a great training camp and has them ready. 

Can't remember how Tocchet ran it last year, but hopefully he has line pairings set at least and building chemistry is prioritized this year instead of a blender approach.

[SnakeDoctor]

On 9/19/2024 at 7:56 AM, Nucker67 said:

This season feels like a slow start with all of the uncertainties and injuries. The entire 3rd line is practically out from the beginning. Missing training camp is a big deal, as those players will be quite a bit behind with game conditioning, getting up to speed. The D still doesn't look finished, but I think it might be. Joshua's condition is concerning. Questions with goaltending. I hope Allvin can make a move or two, and Tocchet gives the team a great training camp and has them ready. 

The season is over before it even started.