By Murat Ates, Arthur Staple and Pierre LeBrun
The New York Rangers have signed free-agent forward Blake Wheeler to a one-year contract, the team announced Saturday. Here’s what you need to know:
- The deal will include an $800,000 salary and $300,000 available in performance bonuses, according to league sources.
- The former Jets captain was placed on unconditional waivers Friday in order for Winnipeg to buy out the last year of his contract.
- Wheeler racked up 55 points (16 goals, 39 assists) in 72 games last season, his 13th with the Jets/Thrashers.
Blake Wheeler to Rangers, one year deal, $800k salary plus $300k max bonuses available. Rangers add quality veteran.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2023
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
How Wheeler fits with Rangers
Even at 36 and past his prime, Wheeler fills a need on the right side for the Rangers as they have exactly zero right-shot right wings currently on the roster. Wheeler’s addition could allow Alexis Lafrenière to stay on his preferred left wing while giving the Rangers’ second line a player who is accustomed to working with higher-end talent while also doing the work that new coach Peter Laviolette will demand from this group.
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His relationship with Rangers captain Jacob Trouba — Trouba said he learned a lot about leadership from Wheeler in Winnipeg — doesn’t hurt either. Even though the Rangers have plenty of veterans, there aren’t any who have Wheeler’s past as a captain. — Staple
What does Wheeler bring to New York?
Wheeler used to scorch his way through the neutral zone. His top speed was frightening and his willingness to bulldog his way around people on his way to the net bordered on unstoppable. The Rangers aren’t getting that elite five-on-five play driver, but that’s not remotely the point.
At one year, $800,000, plus $300,000 in potential performance bonuses, Wheeler is a great bet to provide plenty of surplus value. That top speed is flagging and his stops and starts are outright slow by NHL standards but Wheeler’s vision with the puck remains world class. His passing is still superlative and he does a good job of using his frame to protect the puck along the wall to buy time to make dangerous passes.
What does it all mean? Wheeler will be a productive, playmaking winger if New York can pair him with linemates who control the flow of play. Give him a middle-six role and quality linemates, plus any amount of power play time and he’ll provide tremendous value for his contract as a secondary scorer. Asking for more than that at this stage of his career would be folly. — Ates
Required reading
(Photo: James Carey Lauder / USA Today)