The Toronto Maple Leafs could be a potential suitor for a former all-star and longtime NHL veteran who has gone unsigned in free agency.
With the NHL’s preseason only weeks away, the Toronto Maple Leafs could add some veteran depth in their lineup by signing forward Blake Wheeler to a PTO.
The Leafs continue to face certainty in their bottom-six with winger Nick Robertson having requested a trade from the team due to a lack of opportunity, and the potential of rookies Easton Cowan & Fraser Minten not making the team this season.
Blake Wheeler still remains unsigned to a contract, but the soon-to-be 38-year-old may not be without a team for long, according to recent reports.
Shawn Hutcheon of ‘The Fourth Period’ shared that the Boston Bruins are potentially considering Wheeler, along with fellow free agent Kailer Yamamoto, for tryout deals, returning Wheeler to the team he started his NHL career with.
A 16 year veteran of the NHL, Blake Wheeler was a first round pick of the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. After not signing in Phoenix, Wheeler signed as a free agent out of college with the Bruins, spending three years with the team before signing with the Atlanta Thrashers in 2011, who relocated to Winnipeg in the offseason.
Wheeler spent 13 seasons with the Thrashers/Jets franchise, first all-time in games played (897), assists (550), & points (812). Wheeler is third in franchise goals with 282.
A modest top line forward, Blake Wheeler had his best showings in his 30’s, netting back-to-back 91 point seasons at age 31/32 in 2018 & 2019 with Winnipeg, getting two all-star appearances in the process. Wheeler led the NHL in assists in 2018 with 68.
Blake Wheeler, 37, had 9 goals, 12 assists & 21 points in 54 games as a member of the New York Rangers in the 2023-24 NHL season.
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