Wheeler adapting well to new role

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This article was published 18/10/2022 (1056 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DENVER — It’s been a quiet start to a most unusual hockey season for Blake Wheeler. On and off the ice.

The 36-year-old has one assist through his team’s first two games, skating in a less-featured role on both the second line and second power-play unit. We also haven’t heard much from him, his responsibilities to routinely meet with the media now a thing of the past along with the C on the front of his jersey that was removed by new coach Rick Bowness prior to training camp.

Those duties now sit with the trio of alternate captains — Mark Scheifele, Josh Morrissey and Adam Lowry — along with other top performers and young stars such as Kyle Connor, Nikolaj Ehlers, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Cole Perfetti and Connor Hellebuyck.

Different times, indeed.

Wheeler did, however, spend a few minutes earlier this week discussing a number of topics with travelling scribes, including the Free Press. Among them: Team unity, trying to bounce back from an underwhelming season, new systems, the tough road ahead and the leadership group that no longer includes him.

“I’m fine. I’m good. I’m doing well,” Wheeler said, when asked how he’s processed a turbulent few weeks.

It was obvious the Minnesota product didn’t want to spend much time doing a deep dive on his feelings, instead deferring to the team as a whole.

“I’m really excited about our group. I’m really excited about the growth that we’ve had, the guys, and just everything that we did during camp. We’re all learning together,” he said.

“Going to Banff and spending some time together was a good way to get to know each other. I’m excited about our team, that’s where I’m at.”

He was also quick to offer praise for Lowry, the third-round pick from 2011 who has spent his whole NHL career in Winnipeg and essentially took his spot, as Scheifele and Morrissey were already alternate captains prior to this season.

“It’s well-deserved. Lows is a guy who’s invested his career in Winnipeg. I think it’s right he gets recognized for that,” said Wheeler.

“He’s been a key figure to our team and sort of an unsung type of guy over the years. He leads by example in how he plays every night and how he shows up. He’s a huge contributor to our team and what we do behind the scenes as well. It’s a good step for him, for sure.”

Jets associate coach Scott Arniel said Wheeler has been everything the new coaching staff could have hoped for in the early going.

“Obviously for him, a lot happened to him from the time we first got started to now. The thing that I am seeing the most is he’s the player that I’ve watched for a number of years, the power forward with great skill, can play power play or penalty kill, you can put him out in the last minutes of games. That’s what I remember,” said Arniel.

“That’s a leader, that’s a guy playing by example. When your top people play by example like that, that’s a real good sign. He’s been great. He’s been great in the room, great with the coaching staff and great with his play. He has handled it tremendously.”

Wheeler is as determined and driven as they come, knowing his chances for a Stanley Cup championship are running out. He has one more year after this left on his contract — which Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, with Wheeler’s blessing, explored moving this past summer to no avail.

So his 12th season in Winnipeg is underway, with the fourth coach now at the helm (Claude Noel, Paul Maurice, Dave Lowry and now Bowness) trying to get this group to play the right way on a consistent basis.

All of which made for an interesting training camp.

“A lot was thrown at us. I think we’re still learning. That’s the part of having a new staff, new systems and new expectations,” said Wheeler.

“I think that’s going to continue on here for a little while, we’re going to continue to make mistakes. But just learn from them, try to learn on the job. So far, I’ve liked the way the guys have picked it up. Hopefully we can continue to learn and get these things solidified here.”

His club limited those mistakes during last Friday’s season-opening 4-1 victory over the New York Rangers, in which Wheeler drew a helper on Connor’s empty-net goal.

“I think we had some good moments, especially in the first and third period. It was a good lesson,” said Wheeler. “In the second period I think we were trying to play a little bit different game than what we’re built to play. It was good to get the experience for sure and hopefully we can carry that forward.”

It was a different story on Monday night in Dallas, as the Jets struggled to get much going in a 4-1 loss to the Stars.

The road trip doesn’t get any easier, with Winnipeg facing the defending Cup champion Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night (7 p.m., SN1, CJOB), then wrapping up Thursday night in Las Vegas against the Golden Knights (9 p.m., TSN3, CJOB).

The Jets could sure use some production from Wheeler’s line, which includes Dubois and Perfetti. The trio, along with the third line (Lowry, Mason Appleton and Morgan Barron) has yet to hit the scoresheet.

“For me and Doobie, we play best when we’re playing north-south. Getting on the forecheck, winning battles and trying to create some space for Cole,” said Wheeler.

“He’s a dynamic player and he’s got great hockey sense. He makes plays all over the ice. That’s really the identity of our line, and when we’re playing well we’re going to be moving north-south with a lot of speed.”

Wheeler also used the word “fun” to describe playing with a couple of younger, emerging players. That’s an emotion we haven’t seen a whole lot of from the ex-captain in recent times, where the responsibilities began to appear more like a burden.

“Cole’s a guy that has great hockey sense. The more you tell him to shoot it or do things, you don’t want to clog him up or get him thinking too much,” Wheeler said.

“Thus far, I haven’t seen him do anything outside of make the right play. He makes a lot of really good plays out there, too. I think on our line, hopefully Doobie and I can free him up, get him some space and get him some shots, too. I think he’s a guy that always has his eyes open, and he’s looking for guys, too.”

Wheeler, meanwhile, will continue to quietly go about his business, which seems to suit both him and the organization just fine.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg