Latest news with #BlakeWheeler
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Coyotes Pick, Jets Legend: Blake Wheeler's Uncommon NHL Journey Ends As Winger Retires
Very quietly this week, longtime NHL forward Blake Wheeler announced his retirement. Wheeler hadn't played since the 2023-24 season, but even after waiting a year to hang up his skates, Wheeler has played 1,172 regular-season games and 66 more Stanley Cup playoff games. He can hold his head high on a career well done.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Boston Bruins Forward Officially Retires
After sitting out the 2024-25 season, former Boston Bruins forward Blake Wheeler has officially announced his retirement.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- 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.
Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Former Jets captain officially hangs up blades
The end officially came for a Winnipeg Jets 2.0 legend on Saturday. The team's long-time captain, Blake Wheeler, announced his retirement from the NHL after 16 NHL seasons. Wheeler, 38, hadn't played a game since the 2023-24 season when he put up nine goals and 21 points in 54 games with the New York Rangers. His regular season was cut short when he was injured on Feb 15, but he did suit up for one playoff game on May 28 against the Florida Panthers. It would be his only playoff appearance that season. Winnipeg Jets right wing Blake Wheeler (26) celebrates his goal during first period NHL hockey action against the Toronto Maple Leafs, in Toronto, Thursday, March 31, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn Wheeler played 13 seasons with the Jets/Thrashers franchise, and was its captain from 2016 to 2022. Wheeler was taken fifth overall in the 2004 draft by the Phoenix Coyotes. He played 1,172 NHL games for the Boston Bruins, Atlanta Thrashers, Jets and Rangers and put up 943 points (321 goals and 622 assists). He also recorded 10 goals and 45 points in 66 playoff games. After having the captaincy taken away from him in Winnipeg and then being bought out by the team, Wheeler signed with the Rangers. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Wheeler ranks first in games (897), assists (550) and points (812) and fourth in goals (262) in Jets/Thrashers history. His 39 playoff points when the team (nine goals, 30 assists) rank third. Among American born players in the NHL, Wheeler is 26th in games played, 25th in goals, 11th in assists and 14th in points all-time.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
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. The 2026 NHL free agent class is shaping up to be one of the most star-studded in league history. Unless top names re-sign before hitting the open market, this group could bring major changes across the league. Superstars like Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, and Artemi Panarin are expected to headline the class, and fans around the league are already imagining what it would be like to see one of these elite players join their team. For Winnipeg Jets fans, one name stands out as a realistic and intriguing option: Colorado Avalanche winger Martin Necas. The 26-year-old has become a steady 70 to 80-point producer with room to grow. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing nearly 200 pounds, he is a force on the ice. His powerful stride and strong frame have led analysts like Spittin' Chiclets' Ryan Whitney to describe him as a "horse on skates." Former Jets Captain Blake Wheeler Announces Retirement Former Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler has announced his retirement from professional hockey. Drafted 12th overall in 2017, Necas has delivered in key moments. He recorded 13 points in 18 playoff games in 2019 and added five points during Colorado's recent seven-game series against Dallas, proving he can contribute when the pressure is highest. Necas is entering the final year of a two-year bridge deal that carries a cap hit of $6.5 million, which is considered team-friendly given his production. With the Avalanche starting to shed depth players in cost-cutting moves, such as trading Miles Wood and Charlie Coyle to Columbus for a prospect and two draft picks, Colorado may be open to moving Necas to restock their prospect pool and draft capital. There have also been reports suggesting that the Avalanche are concerned Necas may choose to explore free agency rather than re-signing. This presents an opportunity for Winnipeg. The Jets have a deep prospect pool and valuable picks that could be used in a trade. Acquiring Necas would fill a key need, providing a top-six winger who could immediately slot in on the top line next to Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele. A long-term extension for Necas is expected to be in the range of $9 to $10 million per season, a figure Winnipeg can fit into their current cap structure. Necas may ultimately decide to remain in Colorado and compete for another Stanley Cup, but he could also find a great fit in Winnipeg, where he would play a leading role on a team with championship aspirations. Winnipeg Inks Six-Year Extension With Gabe Vilardi The Winnipeg Jets have agreed to terms on a six-year extension with Gabe Vilardi.
