There is no doubt that when it comes to winning games in the Stanley Cup playoffs, you need players that will play hard, throw the body around, and produce.
The New York Rangers did not have a good enough mix of the above-mentioned components this past season. As a result, the Rangers were knocked out in the first round by the New Jersey Devils in seven games.
To address some of these issues, the Rangers agreed to a one-year, $800,000 deal with forward Blake Wheeler on the first day of free agency. Wheeler, a long-time captain of the Winnipeg Jets and an original member of the Atlanta Thrashers brings a lot of different elements to the Blueshirts.
For starters, he can put up points. In 1,118 career games, he has 312 goals and 610 points for 922 points.
Here are his point totals over the last five seasons:
- 2018-19: 91 points in 82 games
- 2019-20: 65 points in 71 games
- 2020-21: 46 points in 50 games
- 2021-22: 60 points in 65 games
- 2022-23: 55 points in 72 games
As you can tell from the above-mentioned statistics, he can produce consistently. Yes, the Rangers already have guys that can do that, but it never hurts to add another one.
Secondly, the Rangers now have another leader. Wheeler was the captain of the Jets for seven seasons and is someone who led the Jets both on and off the ice.
Lastly, Wheeler brings some size to the Blueshirts. He is a six-foot-five power forward who goes hard to the net, creates traffic in front of opposing goaltenders, and knows how to get his stick on loose pucks around the crease.
While this may be a more complimentary role for Wheeler, this is still a good signing for the Blueshirts and one that will hopefully have a positive impact in the upcoming season.
