In his first significant personnel move of the summer, Penguins general manager Ron Hextall signed center Teddy Blueger to a two-year contract extension worth $4.4 million, with an average annual value of $2.2 million.
“Teddy has proven to be a versatile, two-way center, as well as a fixture on the penalty kill,” said Hextall. “He is a valuable player for our team.”
The signing short hopped a potential arbitration hearing for the restricted free agent. The 26-year-old native of Riga, Latvia, earned $750,000 in each of the past two seasons.
Blueger, indeed, enjoyed a solid season in 2020-21. Decent enough when filling in on the third line and terrific as a fourth-line center, he tallied seven goals and 22 points in 43 games, a highly respectable 13-goal, 42-point pace over a full 82-game slate. Numbers all the more impressive when you consider he and linemates Zach Aston-Reese and Brandon Tanev served primarily in a shutdown role, as witnessed by Blueger’s paltry share of offensive zone starts (31.6 percent).
One of the black-and-gold’s top penalty killers as Hextall noted, Blueger paced the club with three short-handed goals, including a spectacular 3-on-5 effort versus the Capitals on January 19. Although still a work in progress in the faceoff circle, Teddy improved rather dramatically, winning 48.7 percent of his draws. Up from 45.1 the season before.
In terms of intangibles, he’s regarded as one of the Pens’ most diligent players and hardest workers, both on and off the ice. The 6’0” 185-pounder even displayed a feisty side, dropping the gloves twice (although not very successfully).
Still, there’s some question as to whether the speedy forward will be among the seven forwards protected prior to the upcoming expansion draft. Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, Kasperi Kapanen, Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust are virtual locks to be shielded. Which leaves only two available slots for Blueger, Aston-Reese, Tanev, Jeff Carter, Jared McCann and Jason Zucker.
If Teddy isn’t on the Pens’ protected list for the upcoming expansion draft, due to be submitted no later than Saturday? At $2.2 million a year, he could he be an attractive target for Seattle Kraken GM Ron Francis.
Stay tuned.
I do like the Blueger signing. This could signal the
end of Ashton-Reese in the Black & Gold.
Hey Mike,
I know you’re not an Aston-Reese fan, and he doesn’t necessarily tickle my fancy, either. I find myself wishing he were a little more of…everything.
Yet he consistently grades out as one of the best defensive forwards in the league. It’s well documented that when he’s out and/or not playing with Blueger and Tanev, their effectiveness wanes (dramatically), while ZAR generally holds his own no matter who he skates with.
I know…it doesn’t translate to the eye test. Much like Marcus Pettersson on defense, who actually had some pretty decent metrics during what everyone thought was a down year.
Anyway…you may get your wish. ZAR may be too pricey for the Pens to re-sign.
Rick
I’m more concerned about Tanev being left unprotected. I saw a list
on ESPN projecting each teams list of protected players and Tanev
wasn’t on the Pen’s list. “How do we replace him”? If he’s selected
by the Kraken”s this would set us back even further in the physical
department.
Hey Mike,
I just read a column by Mark Madden and he thinks the Pens should protect Tanev, too. He had this to say about him: “He’s an oasis of grit in the Penguins’ vast desert of Charmin.”
Lol. I’ve never heard it put more succinctly…or perfectly.
I agree, Mike. Tanev’s a special player…a kamikaze. As you said, losing him would cripple us in the physical play department. In addition to providing energy, speed and sand, I think he’s emerged as a decent all-around player.
Plus, and I hate to be a naysayer, I’m not so sure we’re going to be able to add the physicality we need…at least from outside the organization. There just aren’t that many guys like that out there…at least ones who are available and can blend with our style.
Too, the Pens have a habit of trying the “one guy” approach…usually in the form of a heavyweight (Reaves) who winds up not playing that much.
Don’t get me wrong…I’d gladly take a Deslauriers in the short run. But ultimately you need a few guys who play a hard game, and it’s going to take time to cultivate them.
Anyway, more to come I’m sure with the expansion draft and free agency looming. Hope you’re enjoying your summer … 🙂
Rick
Hey Rick – Hope you’re enjoying your summer as well.
IMO they can’t lose Tanev. He makes everyone he plays
with better. He has speed, toughness/grit and is so
disrupted on the ice. We don’t have anyone even close
that can replace what he gives us night in and night out.
Saw McCann was dealt to Toronto. I’m assuming Hextall
felt like we would lose him to Seattle.
I couldn’t remember but do they make the protective list
public prior to Seattle picking players??