Teddy Blueger

Blueger has quietly developed into a key member of Pittsburgh's forward rotation. The Lativan potted nine goals a season ago, while also finishing with a career-high 28 points in 65 games. Blueger missed about six weeks in the middle of the season due to a fractured jaw which required surgery but was otherwise healthy. Blueger's value is that of a responsible defensive player and solid penalty killer. It's not a fantasy-useful skill set, but the 28-year-old helps the Penguins win hockey games.

Blueger took a big step offensively last season, matching his 2019-20 total of 22 points in 26 fewer games. He scored three of his seven goals while short handed and posted a 14.3 shooting percentage overall. His increased offensive efficiency and solid defensive game earned him a two-year extension in Pittsburgh and potentially a bigger role in the lineup. The 27-year-old has averaged 15:27 of ice time over the last two seasons and could see a slight bump this year -- at least until Evgeni Malkin returns. Still, it appears that Blueger will be mostly confined to a bottom-six role for most of the campaign, limiting his fantasy upside.

Blueger had a strong 2019-20 campaign, setting career highs in games played (69), goals (nine) and assists (13). While the high-energy center is capable of producing offensively, his primary value to the Penguins comes from his defensive prowess and ability to shutdown opposing top lines. The 26-year-old Latvian figures to continue filling a third-line center role, so he won't offer much value in fantasy leagues, but he'll be critical to Pittsburgh's success or failure this season.

Blueger made his NHL debut on Jan. 30 versus the Lightning and never looked back. The left-handed Latvian signed a two-year, one-way contract with the Penguins in July, which all but guaranteed that he'll have a spot in the lineup on a nightly basis in 2019-20 as the team's new fourth-line center. In 28 appearances last season, the 24-year-old racked up six goals, four assists and 33 shots while averaging 11:03 of ice time per contest. Blueger is a quality faceoff man, and figures to be a critical component of Pittsburgh's penalty-killing unit this campaign. While he certainly won't be a fantasy stud, Blueger could make for a sneaky depth option in deeper formats this season.

Blueger scored 19 points (6G, 13A) in 40 games for Minnesota State-Mankato in 2012-13. Right now his primary claim to fame is that he attended Shattuck-St. Mary's, the same prep school as Sidney Crosby. Blueger, a Latvian native, is still years away from making an impact with the Pens. The 2012 second-round draft pick will continue to develop his playmaking skills at the NCAA level. Fantasy owners in keeper leagues might want to take a chance on him, if only because of Pittsburgh's dearth of offensive prospects.

The Latvian native scored 24 goals and registered 64 assists while playing for Shattuck-St. Mary's in 2011-12. He's expected to attend Minnesota State. Blueger, a second-round pick in 2012, tallied a goal and two assists for Latvia's entry into the World Juniors. While Blueger attended the same school as Sidney Crosby, he's years away from making a possible impact in the NHL. One plus Blueger does have going for him, however, is the fact that Pittsburgh has a dearth of offensive prospects in its organization.