Player News

• Rangers' Blake Wheeler: Not practicing Saturday

  06/01/2024 • By RotoWire

  Wheeler (undisclosed) is not at Saturday's morning skate ahead of Game 6 against Florida, Vince Z. Mercogliano of USA Today reports. According to a source, Wheeler is banged up, leaving his status unclear for Saturday's must-win contest. He has suited up in only one game since Feb. 15 because of a leg injury. Wheeler logged just 9:18 of ice time in Game 4 versus the Panthers on Tuesday before sitting out Thursday's Game 5. Anton Blidh has been filling in for Wheeler during Saturday's practice, but the 29-year-old Blidh probably won't be in the lineup even if Wheeler is unavailable.

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• Rangers' Blake Wheeler: Returns to lineup Tuesday

  05/30/2024 • By RotoWire

  Wheeler was back in action for Game 4 against the Panthers on Tuesday, recording four hits, two blocks and two PIM in 9:18 of ice time. Wheeler was in the lineup for the first time since Feb. 15 versus Montreal, a stretch of 41 games on the shelf due to his leg injury. Even with the veteran cleared to play, he may still have to serve as a healthy scratch periodically as he eases his way back to 100 percent, perhaps including Game 5 against Florida on Thursday.

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• Rangers' Blake Wheeler: Lifted from LTIR

  05/16/2024 • By RotoWire

  Wheeler (leg) was activated from long-term injured reserve Thursday, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports. It's not a clear-cut guarantee Wheeler will be in the lineup for Thursday's Game 6, but the 37-year-old is now eligible to return from a three-month absence. Wheeler was cleared for contact Monday, and it appears he's gotten in enough practice time to be an option for the Rangers as they look to close out the Hurricanes in the second round.

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• Rangers' Blake Wheeler: Cleared for contact

  05/13/2024 • By RotoWire

  Wheeler (leg) has shed his non-contract jersey ahead of Game 5 against the Hurricanes on Monday, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. Wheeler is practicing without the non-contact jersey for the first time, so it seems unlikely he will be available to play against Carolina on Monday immediately. Still, it's a positive sign for the veteran winger, who has been out of action since Feb. 15 versus the Canadiens. When Wheeler gets the all-clear, he figures to slot into a bottom-six role and could bump Jonny Brodsinski from the lineup.

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• Rangers' Blake Wheeler: Done for regular season

  02/16/2024 • By RotoWire

  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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