What led to Blake Wheeler’s unexpected absence for the remainder of the 2023-24 regular season with the New York Rangers?
One of the seasoned players for the New York Rangers, Blake Wheeler, saw his 2023-24 regular season come to an abrupt halt. The team announced on Friday that the 37-year-old forward would miss the remaining 28 games due to a lower-body injury, prompting his placement on long-term injured reserve.
Wheeler sustained the injury during the Rangers’ 7-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, where he fell awkwardly into the boards following a hit by Canadiens defenseman Jayden Struble. Teammates Chris Kreider and Vincent Trochek assisted him off the ice, but Wheeler had to be helped further by medical staff, eventually requiring a stretcher to reach the team’s dressing room.
This injury marks the first time Wheeler has missed playing time since joining the Rangers on a one-year, $1.1 million AAV contract last offseason, having appeared in every game prior to this incident.
With Wheeler moved to LTIR, the Rangers gain some salary cap relief heading into the trade deadline. While there is a possibility of his return this season, it would likely hinge on the team’s success in the playoffs. Details regarding the specific nature of Wheeler’s injury and the requirements for his return have not been disclosed.
In the 54 games he participated in this season, Wheeler, a native of Plymouth, Minnesota, contributed nine goals and 12 assists, ranking him eighth in team scoring. Throughout his extensive career spanning 1,172 games, which included a stint with the Boston Bruins, Wheeler has amassed 321 goals and 622 assists, inching closer to the coveted 1,000-point milestone. He has also accumulated 45 points in 65 playoff appearances, primarily with the Winnipeg Jets.
Despite Wheeler’s absence, the Rangers, boasting a record of 35-16-3, continue to lead the Metropolitan Division, maintaining an eight-point advantage over the Carolina Hurricanes. They are set to face their rivals, the New York Islanders, in the second game of the Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
