Wheeler (lower body) will miss the remainder of the regular season, resulting in him being designated for long-term injured reserve, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports Friday.
Wheeler's injury certainly didn't look good after he was unable to put any weight on it following a collision in Thursday's matchup with the Canadiens, so this news shouldn't come as a surprise. The 37-year-old winger's cap hit is a steal for the Rangers ($800,000), so his placement on LTIR won't give the club significant help from a salary standpoint before the March 8 trade deadline. For his part, Wheeler will end the regular season having garnered nine goals and 12 helpers in 54 contests while producing just one power-play point.
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Rangers' Blake Wheeler: Suffers lower-body injury
Rotowire
Wheeler sustained a lower-body injury during Thursday's game against Montreal and won't return to the contest.
Wheeler entered Thursday's action with nine goals and 21 points in 53 appearances this season. If he misses Sunday's match versus the Islanders, then Alex Belzile might make his season debut.
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Rangers' Blake Wheeler: Two points against Knights
Rotowire
Wheeler scored a goal and added an assist in Friday's 5-2 loss to Vegas.
The 37-year-old produced his second multi-point performance in the last six games. Still, Wheeler has been held off the scoresheet in 11 of his past 13 outings. His first season as a Ranger has been largely disappointing, with only eight goals and 19 points through 48 contests.
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Rangers' Blake Wheeler: Two tallies including GWG
Rotowire
Wheeler scored two goals, one the game-winner, in Tuesday's 5-2 victory over the Kraken.
It's the second multi-goal performance of the season for Wheeler, with the other coming Dec. 12 against the Maple Leafs. The long-time Jet snapped a seven-game point drought with Tuesday's effort -- the 37-year-old hasn't made much of an impact in his first campaign with the Rangers, producing seven goals and 17 points in 43 contests.
Wheeler logged a pair of assists in Tuesday's 5-2 victory over the Maple Leafs.
Wheeler set up Mika Zibanejad's opening marker in the second period before adding another assist on Braden Schneider's goal in the third. The 37-year-old Wheeler now has five points (two goals, three assists) in his last four contests after he was held scoreless over his previous eight games. Wheeler should continue to get an opportunity alongside Zibanejad and Chris Kreider on New York's top line while Kaapo Kakko (lower body) is sidelined. Overall, Wheeler is up to 11 points (four goals, seven assists) through 30 games this season.
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Rangers' Blake Wheeler: Lights lamp twice in loss
Rotowire
Wheeler scored two goals on five shots on net in Tuesday's 7-3 loss to the Maple Leafs.
The 37-year-old came into the contest with only two goals in his first 26 games as a Ranger, but Wheeler doubled that number Tuesday while snapping an 11-game goal drought. His first season in New York has been a disappointment so far, and despite seeing plenty of shifts alongside Mika Zibanejad at even strength, Wheeler's managed just eight points through 27 contests.
Wheeler logged an assist in Sunday's 4-3 shootout win over the Blue Jackets.
Wheeler has finally gotten his offense going with a goal and two assists over his last four games. The 37-year-old helped out on Chris Kreider's first-period marker. Through 14 outings, Wheeler has three points, 25 shots on net, 11 blocked shots and a minus-4 rating. He saw 13:56 of ice time Sunday, his highest mark since Opening Night -- while he's been listed on the first line at times, his usage resembles that of a bottom-six forward.
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Rangers' Blake Wheeler: Scores power-play goal
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Wheeler scored a power-play goal in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Wild.
Wheeler finally found the back of the net, scoring his first goal for the Rangers. It's been a quiet and no doubt disappointing start to the season for the veteran winger, as he has managed just one goal, one assist and 24 shots in 13 games while averaging 11:51 of ice time. It's the lowest ice time per game of Wheeler's NHL career which coincides with a lack of power-play opportunities (he's averaging just 0:40 per game with the man advantage).
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Rangers' Blake Wheeler: Quiet debut with Rangeers
Rotowire
Wheeler had two shots on goal and a minus-1 rating in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Sabres.
Wheeler skated on the third line with Vincent Trocheck and Will Cuylle while featuring on the second power-play unit in his debut with the Rangers. New York breezed by Buffalo in its first game of the season despite Wheeler's quiet night, but the Rangers are hoping the 37-year-old winger still has some gas in the tank coming off a 55-point season in Winnipeg.
