Blake Wheeler’s future of playing for the New York Rangers has been up in the air since the team’s exit in the Eastern Conference Final last season. General Manager Chris Drury has yet to re-sign the 37-year-old forward, and speculation was that he would retire following a gruesome leg injury this past season.
However, new reports indicate that the Boston Bruins may be interested in offering a professional tryout (PTO) to Wheeler, bringing him back to the team where his NHL career began.
Wheeler played nearly three seasons for the Bruins at the start of his career, earning 50 goals and 100 points in that time.
If Wheeler is going to return for another season, it would have been nice to have him around with the Rangers. The veteran forward registered 21 points in 54 regular season games before his leg injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season and the majority of the playoffs. He made a heroic return for just one playoff game where he had 9:18 of time on the ice.
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Rangers veteran Blake Wheeler may end up in Boston this season
Wheeler was beginning to find some chemistry on the top line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. He was a solid supporting player for those two, and the lines, at times, looked like they were finally all starting to click. While the job has been passed to Reilly Smith, having Wheeler as a third or fourth line option would have been nice, especially if injuries occur.
Aside from his play on the ice, Wheeler was a key part of the veteran leadership group in the locker room and served as a mentor to many of the young Ranger players. It was evident how close he became with the group while he was sidelined with injury, supporting his teammates from the glass throughout their memorable playoff run.
This is not to say that a return to New York is impossible. However, if Boston is going to try and offer a PTO, it more than likely means that Wheeler’s time as a Ranger is over.
If he does end up with the Bruins, Wheeler will be a great fit for a team that always seems to be in the mix for the top of the standings.
After adding players like Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov, Boston will look to round out their depth, perhaps with players like Wheeler and Kailer Yamamoto, who is also rumored to get a PTO from the Bruins.
While many thought retirement was the likely path, Wheeler might just find himself suiting up for an Eastern Conference rival this fall.
