Wheeler uncertain about future By: Ken Wiebe Posted: 5:45 PM CDT Tuesday, Jun. 4, 2024

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This article was published 04/06/2024 (490 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Blake Wheeler was non-committal about his future, so the possibility exists the former Winnipeg Jets captain may have played his final NHL game.

As the New York Rangers met with the media Tuesday morning, Wheeler didn’t use the word retirement when asked if he’s thought about what comes next, but he also wasn’t ready to declare he was coming back again either.

“I was so just focused on getting healthy and with everything that was going on with the team and trying to win, that’s been the focus,” Wheeler said in New York. “Now, I’ll just, sort of, re-evaluate and go from there.”

Do you want to play again next season?

“I don’t know,” said Wheeler.

Whether it was the rawness of the recent playoff elimination or the arduous rehabilitation process Wheeler had to go through in order to make it back to suit up in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final against the Florida Panthers, it was clear that the contemplation period is merely beginning.

“I have three kids, an 11 year old, an 8 year old and a 6 year old. My 11 year old is going to be in middle school next year,” said Wheeler. “When you come to make those decisions now, I still love the game, I still love to play, but I want to be around for their childhood too. Those are the things you weigh.”

Wheeler, who turns 38 on Aug. 31, had nine goals and 21 points in 54 games with the Rangers this season.

He suffered a significant leg injury on Feb. 15 in the first period of a game against the Montreal Canadiens and at the time, there was serious concern that his season — and career — could possibly be over.

Wheeler’s high pain threshold and dogged determination was on display as he worked his way back to earn a spot in the lineup last Tuesday.

Wheeler was banged up and scratched for the final two games of the Rangers playoff run.

His pursuit of the Stanley Cup has been a driving force for Wheeler and it’s not like his enthusiasm for the sport has waned.

“If anything, coming back from that (injury) re-lit the fire a little bit,” said Wheeler. “The sense of purpose in getting back out there. You’re able to find the love for it.”

Asked if he’d ever answered a question about his future in hockey with this level of uncertainty, Wheeler leaned on his trademark dry sense of humour before digging into the answer.

“Well, I don’t know,” quipped Wheeler, who inked a one-year deal worth $800,000 with the Rangers on July 1 after becoming an unrestricted free agent. “I think it’s different when you’re on a longer contract or you still have term. It’s hard to think about that. Now, obviously, not having that, it changes how you think a bit. Like I said, every year I continue to play, my kids get a little bit older.”

With that in mind, you can expect Wheeler to take some time to reflect and discuss the future with his wife Sam before making his final decision.

The Minnesota product has suited up in 1,172 games over 16 seasons and he’s racked up 321 goals, 622 assists and 943 points, adding 45 points in 66 playoff outings.

Twelve of those seasons were played with the 2.0 version of the Jets after he was acquired by the Atlanta Thrashers from the Boston Bruins in February of 2011.

Winnipeg is where Wheeler played his best hockey of his career and blossomed into a first-liner, delivering consecutive 91-point seasons in 2017-18 and 2018-19, when he was among the best right-wingers in the NHL.

The fifth overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft is the Jets’ franchise leader in multiple categories (including games played, assists and points) and though the final year of his contract was bought out, Wheeler left an imprint on the organization and is likely to have his number retired by the organization at some point down the road.

Baumgartner departs

It turns out there will be a coaching vacancy with the Manitoba Moose along with the two open spots on the Jets’ staff after Nolan Baumgartner departed to join the Ottawa Senators.

The Senators made the official announcement Tuesday morning, with Baumgartner reuniting with Travis Green.

Green and Baumgartner spent nine seasons on the same staff, including five with the Vancouver Canucks and another four with the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League.

Mike Yeo also joined Green’s staff, along with incumbents Daniel Alfredsson and Ben Sexton.

Baumgartner, a former Moose captain and AHL Hall of Famer, spent the past two seasons with head coach Mark Morrison and fellow assistant Eric Dubois with Manitoba.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X: @WiebesWorld