Confirmed with Link: Rangers sign Blake Wheeler [1Y/800K]

[bobbop]

I told you…

 

[Do you want ants]

Ehlers has become a grittier player for the jets. Wheeler isn't the player today that people are thinking of 3 years ago

He’s signed at 800k. People on here wanted to sign Motte for more. If he works out it’s a top 6/9 player at a ridiculous price and if not, his salary can be buried.

 

[Whoot Whoot]

Really surprised at the price, great deal

 

[Ruggs225]

Inlove this signing. No risk, alot of reward.

Also, if we somehow suck this year he can easily be traded for a pick at the deadline.

 

[Kakko]

Personally, I'm happy to sign a good player who might outperform Kakko (although he really shouldn't at this point) rather than a bad player who'll get the kids more opportunities by virtue of being bad.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

Again, if you think he's playing 3rd line w Kreider then that's cute. He is trending down, is not a good skater on a team that is bad skating overall, and will absolutely cut into ice time next year. This org can never look outside the box to identify players that just need a bigger role to be able to contribute. They marry themselves to retreads all the time.

I don't care about whether he's 2nd or 3rd line minutes. They are basically the same. You don't get it. He's not a retread. He's still productive and wants to win. 800k for a potential 55-60 point player in a position of need is a no brainer. What 800k young players are out there and available that fit the top 6 RW role? They have weak RW depth and don't want to take unnecessary risks with a thin roster atthat position. If you think somebody like Othmann is going to step right in and assume a top 6 role that's cute. Were you happy seeing Vesey and Goodrow in the top 6 last year? There is plenty of time to see which combinations work best. It's good to have options. We also have a new coach so I'm hopeful he will make smart lineup decisions. Kakko and Laf will absolutely get ample opportunity with Lavy. This signing is a no brainer dude.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

At 800k no ones balls are on the line if a kid comes out of no where and pushes him down the lineup. He's not like other vets that were basically guaranteed top 6 minutes and pp time. Zero acquisition cost and league min dollars. Thats a no risk move for a big winger who has been productive as recently as last season.

 

[Daves a mess]

apparently wheeler hasnt been good on the PP in recent years, but he wont even be on the 1st unit here.

He'll take Kreiders spot on PP 2

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

If we’re worried about wheeler taking time away from the kids it’s a legit worry. Hell Goodrow already did at times so. But that’s on the Rangers then. Wheeler should ideally be on 3rd line and floating to RW2 if needed

AFP btw had Wheeler projected at 3x2

 

[NickyFotiu]

What does Wheeler bring to New York?

Blake Wheeler used to scorch his way through the neutral zone. His top speed was frightening and his willingness to bulldog his way around people on his way to the net bordered on unstoppable. The Rangers aren’t getting that elite five-on-five play driver, but that’s not remotely the point.
At one year, $800,000, plus $300,000 in potential performance bonuses, Wheeler is a great bet to provide plenty of surplus value. That top speed is flagging and his stops and starts are outright slow by NHL standards but Wheeler’s vision with the puck remains world class. His passing is still superlative and he does a good job of using his frame to protect the puck along the wall to buy time to make dangerous passes.
What does it all mean? Wheeler will be a productive, playmaking winger if New York can pair him with linemates who control the flow of play. Give him a middle-six role and quality linemates, plus any amount of power play time and he’ll provide tremendous value for his contract as a secondary scorer. Asking for more than that at this stage of his career would be folly. — Ates

Rangers sign Blake Wheeler to 1-year deal

The deal will include a $800,000 salary and $300,000 available in performance bonuses, per sources.

theathletic.com

If we’re worried about wheeler taking time away from the kids it’s a legit worry. Hell Goodrow already did at times so. But that’s on the Rangers then. Wheeler should ideally be on 3rd line and floating to RW2 if needed

AFP btw had Wheeler projected at 3x2

In my opinion Goody never "took" time away from the kids. Goody was only looked at as a fill in when the kids did not step up.

 

[haohmaru]

People are bitching about THIS? This place is borderline comical sometimes.

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

Kreider-Zib-Kakko
Panarin-Chytil-Laf
Goodrow-Trocheck-Wheeler
Cuylle- ? - Vesey

something like this?

People are bitching about THIS? This place is borderline comical sometimes.

I get he’s not a perfect (speed needed) but at league min? You take the risk every time.

Add speed at trade deadline.

 

[Trxjw]

Nothing wrong with this if he can assimilate himself in the room without bringing any baggage with him. Still a pretty solid player and that's a great number. Our RW depth heading into today was Kakko, a guy just about everyone wants to see traded, and Jimmy Vesey on his off-wing.

My only real concern is the team tries to stack the first PP and the kids get even less of an opportunity there but I don't think there's a shot he and Kakko aren't our top-six RWs to start the eyar.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Kreider-Zib-Kakko
Panarin-Chytil-Laf
Goodrow-Trocheck-Wheeler
Cuylle- ? - Vesey

something like this?


I get he’s not a perfect (speed needed) but at league min? You take the risk every time.

Add speed at trade deadline.

I'd prefer Goody moved if possible. I'd also would really like a fast hard hitting 4th line that is really heavy to play against. Not sure what to do with Vesey.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

What does Wheeler bring to New York?

Rangers sign Blake Wheeler to 1-year deal

The deal will include a $800,000 salary and $300,000 available in performance bonuses, per sources.

theathletic.com

In my opinion Goody never "took" time away from the kids. Goody was only looked at as a fill in when the kids did not step up.

