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Blake Wheeler Pens Messsage to Jets Fans Following Retirement
Blake Wheeler Pens Messsage to Jets Fans Following Retirement

Yahoo

time3 days ago

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

Blake Wheeler Pens Messsage to Jets Fans Following Retirement

Longtime member of the Winnipeg Jets and former captain Blake Wheeler recently announced his retirement from professional hockey. This weekend, he released a lengthy statement to fans, his playing cities, coaches and family as a thank-you to important figures in his life. The full message from Wheeler: With the news out that my playing days are behind me, I wanted to share a message of gratitude for all of the opportunities I've received over the years. Thank you to every coach, staff member, and fan who supported me along the way. A special thank you to all of the medical and equipment trainers I had the pleasure of working with. To my teammates: you pushed me to be my best, and I leave the game with friendships that will last a you to the Phoenix Coyotes, Boston Bruins, Atlanta Thrashers, and New York Rangers for the opportunity to wear your sweaters. It was an honor every time I stepped on the ice. To the city of Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Jets organization, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You embraced me and my family from day one and gave me the honor of serving as your captain. Together, we built something special. I'll never forget stepping on the ice for The Whiteout for every big playoff game at home. The energy, the pride, the connection. It was unforgettable. It was more than hockey. It was home. To my parents, Pat and Jim, thank you for your unwavering support. When no one believed in me, you did, and I will always be grateful. To my kids, Louie, Leni, and Mase, sharing this journey with you has been the greatest joy of these past 16 years. I love you. Sam, you have been by my side every step of the way. No one has supported me like you, and I'm thankful for your love and friendship. I love you forever and always. I owe everything I have in this world to the game of hockey, and for that, I am truly grateful. Blake Wheeler

Can Winnipeg Contend After Losing Key Players in Lowry, Ehlers?
Can Winnipeg Contend After Losing Key Players in Lowry, Ehlers?

Yahoo

time21-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

Can Winnipeg Contend After Losing Key Players in Lowry, Ehlers?

Examining the Winnipeg Jets roster following lineup losses like Adam Lowry, Nikolaj Ehlers and Mason Appleton. The Winnipeg Jets are going to look very different next season following the franchise's best ever season with a 56‑22‑4 record and a President's Trophy win. The only concern is the losses across the lineup and if the team will be able to respond. Due to injuries, captain Adam Lowry looks like he won't play a majority of the 2025-26 season and middle-six forwards Nikolaj Ehlers and Maple Appleton left for new teams in free agency. The good news is the Jets made some impactful offseason adds like signing a three-time Stanley Cup champion and Hall-of-Fame talent in Jonathan Toews plus also nabbing 75-point scorer in 2023, Gustav Nyquist. They made bottom-six adds in Tanner Pearson and Cole Koepke. Only time will tell if the moves will be a positive or a negative for the Jets as a lot will be asked of certain players and others will need to step up in the meantime. Former Jets Captain Blake Wheeler Announces Retirement Former Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler has announced his retirement from professional hockey. Replacing the Impactful Third Line One of the biggest reasons for the Jets success over the last two seasons has been their third line of Nino Niederreiter, Adam Lowry and Mason Appleton. The trio finished with 22 goals for and only 12 against over 544 minutes of ice time together this past season. The year prior, they were the league's most effective line, logging a team-high 682 minutes while allowing the fewest goals among any line in the NHL that played at least 450 minutes. It'll be a hard to replace such a physical, hard-checking line that made such an impact in other ways besides the scoresheet but they are getting an improvement with Vladislav Namestnikov dropping to the third line. With Toews moving to the second line centre spot, Namestnikov gets a much better fitting, more opportunistic role as the third line centre as he will get a better chance to succeed when going against weaker opposing lines that are lower in the lineup. He is expected to play alongside Niederreiter in his normal spot along with Alex Iafallo. Namestnikov should be able to carry this line in a more offensive way than Lowry's edition of the line while a player like Toews, who is known as one of the best two-way forwards of his generation could help pick up the defensive efforts with his second line unit instead. Winnipeg Inks Six-Year Extension With Gabe Vilardi The Winnipeg Jets have agreed to terms on a six-year extension with Gabe Vilardi. Top Line Improves With Kyle Connor Contract Year The Jets top line was one of the most lethal in the NHL this past season with the most minutes played together at 907 minutes over 71 games, and were the second-best scoring line in the league with 48 goals. Out of the Jets' 275 goals last season, Connor, Scheifele, and Vilardi combined for 107 goals, finishing as the team's top three scorers in that order. The line should be elevated to an even higher level as Connor is looking to break the bank with his next deal and would like to stay at or improve on his 41 goal total from this past season. More Depth Options Than Ever There are more and more up-and-coming Manitoba Moose players at the AHL level looking to get a longer look at the NHL level. The two most notable options for this is high-end prospects Brad Lambert and Nikita Chibrikov. We recently looked at lineup adjustments Scott Arniel could look at to better use these skilled youngsters next season and this competition will only push success out of every one else. Pearson joined the Jets as a decent 30-35 point option in a bottom six role alongside Koepke, who is coming off a career-best season with 17 points and will be tested for their spots in the lineup. The competition doesn't stop there as Morgan Barron and David Gustafsson, who filled bottom-six roles last season, will also be in the mix again. The battle for these lineup spots will be intense, and with more options comes the potential for a deeper, more effective roster. As Lowry returns from injury late in the season, a player like Namestnikov or another current top-nine forward could be bumped down to the fourth line, which would only strengthen that unit further. Could Winnipeg Target Pending Free Agent Martin Necas? Insider reports indicate the Avalanche feeling forward Martin Necas may not re-sign and could look to deal him.

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