Wheeler
As expected, the Bruins and Blake Wheeler made it official today by agreeing to the $2.2 million, one-year award from the arbiter that was announced Thursday.
This was a fair ruling, and the Bruins aren’t in any bigger of a bind cap-wise than they were before the hearing. Considering Wheeler’s numbers and age in relation to comparable players and their production, the Bruins aren’t overpaying or underpaying for a legit top-six forward.
I’ll have more on as the weekend unfolds.
Published By mattk Fri. July 30, 2010 10:49 am EDT
Why is paying $2.2million for a “soft” 20+ goal scorer? Look around the rest of the league! Zherdev, notorious for not getting his nose dirty, and Frolov both just signed for $3million plus! All they do is score goals, but really don’t defend. Wheeler might not bang bodies all that much, but he still is a good defender. I agree that he may need to try and start checking more than he does, since he really doesn’t. But at the same time, you keep saying he has no heart, but I do remember him getting into a fight with an enforcer last season when the situation called for it. He looked like quite lost during the fight, but if you ask me, the willingness to get into such a scuffle shows quite a bit of heart for someone who doesn’t check all that much and is regularly accused of not having heart. So please, I have heard time and time again how Wheeler has no heart. Please consider that he expresses it in a manner different than Lucic. You don’t need to put people through the glass to have heart. It’s his and the coach’s job to get him to check more. Please reconsider your complaints.
It’s a win/ win. B’s either sign and trade him for what their looking for, or, they keep Wheeler and have a young guy that knows it’s time to produce or go home. He’s got a one year deal and he just took a PAY CUT. My guess is he produces, whether that is in Boston or somewhere else.
Goon I couldnt agree more..This kid has a ton of skill but no balls at all and he ll never reach his potential until he toughens up..
No surprise, you cant let this guy walk after, what I feel, is a fair ruling. Now, lets sign Seguin.
It will be interesting to see how PC an Co. handle the cap space going forward.
I look forward to checking this site on a multi-daily basis.
I think the Bruins have over paid for a soft player.
I’m OK with this. Fast forward to next season and the Bruins really only have to focus on four UFA/RFA’s expiring contracts: Bergeron, Chara, Stuart, Wheeler (and Seguin’s bonuses) all with $26 million in cap-space.
All considering Recchi retires, Ryder and Sturm are out the door, and Hunwick….well, who really cares about him?