That's a good summation of his role and what it should be. Steal of a deal for 800k. If Kakko, Laf, and Chytil continue to grow and make progress as they should this is going to be a very good team.

 

[bleedblue94]

He’s signed at 800k. People on here wanted to sign Motte for more. If he works out it’s a top 6/9 player at a ridiculous price and if not, his salary can be buried.

This isn't about the money, this is about role. People started saying he's not going to cut in significantly to opportunities for other players that we have her already, and the point that I'm making is is that he took the cheap money that he did here because he knows that he will play with one of our two superstars. He didn't sign for 800k to come here and play on a third line. That's what my issue is that other people are pushing back against. The 800k was done on purpose so we could come here so that he could play with one of the two superstars to rebuild his value for a big contract next year. Now if that's the plan whatever, but you can't say that's the plan and then also turn around and say it's not going to affect opportunities for the two kids that everybody wants to see grow into bigger roles. It's a complete contradiction, and that's what my issue is with this whole thing. Unless both Kreider and Wheeler are on a third line and wheeler isn't eating up significant power play time then he will indeed because cutting into those opportunities for kakko and laffy. If you're okay with that then be happy about the signing, but all we have heard since Turk got fired was that they wanted to make sure that those guys had a bigger role going forward. The other big issue for me is that Wheeler does absolutely nothing to address any of the weaknesses with this roster. He's not a heavy for checker, he doesn't have top end speed anymore, he's not an elite skater in general, And he's also not a crease crasher anymore like he used to be at times. He doesn't address any of the significant weaknesses in this roster other than a positional need which to me just doesn't good enough after watching last year.

You're going to end up with

Kreider zib kakko
Panarin chytil Wheeler
Laffy trocheck vesey
Junk

 

[ecemleafs]

Kreider Trocheck Wheeler is a good line on paper.

leaves Panarin, Zibanejad, Lafreniere, Kakko, Chytil. This teams chances of winning the cup really depends on Laf and Kakko being legit top 6 guys tho. If those guys take the next step and become really good to great players than the Rangers team is loaded.

 

[NickyFotiu]

That's a good summation of his role and what it should be. Steal of a deal for 800k. If Kakko, Laf, and Chytil continue to grow and make progress as they should this is going to be a very good team.

Also have to keep in mind we were starting without two RW (Tank and Kane) that we ended the season with. Whether its first, second or third line we need RW players.

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

This isn't about the money, this is about role. People started saying he's not going to cut in significantly to opportunities for other players that we have her already, and the point that I'm making is is that he took the cheap money that he did here because he knows that he will play with one of our two superstars. He didn't sign for 800k to come here and play on a third line. That's what my issue is that other people are pushing back against. The 800k was done on purpose so we could come here so that he could play with one of the two superstars to rebuild his value for a big contract next year. Now if that's the plan whatever, but you can't say that's the plan and then also turn around and say it's not going to affect opportunities for the two kids that everybody wants to see grow into bigger roles. It's a complete contradiction, and that's what my issue is with this whole thing. Unless both Kreider and Wheeler are on a third line and wheeler isn't eating up significant power play time then he will indeed because cutting into those opportunities for kakko and laffy. If you're okay with that then be happy about the signing, but all we have heard since Turk got fired was that they wanted to make sure that those guys had a bigger role going forward. The other big issue for me is that Wheeler does absolutely nothing to address any of the weaknesses with this roster. He's not a heavy for checker, he doesn't have top end speed anymore, he's not an elite skater in general, And he's also not a crease crasher anymore like he used to be at times. He doesn't address any of the significant weaknesses in this roster other than a positional need which to me just doesn't good enough after watching last year.

You're going to end up with

Kreider zib kakko
Panarin chytil Wheeler
Laffy trocheck vesey
Junk

What if he plays with Kreider and Tro? They are good players too

 

[bleedblue94]

What if he plays with Kreider and Tro? They are good players too

If he does then panarin is playing w zib and kakko probably and then chytil and laffy are on the 3rd line w vesey. Some massive evolution from last year...

 

[tomobson]

Can't complain. Kreider/Trocheck/Wheeler. Those three should cause havoc at the net. It would be nice to get that out of one of the top two lines for once. I wouldn't mind seeing Laf getting first crack at that RW spot, though. Goodrow/Chytil/Wheeler is an okish third line if they go that route. Keep the fancy boy + Kakko on the top line. At this point Panarin needs the best players on the team on his line to get the most out of him.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

Also have to keep in mind we were starting without two RW (Tank and Kane) that we ended the season with. Whether its first, second or third line we need RW players.

Definitely. RW was absolutely a position of dire need. I don't want to see Goodrow or Vesey playing top 6 minutes again. As I have said, this is a no brainer signing with the cap space we had. Drury did fantastic today.

 

[KingDeathMetal]

55 pts in 72 games last year, 6 pts in 5 playoff games, and we signed him for $800k. This is an amazing deal.

Blake will prob outscore Tarasenko next season. For a fraction of what Vlad costs.

This is good business. And worst case scenario, he's easy to trade.

 

[Machinehead]

I want young players with wheels and tenacity yo address the lack of those things in the top six. I’d rather pay young, hungry guy to get dirty and drive the other team nuts than a way past his prime former star to be bad at being a scorer.

This is just ageism.

Wheeler is an effective player and you don't like him because of a number.

 

[ecemleafs]

This is just ageism.

Wheeler is an effective player and you don't like him because of a number.

looked like he was still a good offensive even strength player last year. keep him away from the PP cuz his stats sucked in recent years on the PP.