Rangers issue unexpected announcement on veterans future with the team

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Joshua Deeds
May 26, 2024 (4:12 PM)

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Blake Wheeler has been out since February on LTIR due to a serious leg injury and has been an option for Laviolette and company, since May 19th.

However, the team hasn't rushed the veteran winger back into the lineup as the past few weeks has been skating again recently, and last week has gotten rid of his non-contact jersey at practice.

Wheeler was even present during an optional skate, prior to the start of the Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday and mentioned he was available.

This has led coach Laviolette to compliment the 37-year-old struggle and persistence to deal with the injury to get back into playing form.

He has made significant strides to return to the lineup and with Jimmy Vesey out he could find himself playing soon.

"I think once you get rid of the red jersey, and the fact they take me off of the injured reserve, I think that's been my goal the whole time since I got hurt: to be an option and be available again. And that's where we're at," he said. "It's going to be in the coach's hands from there, but I'm ready in any capacity I can to help out."

Wheeler has been a member of the New York Rangers since he was bought out by the Winnipeg Jets, playing 12:34 TOI, posting 21 points( 9 G, 12 A), and playing 54 games before his injury in February.

Source: ESPN
Rangers' Blake Wheeler 'ready in any capacity' for East finals