Wheeler agreed to terms on a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Rangers on Saturday.
Wheeler joins the Rangers after having spent the previous 13 seasons with the Jets, including one campaign as the Atlanta Thrashers. During his time in Winnipeg, the Minnesota native racked up 262 goals and 550 assists in 897 contests. Despite the young talent in the Big Apple, Wheeler should be in the mix for a spot in the top six, perhaps even on the top line with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad.
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Blake Wheeler: Placed on unconditional waivers
Rotowire
Wheeler was placed on unconditional waivers for the purposes of buying out his contract Friday, Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun reports.
The 36-year-old winger has one year remaining on a five-year contract. The Jets will save $5.5 million in 2023-24 and add $2.75 million in 2024-25 to their salary cap. There should be plenty of interest in Wheeler once he becomes a free agent Saturday. Wheeler had 16 goals and 55 points in 72 regular-season games in 2022-23.
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Jets' Blake Wheeler: Draws helper in loss
Rotowire
Wheeler produced an assist and three shots on goal in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 5.
Wheeler did well on offense in the five-game series, racking up two goals and four assists, but the Jets only won one contest. The 36-year-old winger is under contract for one more season at a cap hit of $8.25 million, so it stands to reason Wheeler will be back in a top-six role for 2023-24. He had a solid 55 points in 72 regular-season outings.
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Jets' Blake Wheeler: One of each on power play
Rotowire
Wheeler scored a goal on three shots, added an assist and logged two hits in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 4.
Both of Wheeler's points came on the power play. The 36-year-old has been a bright spot with five points through four playoff contests, but it hasn't been enough, as the Jets trail 3-1 in the series. The veteran forward has added 17 hits, seven shots on net and a plus-1 rating in a top-six role.
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Jets' Blake Wheeler: Picks up three points
Rotowire
Wheeler scored a goal on three shots, added two assists and logged a plus-2 rating in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Golden Knights in Game 1.
Wheeler stepped up Tuesday, helping out Pierre-Luc Dubois on what was the game-winning goal in the second period. The 36-year-old Wheeler also had a goal and an assist in the third as the Jets pulled away for a big win. The American forward logged a solid 55 points in 72 contests during the regular season and should continue to see top-six minutes in the playoffs.
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Jets' Blake Wheeler: Not playing Thursday
Rotowire
Wheeler will be a healthy scratch Thursday in Colorado, Jeff Hamilton of the Winnipeg Free Press reports.
The Jets decided to rest all their top players as they have already clinched a playoff spot. Wheeler has 16 goals and 55 points in 72 games this season. He will be back in the lineup next week for the start of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
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Jets' Blake Wheeler: Gets two assists Sunday
Rotowire
Wheeler registered two assists in a 6-1 win over New Jersey on Sunday.
Wheeler endured a seven-game scoring drought from March 16-28, but he's recorded back-to-back multi-point contests since then, providing a goal and four points in that span. Through 68 appearances this season, Wheeler has 16 markers and 54 points. With five contests left on Winnipeg's schedule, he has his work cut out for him if he wants to match his 2021-22 finish of 60 points.
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Jets' Blake Wheeler: Power-play assist in win
Rotowire
Wheeler logged an assist in Sunday's 3-2 win over Tampa Bay.
Wheeler set up Nino Niederreiter's power-play tally early in the second period, giving Winnipeg a 2-1 lead. The 36-year-old Wheeler hasn't scored since Feb. 14, a span of 13 games, though he's logged seven assists in his last nine contests. He's up to 15 goals and 34 assists through 58 games this season.
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Jets' Blake Wheeler: Gets 800th point with franchise
Rotowire
Wheeler logged a power-play assist, two hits and a minus-2 rating in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Avalanche.
Wheeler's helper on a Mason Appleton goal was the former's 800th point with the Jets franchise, which he joined in 2010-11 when they were the Thrashers. He's the team's all-time leader in points, and he's picked up 43 of them with 88 shots on net, 30 PIM and an even plus-minus rating through 50 contests this season. The 36-year-old snapped a three-game point drought Friday, and he's collected three goals and three helpers through seven outings in February.
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Jets' Blake Wheeler: Scores in win
Rotowire
Wheeler scored a goal on two shots in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout victory over the Kraken.
