Blake Wheeler signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the New York Rangers on Saturday. The deal came with a possible $300,000 in bonuses.
Wheeler was an unrestricted free agent after he had a final season of his five-year, $$1.25 million contract displayed by the Winnipeg Jets.
The Forward captained the Jets from 2016-22 before he was relieved of his duties this season. He had 55 points (16 goals, 29 assists) in 72 regular-season games last season and six points (two goals, four assists) in five Stanley Cup Playoff games.
“I want to thank everyone in Winnipeg for all the love and support over these past 12 years,” Wheeler said. “It has been my absolute honour and privilege to be a Winnipeg Jet and to represent this city and organization. My family and I can’t thank everyone in the city and province enough for everything you’ve done for us. Winnipeg is always going to be a home to myself, my wife Sam, and our children: Louie, Leni, and Mase. Thank you so much for the support, love and friendship that you’ve shown us these past 12 years and we look forward to rooting on the Jets in the future.”
Chosen by the Phoenix Coyotes in the first round (No.5) of the 2004 NHL Draft, Wheeler has 922 points (312 goals, 610 assists) in 1,118 regular-season games for the Jets, Atlanta Thrashers and Boston Bruins and 45 points (10 goals, 35 assists) in 65 playoff games. He is first in games (897), assists (550) and points (812) in Jets/Thrashers history and third in goals (262).
Blake was not the only player signed to the Rangers on Saturday, Jonathan Quick penned down a one-year $825,000 contract with the team. It includes a possible $100,000 in bonuses.
Quick was 16-15-6 with a 3.41 goals-against average, .882 save percentage and two shutouts in 41 regular-season fanes (36 starts) for the Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings last season, plus 5-2-2 with a 3.13 GAA, .901 save percentage and one shutout in 10 games (nine starts) after he was bought in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 2.
Jonathan did not play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Golden Knights, who won the Cup. He also won the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2012 with the Kings.
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Forwards Riley Nash and Alex Belzile were also signed by the Rangers, each to a two-year contract, and forward Tyle Pitlick to a one-year contract.
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