Wheeler era is over Jets buy out former captain By: Mike McIntyre Posted: 11:37 AM CDT Friday, Jun. 30, 2023

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This article was published 30/06/2023 (1128 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Jets are buying out the remaining year of former captain Blake Wheeler’s contract, ushering in a new era for the organization.

“I want to thank everyone in Winnipeg for all the love and support over these past 12 years,” Wheeler said in a video statement on Friday.

“It has been my absolute honour and privilege to be a Winnipeg Jet and to represent this city and organization. My family and I can’t thank everyone in the city and province enough for everything you’ve done for us.

“Winnipeg is always going to be a home to myself, my wife Sam, and our children: Louie, Leni, and Mase. Thank you so much for the support, love and friendship that you’ve shown us these past 12 years and we look forward to rooting on the Jets in the future.”

Wheeler has been the heart and soul, not to mention the face, of the franchise for many seasons. He’s the last remaining player who came over from the Thrashers when they were purchased by True North in 2011 and re-located to Winnipeg. He and his family have become entrenched in the community with numerous charitable endeavours, which led to him being the team’s King Clancy Award nominee this past season.

“We would like to thank Blake for his dedication and service to the Jets, the city of Winnipeg and the province of Manitoba,” general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said in a statement.

“We are incredibly grateful for the contributions that he has made during his 12 seasons with the franchise. Most notably, the seven years when he served as the captain of the Jets and helped lead the team to the 2018 Western Conference Final.”

Lauded for drive on and off ice

Wheeler was once a true power forward who became one of the game’s premier playmakers for years.

The 36-year-old Minnesota product leaves the Jets as the franchise leader in regular season games played (897), points (812) assists (550), and shots (2,462), while his 262 goals are the third-most in franchise history. He also holds the franchise record for playoff assists (30) and points (39).

Wheeler also holds the franchise record for assists in a season with 71 in 2018-19 and he led the NHL in assists with 68 in 2017-18. He played in the 2018 and 2019 NHL All-Star Games and was named an NHL Second Team All-Star in 2017-18.

“From the first conversations Blake and I had when I became general manager, I saw his determination to make our club a success,” said Cheveldayoff. “In our time together, I always saw his drive to make himself and his teammates the best they could be through his work on and off the ice.

“Away from the rink, Blake and his wife Sam strove to embed themselves in the Winnipeg community and they went to great lengths to exercise their celebrity to benefit numerous charitable and humanitarian efforts throughout the city and the province.”

Wheeler’s compete level has never been questioned, even after age and injuries have significantly slowed him down. He suffered a ruptured testicle last December after he was struck by a Josh Morrissey slap shot in the second period of a game against Nashville. Incredibly, he returned to play in the third period, then underwent emergency surgery hours later. He ultimately missed three weeks of action.

Wheeler was set to make a team-high US $8.25 million next season as he completes the five-year, US $41.25 million extension he signed in 2018. The Minnesota product had 55 points (16 goals, 39 assists) in 72 regular-season games last year. That represented his lowest points-per-game average of his 12-year Jets career.

He will now become an unrestricted free agent who could sign with any team beginning on July 1.

According to the CapFriendly website, a Wheeler buyout would result in a US $2.75 million cap hit for Winnipeg next year, which means a savings of US $5.5 million. However, an additional cap hit of US $2.75 million would be added for the 2024-25 campaign. The salary cap is expected to jump significantly by then, for what it’s worth.

Public rift with coach

Last season was undoubtedly Wheeler’s toughest, and not just because of the gruesome injury he suffered. New head coach, Rick Bowness, removed the captaincy he’d held since 2016 just before training camp. Adam Lowry took his official spot in the leadership group, joining Morrissey and Mark Scheifele as alternates.

Bowness, along with general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, said the idea was to create an environment where other players could expanded their roles. A novel idea in principle, but it’s clear Wheeler’s presence loomed large. At exit day interviews in April, right after the Jets had been eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights in five games, numerous players (including Morrissey and Lowry) referred to Wheeler as the unofficial captain of the team.

It was at that same media availability where a rift between Wheeler and Bowness appeared to play out on the podium.

Following Winnipeg’s season-ending loss in Sin City, an emotional Bowness told reporters he was “disappointed and disgusted” with his troops, including a lack of “pushback” when the going got tough. He said ”it’s the same crap” his team went through earlier in the year when an extended slump nearly cost them a playoff spot.

“We could have had those discussions behind closed doors. So I didn’t agree with how he handled himself after that game,” said Wheeler.

Several other players who followed Wheeler to the podium that day made similar, albeit more subdued, comments.

‘I gave it everything I had’

Wheeler appeared to recognize he may have already played his final game with the Jets. He mentioned agreeing to that contract extension after the Jets had gone to the Western Conference Final in 2018, believing the best was still to come.

“If 2018 didn’t happen, I wouldn’t have re-signed here,” he said. “The only reason I did is, I believed we had a chance to win, you know.

“I’ve dedicated my career to this place because I believed that we had the pieces to win. So from that standpoint, yeah, it’s disappointing to know that that didn’t come to fruition.”

Wheeler then seemed to get choked up when asked what he’d want his legacy to be, if that really was it for him.

“I mean… I gave it everything I’ve had. I hope that that’s good enough, you know what I mean,” he said.

“There wasn’t a day I took off, so I guess that’s the best you can do.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg