New York Rangers sign Blake Wheeler to one-year, $800,000 contract
That didn’t take long. One day after the Winnipeg Jets bought out all-time leading scorer Blake Wheeler, he’s found a new home. As reported by Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, the New York Rangers have signed him to a one-year deal at an $800,000 cap hit with potential for an additional $300,000 in performance bonuses.
Wheeler, 36, had the luxury of signing a cheap deal to play with a contender because he’ll be earning $2.75 million annually in buyout money from the Jets. While he’s undoubtedly past his prime, he has still produced as a bona fide top-six forward in recent seasons. Over his past three NHL campaigns, Wheeler has 161 points in 187 games, good for 71 points per 82 games.
Wheeler helps fill a void for a Rangers team that had its two top wingers, 2023 Trade Deadline acquisitions Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko, going to market and not looking likely to re-sign. Wheeler is likely to play with some combination of Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad or Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck.
Joining a contender in the Metropolitan Division, Wheeler will chase a Stanley Cup, which has eluded him in his 15-season NHL career. The Boston Bruins traded him to the Atlanta Thrashers in 2011, months before they hoisted the Stanley Cup. Wheeler since became the all-time leading scorer in Jets/Thrashers history but has never advanced deeper than the conference final in his career.
Wheeler’s 922 career points place him 15th all-time among U.S.-born players. His 610 assists place him ninth among all active NHLers. Even in decline, he’ll bring an injection of offense to the Blueshirts. He also spent six years as captain of the Jets, equalling the longest tenure in franchise history, albeit he was stripped of the ‘C’ after the 2021-22 season amid reports that the Jets’ dressing room needed a culture change.