Patrice Bergeron vs Blake Wheeler (Video)

Announcer, "We've got Wheeler and Bergeron. Really."

I couldn't believe it either. Patrice Bergeron came after Blake Wheeler. This was the fist fight for both players this season.

Neither players fight very often. Wheeler has been in seven NHL fights and Bergeron has been in four NHL fights.

Central Division Preview

With most training camps about to begin, I thought it would be appropriate to preview each division in the NHL. I will highlight a little about each team in the division, highlight key players on their teams, and how I think each team will end up come April.

Lets start off by giving praise to the surprise division champs of last season, the Colorado Avalanche. Forward Matt Duchene was plagued with injury last season, and was not much help in the playoffs because of this. He now is at 100% and ready to lead this team into another division title battle. This, however, will be done without the liking of Paul Stastny due to him moving on to St. Louis this upcoming season. This young team lead by Patrick Roy behind the bench will be a tough match up for anyone in the NHL and are once again a threat to win the division once again. However, one question I have on my mind, is will Nathan MacKinnon have the sophomore slump, or will he shine like his amazing rookie season? The Avalanche open up the season October 9th in Minnesota against their heated division rival.

Moving east, we have the team that fell and went splat at the end of the season, and in the first round of the playoffs, the St. Louis Blues. With the addition of Paul Stastny, the Blues hope that all of the pieces are now in place for a legitimate Stanley Cup run. With the leadership of David Backes

and TJ Oshie, the team is looking for a rebound after a terrible end to last season. The goalie situation is also solidified as well with the net belonging to Brian Elliot. St. Louis did bring in Ryan Miller for the stretch run last season, but didn't turn out too well for them. This is one of the deepest teams on paper in the entire NHL with the likes of Jaden Schwartz, Vladimir Tarasenko, Alexander Steen, among many others and will post a legit threat to a division crown, if not a Stanley Cup crown. The Blues open up the season October 9th at home against the New York Rangers.

Finishing third in the standings last season, the Chicago Blackhawks are looking to make their way back to the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in the last five years. As if this team couldn't find any more offensive depth, the Blackhawks went out to sign Brad Richards during free agency. However, he is a wild card. Will he play to his full potential, or will he be the inconsistent player the New York Rangers had seen the past couple seasons? One constant will be that no matter which line is on the ice, there always will be a threat to score. Whether it is Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa, Andrew Shaw, I think you get the point, there are 20 players on that bench who can step up and score when called upon.

That is what makes this team one of the most dangerous teams in the entire NHL. The Blackhawks open up the season by heading to Dallas to play the Stars on October 9th.

Finishing fourth was a very young, but surprisingly talented, Minnesota Wild team. It seemed like this team played with a grit after their dreadful six game losing streak midway through the season, that solidified them as a playoff team. With the addition of Thomas Vanek, and a healthy Jason Zucker, going into this season, the Wild are on the verge of being considered one of the NHL's elite teams. It's time to earn that honor by proving it on the ice with the young talent that has earned their right to play by working their way up through the AHL system. Coach Mike Yeo has all the pieces in place, so it seems, for a very memorable year in Minnesota, but that question mark in goal could be the one thing that holds them back from a possible trip to the Cup Finals. Can Josh Harding cope with his MS medications and be able to play a full season as the number one goalie? Will Niklas Backstrom stay healthy enough to stay in a strong back-up role? Then there is young

Darcy Kuemper, who still remains as an unsigned RFA, who proved that he is NHL ready to be a number one goalie. Where does he stand? If a deal is done, does he start in Iowa, or trade one of our other goalies to give him a spot with the big club? Things in Minnesota are going to be very exciting this season, but only if that goalie question mark gets solved, and fast. The Wild open up at home October 9th against the Colorado Avalanche.

Finishing fifth, and squeaking into the Western Conference's final playoff spot last season was the Dallas Stars. Tyler Seguin was a great addition to this team last season as he, and the rest of the Stars look to become a playoff contender for many years to come. Two major off season signings this season were those of Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky, giving the Stars a little more offensive punch in this very tough Central Division. In all honesty, I have absolutely no clue on where this team will end up, or how

competitive they will be in the division, or the NHL, but I will say the Stars shouldn't be a team the league overlooks. This is a team that may once again sneak into the playoffs, and possibly play spoiler to someone's playoff hopes and dreams come April. The Stars open up at home against the Chicago Blackhawks on October 9th.

Finishing just three points behind the Dallas Stars was the Nashville Predators. The Predators are a team that always seem tough to play no matter where they are in the standings, but that could be because of Shea Weber on the blue line, who knows. Seth Jones had a decent rookie campaign last season as well, and learning from one of the best defenders to ever play in this league, could he be

Weber's next Ryan Suter like prodigy? Another thing looking good for Nashville is the addition of James Neal. While in Pittsburgh, Neal sat back to the likes of Crosby, Letang, and Malkin, but will he be the number one offensive threat in Nashville? I say yes. Playing with key veterans like Mike Fischer, Derek Roy, Mike Ribeiro, and Matt Cullen, he has the potential to find the net a lot this season. Finally, they also have a healthy Pekka Rinne. One of the top goalies in the league will likely be a strong backbone to this up and coming Nashville roster, and they will need him if they want to contend for a playoff spot come March and April. Nashville opens up the season on October 9th as well at home against the Ottawa Senators.

