Penguins Activate Teddy Blueger; Brandon Tanev Moved to LTIR

The Pittsburgh Penguins will likely get Teddy Blueger back in their lineup on Sunday evening against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center. According to the team, they activated Bleuger from the IR on Sunday afternoon.

Blueger missed the last 12 games after suffering an upper-body injury against the Boston Bruins in mid-March. The Penguins third-line center has 15 points (5g, 11a) and is plus-8 in 28 games. Before his injury, Teddy Blueger was on pace for a career year, and his 11 assists are two shy of his career-high which he set last season.

Blueger’s .54 points-per-game average is the best of his career, too.

Also on Sunday, the Pittsburgh Penguins placed winger Brandon Tanev on LTIR retroactive to April 3. Per the NHL rules, Tanev must miss 24 days, so he will not be eligible to return to the Penguins lineup until at least April 27. The Penguins host the Boston Bruins on April 27, in one of their final home games.

This season, Tanev was also on a career pace. In 32 games, he has 16 points including seven goals. His .5 points per game are well above his best previous pace.

Forward Drew O’Connor has been re-assigned to the taxi squad, and forward Josh Currie (taxi squad) has been re-assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League.

On Sunday, Sportsnet reporter Elliotte Friedman initially reported the Penguins acquired Anaheim Ducks winger Nicolas Deslauriers but amended his report to say the teams were involved in talks.

The Pittsburgh Penguins face the New Jersey Devils Sunday night at the Prudential Center. The puck drops just after 7 p.m.