NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Greg Wyshynski, ESPNFeb 16, 2024, 09:22 PM ET
CloseGreg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — Blake Wheeler saw his regular season end in the New York Rangers’ win over Montreal on Thursday night, as the veteran forward injured his right leg.
As the Rangers prepare for their Stadium Series game against the New York Islanders on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the loss of the 37-year-old Wheeler was weighing heavily on them.
“As much as these guys are teammates, we lost a friend. He’s obviously going through something that no one wants to go through, so there’s more to it than just the impact on the team,” said Rangers captain Jacob Trouba. “We all care a lot about the hockey and our jobs, but we’re also humans and friends and have families outside the rink.”
Trouba was Wheeler’s teammate for six seasons in Winnipeg before the two were reunited this season with the Rangers.
“I’m not saying this is true, but maybe he played his last hockey game [last night]. That’s something that you see as a player and as a friend. It’s emotional. It’s something you think about so that you don’t take things for granted here,” Trouba said. “And for me it’s a little extra tough. He’s a guy I looked up to and he’s helped me a lot in my career.”
Wheeler went down in pain 11 minutes into New York’s 7-4 win. His right leg bent at an unnatural angle and he was unable to put weight on that leg and needed help getting off the ice. The Rangers placed him on injured reserve Friday.
heeler has 21 points in 54 games in his first season with the team after being bought out of his previous contract last summer by Winnipeg.
“He’s been amazing since he’s been here. His presence, he comes into work every day positive, hardworking. He was committed to being a part of this team and making it successful and he did that both in the room and on the ice,” said Rangers coach Peter Laviolette. “And when you lose a veteran player like that, with such an impact in the room,…
Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39542138/rangers-lament-loss-veteran-blake-wheeler-season
Author : Greg Wyshynski
Publish date : 2024-02-17 02:23:59
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
