Former New York Rangers forward Blake Wheeler may still have a future in the NHL. According to Shawn Hutcheon from The Fourth Period, the Boston Bruins are contemplating offering Wheeler a professional tryout.
A source close to the situation has told me the #NHLBruins are considering extending PTO (Professional Tryout) offers to forwards Blake Wheeler and Kailer Yamamoto.
— Shawn Hutcheon (@ShawnHutcheon) August 19, 2024
Blake Wheeler has hinted at the possibility of retirement after the season, but he has not officially made that decision.
“I have three kids: an 11-year-old, an 8-year-old, and a 6-year-old. The 11-year-old will be starting middle school next year,” Wheeler stated. “When making these decisions, I still love the game and enjoy playing, but I also want to be present for my children’s upbringing, so those are the factors I consider.”
In the past season, the 37-year-old recorded nine goals, 12 assists, and a total of 21 points across 54 games.
Wheeler sustained a severe leg injury in February, which sidelined him for the remainder of the regular season and most of the playoffs.
If the Bruins offer Wheeler a chance to revive his career, he could potentially serve as a valuable bottom-six forward for a Boston team aiming for the Stanley Cup.
How Rangers Are Affected by the Barclay Goodrow and Jacob Trouba Situation.
The Rangers’ Playoff Struggles and Uncertain Future.
According to Neil Smith, the former GM of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers, and Vic Morren, his co-host on the “NHL Wraparound” podcast, the Rangers are facing significant challenges that could derail their Stanley Cup aspirations.
Smith asserts that the Rangers have “problems of their own making,” citing the loss of alternate captain Barclay Goodrow as a potential locker room issue. Morren, a veteran of ESPN’s NHL coverage, also points out the Rangers’ struggles against the Florida Panthers, particularly their inability to “go hard to the net.”
The duo also raises concerns about the team’s leadership, with Smith suggesting that the Jacob Trouba “captain” controversy could escalate if the defenseman is demoted to the third pairing. However, this issue may pale in comparison to the impending contract negotiations between goaltender Igor Shesterkin and the Rangers’ management.
Smith believes that Shesterkin will demand to be the highest-paid goalie in the league, on par with Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy. He notes that while Vasilevskiy has two Stanley Cup wins, Shesterkin could argue that he hasn’t had the same level of team support to achieve that feat.
Both Smith and Morren agree that while the Rangers’ regular-season style is effective, they lack the necessary depth and physicality to win a Stanley Cup. Morren points out that the team spends too much time in their own zone and doesn’t play a “North-South game,” while Smith doubts their ability to engage in “meat grinder hockey” like the top teams.
Furthermore, Smith questions the long-term effectiveness of head coach Peter Laviolette, suggesting that his first season with a team is often his best, implying that the Rangers may face challenges in the coming years.
In conclusion, the Rangers appear to be stuck in a precarious position, facing internal conflicts, contract disputes, and a lack of depth and physicality that could prevent them from achieving their ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup. As Smith bluntly states, “The Rangers are stuck in ‘PARK,’ and I don’t see any improvement at all!”
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