Blake Wheeler’s stock has risen since trade from Boston

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This article was published 21/12/2017 (2824 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BOSTON — Almost seven years ago, the Boston Bruins were on a run that would take them to a Stanley Cup title and Blake Wheeler was one of the chips they played to get there.

The then 24-year-old third-line Bruins forward was shipped along with blue-liner Mark Stuart to the Atlanta Thrashers in a pre-deadline deal for forwards Rich Peverley and defenceman Boris Valabik. Peverley became a valuable part of Boston’s Cup run but Valabik slipped into anonymity, confirming his status as a first-round draft bust.

It was one of the best deals Atlanta GM Rick Dudley ever made. Stuart is out of the NHL, but Wheeler’s stock has risen steadily since the franchise transferred to Winnipeg in the summer of 2011. He’s now the captain and conscience of the Jets, the guy that drives the team.

“I was an inconsistent player and had an inconsistent role,” said Wheeler prior to Thursday’s game at TD Garden. “And when I got traded, regardless of how I played, I was playing 20 minutes a night (in Atlanta) and I think that sort of helps you figure yourself out a little bit. Figure out what you’re good at and what you need to work on.

“At the end of the day, if you’re out there that much, it’s on you to make things happen. It was great for me to grow personally to get that type of exposure, get that type of a role… it helped me, gave me a kick in the rear a little bit. You know, you get traded from a team that wins the Stanley Cup, it’s kind of a slap in the face.”

The assembled Boston media gave Jets head coach Paul Maurice another chance to sing the captain’s praises.

“I can’t overstate the quality of the job he did last year,” said Maurice. “We had a really young team, again, that got devastated by injuries, in a Canadian market. There’s lots of frustration through the whole year, and he didn’t show it in his play and he didn’t show it in the locker room. Appropriately, he is one of finest captains that I’ve ever had. His consistency on a daily basis, his ability to drive, the impact he’s had on our young players — our whole team — is invaluable for their development for the next 15 years.”

Maurice also compared Wheeler to two of the best captains to play for him.

“There are certain players that you have that have an impact, not only on the room, but on the coaching staff as well,” said Maurice. “Ronnie Francis was like that, Matts Sundin was like that and Blake Wheeler’s like that. You come to the rink and you know you’ve gotta do your job that day.”

Postma not surprised: Defenceman Paul Postma, who spent the first eight seasons of his professional career with the Thrashers/Jets organization, is finding his way with Bruins but he’s also keeping a close eye on his old teammates.

Is he surprised by Winnipeg’s success in 2017-18?

“Not really. I guess they got rid of the bad apple, eh? Trim the fat,” said Postma with a chuckle. “No, I’m not surprised. They’ve had a really good roster for a couple of years now and they’ve had a younger team and those guys have been around the league for a few years now. They’ve found (themselves) and are comfortable playing with each other. They’re a fast team and they have a little bit of everything. And Hellebuyck in net has really found his game lately. I keep an eye on them fairly close. They’re a well-rounded team.”

Moving to Beantown hasn’t been a smooth transition. While he loves the city, he had only played in 12 of Boston’s first 32 games entering Thursday.

“Life is good,” said the 25-year-old, who signed a one-way, one-year deal worth US$725,000 with Boston in the off-season. “Hockey could be going a little better but I love it here. It’s a great group of guys. Really accepting. It didn’t take long for me to feel at home here and we’re playing well, so that’s all that matters right now.”

The talent logjam, with Boston’s head coach Bruce Cassidy working in a number of young players, has helped to keep him out of the lineup.

“I kinda knew when I came in that I was going to be battling for a spot and that was OK with me,” said Postma. “I think the situation was a little better than in Winnipeg, so I knew what I had to do coming in here, but there’s a couple of young guys that have played very well and they’ve played for Cassidy in the past so he knows what they’re all about. We’ve got (Charlie) McAvoy, a young first-year guy coming in here, he’s almost Calder-talk worthy. He’s been playing lights out, and (Matt) Grzelcyk has been playing really well as well.”

Making the bigs: Rookie Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk says cracking the NHL is not a simple matter.

In 28 games entering Thursday’s action, the 21-year-old Edmonton product had eight goals and 18 points.

“Yeah, I would say it’s been a roller coaster,” said DeBrusk. “There’s been highs and lows. I think that one of the biggest things was I had a very good start and then it kinda went down from there. We were dealing with a number of injuries and I was put in different positions, but I was a healthy scratch at one point this year. I’ve never been a healthy scratch before. I did well after that, but then I got benched against the Rangers three games ago and I responded well. It seems like I’ve learned how to respond, I just don’t want to be put in those positions.”

DeBrusk has an excellent support network. His dad, Louie DeBrusk, is a former NHLer currently working as a game analyst for Sportsnet based in the Western Conference.

“We talk after every game,” said Jake, Boston’s first-round (14th overall) pick in the 2015 draft. “He’s the biggest reason why I’m here. He watches every game. He may be doing a game in Winnipeg or Calgary but he’ll watch the game after.”

Louie has yet to work one of Jake’s games, but his son is circling Feb. 20 on his calender, the day the Bruins visit the Oilers in Edmonton. Louie is scheduled to be between the benches that night.

“That would be really cool — I’m trying to survive until then,” said Jake with a laugh.

Taking his lumps: Josh Morrissey blocked seven shots in Winnipeg’s 6-4 win in Nashville Tuesday night and entering Thursday’s action, the 22-year-old defender led the Jets with 72 blocks, good for 14th overall in the NHL. Kris Russell of the Edmonton Oilers led the league with 99.

“It’s part of the game where you have to do it,” said Morrissey. “It’s part of a commitment level to your team and trying to win. It hurts, but it’s something I try to take pride in. I have a mindset trying not to let a shot get to the net, whether it’s blocking it with your stick or getting your body in front of it…

“That’s the price you try to pay to win games.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14