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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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Rangers' Blake Wheeler: Two helpers in win
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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
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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.
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Rangers' Blake Wheeler: Provides helper in win
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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
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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.
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Rangers' Blake Wheeler: Pens one-year deal
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
