Does Wheeler have a chance at making the B's?

If you read what Blake has to say it appears he thinks so. The article is right he will be one of the bigger Bruins up front if he makes the team. If he makes the team.

Looking forward, Blake Wheeler has shot
By Stephen Harris
WILMINGTON - Take a look at the list of Bruins [team stats] forwards returning from last year, and it seems obvious there will be several incumbents who are not with the team when the season starts.

That logjam of talent up front - at least 16 players with worthy claims for NHL jobs - certainly doesn’t bode well for the chances of any rookie to stick around.

Yet if you drop by Ristuccia Arena the next few days, check out a kid who probably has as good a shot as any, a youngster who, at 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds, will be hard to miss - ex-Minnesota Gophers power forward Blake Wheeler.

Based on the pedigree of NHL draft selection, the 22-year-old Wheeler is the thoroughbred of the B’s freshman class, having been picked fifth overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in 2004 as a Minnesota high school player.

Four years later, Wheeler declined a contract offer from the Coyotes, became a free agent and signed with the Bruins in July, reportedly getting a two-year deal for $875,000 per season.

“It was the opportunity to be an unrestricted free agent at age 21 and choose where you have a chance to play, what team and what city,” said Wheeler’s agent, Matt Keator, who acknowledged his client would have made slightly more money with the Coyotes.

“But it’s not about money in your first contract,” he said. “It’s more about opportunity and having the chance to choose where you play.”

Wheeler looks at the B’s and liked the fact that, under general manager Peter Chiarelli and coach Claude Julien, many young players have been given prominent roles.

Wheeler will try hard over the coming days and weeks to prove to the brass he’s ready for such a role. This is a very interesting prospect, who skates well for his size, has good finishing skill and shows some willingness to toss his weight around. The Bruins are not real big up front, and Wheeler’s extra-large body would come in handy.

“That’s a big thing I always try to bring to the table, that I’m always working hard and always trying to compete,” Wheeler said. “Using my size the best way is something that hasn’t always been a natural thing for me.