Wheeler opened the scoring in the second period, dekeing past Philipp Grubauer after finding himself alone in front of the net. The 36-year-old Wheeler has points in three straight games, tallying three goals and two assists in that span. He's up to 40 points (15 goals, 26 assists) through 45 games this season.
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Jets' Blake Wheeler: Leads offense with three points
Rotowire
Wheeler scored twice and added an assist in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Blackhawks.
Wheeler's first goal was on the power play, and his second was an empty-netter. The 36-year-old had 11 points through 14 games in January, and he's starting right where he left off with a good first game in February. The veteran forward is up to 14 tallies, 40 points (11 on the power play), 82 shots on net, 30 hits, 28 PIM and a plus-6 rating through 44 contests overall.
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Jets' Blake Wheeler: Earns helper in win
Rotowire
Wheeler notched an assist, two shots on goal and two hits in Monday's 4-2 win over the Blues.
Wheeler has four assists over his last five contests, a span in which the Jets have scored 12 goals. The 36-year-old continues to contribute steady offense. He's at 37 points, 80 shots on net, 30 hits, 28 PIM and a plus-5 rating through 43 appearances this season.
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Jets' Blake Wheeler: Records two assists Thursday
Rotowire
Wheeler registered two assists in a 3-2 loss to Buffalo on Thursday.
Wheeler has been held off the scoresheet only once in his last four games. He's up to 12 goals and 36 points in 41 contests in 2022-23. Wheeler's not too far behind the offensive pace he set in 2021-22 when he finished with 17 goals and 60 points in 65 contests.
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Jets' Blake Wheeler: Big game nets 900th NHL point
Rotowire
Wheeler had three points, including his 900th in the NHL, in a 5-1 win over Ottawa on Saturday.
Wheeler had a goal and two assists, and has 33 points (12 goals, 21 assists) in 38 games. His 900th point was a secondary assist on Cole Perfetti's goal late in the third period that put the Jets up 5-1.
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Jets' Blake Wheeler: Scores game-winning goal
Rotowire
Wheeler provided a goal in Winnipeg's 2-1 victory over Arizona on Sunday.
Wheeler's marker at 16:45 of the second period proved to be the game-winner. It was his 11th goal and 30th point in 35 contests in 2022-23. The 36-year-old had just a single assist in four outings from Jan. 6-12, but he's turned a corner with two goals and three points in his last two games.
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Jets' Blake Wheeler: Records two points Friday
Rotowire
Wheeler scored a goal and registered an assist in the Jets' 4-1 victory against Pittsburgh on Friday.
Wheeler opened the scoring 11:19 into the game with his power-play marker. He has 10 goals and 29 points in 34 contests in 2022-23, including eight points with the man advantage. Wheeler was held to just an assist in his previous four games since returning from an abdomen injury.
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Jets' Blake Wheeler: Doesn't record point in return
Rotowire
Wheeler (abdomen) had a minus-1 rating in a 4-2 win against Tampa Bay on Friday.
Wheeler, who last played Dec. 15, also recorded two PIM and a hit in his return from the injury. He has nine goals and 27 points in 30 games in 2022-23. Wheeler has two goals and four points in his last seven outings.
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Jets' Blake Wheeler: Ready to rock
Rotowire
Wheeler (abdomen) will be activated off injured reserve and return to the lineup Friday versus Tampa Bay, Ken Wiebe of Sportsnet reports.
Look for Wheeler to return to a featured role following his nine-game absence, skating on the second line and second power-play unit against the Lightning. The 36-year-old winger has racked up nine goals and 26 points through 29 games this campaign.
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Jets' Blake Wheeler: Not ready to return
Rotowire
Wheeler (abdomen) won't play Tuesday against the Flames, but there's a chance he'll return Friday against Tampa Bay, John Lu of TSN reports.
Wheeler has been sidelined since mid-December after undergoing sports hernia surgery, but it sounds like he could return sooner rather than later. The 36-year-old vet has racked up nine goals and 26 points through 29 games this season.
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Jets' Blake Wheeler: Good to go
Rotowire
Wheeler (groin) will be activated off injured reserve and return to action Tuesday versus Calgary, John Lu of TSN reports.
Wheeler will reclaim a top-six role Tuesday following his eight-game absence. The 36-year-old vet has racked up nine goals and 26 points through 29 games this season.
