Timing has worked out well for the Vancouver Canucks in one case. Center Teddy Blueger, 31, recently returned from a lower-body injury just as the team looks to trade veterans and plan for the future.

Blueger is now healthy and able to showcase his value before the NHL trade deadline. Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin ranks him in the top tier of likely trade candidates. He has a $1.8 million cap hit and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, so Vancouver won’t get a huge return—but any value is better than nothing.

Blueger is a reliable, experienced center. He’s strong on faceoffs, plays a key role on the penalty kill, and fits the mold of a fourth-line pivot. For a team making a playoff push, he’s exactly the type of gritty player that can make a difference.

The Canucks are unlikely to re-sign him after the season, so moving him now for even a modest return could be a practical, win-win decision for both sides.