Last, but not least, the Winnipeg Jets. Finishing off last season with 83 points, the Jets look to become a more competitive team within the division and fight for a playoff spot. This Jets roster is one that reminds me a lot of the 2002-2003 Minnesota Wild, in that they really don't have any superstar players on it, but have the pieces to be a playoff contender if they play simple hockey and each player plays their role well. Now some may argue that Evander Kane and Blake Wheeler have that potential to break out and be that dynamic superstar that the Jets are looking for, but I don't think the pieces are there on this current roster for them to do that. I see a team that is average, to just above average at best, and fans in Winnipeg are going to be very restless when the product on the ice won't be able to keep up in the Central as well as everyone else in the division.

As for will the Jets climb out of the cellar this year? No. They didn't do anything to impress me in the off season to make me think that and with this roster, I see the team being around 80 points again this season by the time it is all said and done. The Jets open up against the team formerly known as the Winnipeg Jets, the Arizona Coyotes, on October 9th.

Winnipeg Sun: Blake Wheeler is a leader and wants Evander Kane to join him

#481763057 / gettyimages.com

It interesting to see how this turns out during training camp. I suppose the fans shouldn't look too deeply into this. I would imagine that Wheeler and Kane will be "fine" during the season.

Ted Wyman, Winnipeg Sun -- Evander Kane needs to step up his game and be a leader.

Good for Wheeler. This is a player who has developed into leader himself over the last few seasons. He led the Jets in scoring last season and was the team's best player down the stretch, showing a great deal of character in the process. It would be a surprise if he’s not named an assistant captain this season.

The Jets need players who aren't afraid to speak their minds, even if they are stating the obvious, and they need players who are going to hold one another accountable. The Jets have missed the playoffs every year they've been in Winnipeg and the players should be demanding of each other if they ever hope to change that trend.

While Wheeler doesn't wear a letter, yet. Sometimes an older player on the team has to call out fellow teammates. In my opinion, that's part of the job description of a team leader. Personally, I am not so sure I would have used the print media to do this, but that's Wheeler's choice.


Kane sent out this tweet in response.

@BiggieFunke you could have just thrown me a text. #youcanfindmeatthetopofthecircle
— Evander Kane (@EKane9JETS) September 10, 2014

The Rivalry

Next Thursday, April 10th, 2014 is the day every NCAA hockey fan in the upper Midwest had hoped for since the addition of the NCHC and Big 10 this season, a MN vs. UND match-up. On the line is a trip to the national title game.

This is a rivalry that dates way back, but I am going to highlight some of the more exciting games in recent history, and a couple of older events between the two schools as well.

We will start back in 1979 in the national championship game. The then Fighting Sioux would match-up against the Gophers in a national title game for the first time in school history. The game, who many thought UND should have won, went into overtime and Minnesota native Neal Broten would score the game winner to earn Minnesota their third national championship.

Moving along to more recent times, one can't forget their many battles in the Final Five or even just in the regular season. We first go back to 2007 at Mariucci Arena. There is just over a minute left in the first period and the Sioux are down 3-2. Defenseman Robbie Bina clears the puck from the bottom of the circles, and 180 feet later, the puck is sitting behind Gopher goalie Jeff Frazee. I do believe that this is still the longest goal scored in NCAA history still, correct me if I am wrong.

Later in 2007 at the Final Five, Minnesota would counter this fluky Sioux goal with an overtime victory over the Sioux in the championship game. Trying to avoid an icing call, now Winnipeg Jets player, Blake Wheeler, would do a Superman like dive and chip the puck over the shoulder of JP Lamoureux to win the game. This was also the very first UND Gopher game that I ever attended. Unfortunately for me, I was young and influential so with how big of a Gopher fan my dad is, I was cheering for the dark side, however lets just not talk about that part of my life.

UND would get the last laugh in 2007. It would come in the West Regional championship game, once again in overtime. This goal was no fluke either. Sioux forward would gather up a lose puck, take it behind the net and have the wraparound of his life, putting the puck behind Frazee and sending the Sioux to the Frozen Four.

Among the many memories of scuffles, triumphs, and defeats, my personal favorite would have to be my very first Sioux Gopher game at the Ralph my freshman year at UND. It was a chilly January Friday, and our first weekend back from Winter break. Like the great UND students always do, I would wait in line for six hours that day, losing feeling in my feet, to get a seat on the glass for this epic battle. Little did I know it would be a game to remember. This game had everything. A lot of big hits, scrums, and great game speed. Oh yeah and a UND victory. What made this game memorable for me though is, then junior defenseman Andrew MacWilliam scoring his very first collegiate goal in his 102nd game played for the Sioux. Being right on the glass right next to where he shot the puck from made it just that much better.

Finally, one can't talk this rivalry without talking the comeback of the decade at the 2012 Final Five. the first 30 minutes of their semi-final match-up was all Minnesota. Late in the second down 3-0, Sioux head coach Dave Hakstol calls the infamous timeout, and the floodgates opened. It would start with a quick goal off of a face-off from Derek Forbort and UND would go into the locker room down 3-1 with one period left. UND would strike quick when Michael Parks would find the twine to pull the Sioux within one goal. While the PA guy was announcing the goal, Brock Nelson would make it a tie game. Minnesota was now playing on their heels and half of the Xcel Energy Center was left stunned. The guy who scored the fourth goal, and game winner couldn't have been more fitting though. The captain, the Grand Forks native, a guy who bleeds green, Mario Lamoureux would make it 4-3 and the comeback would be officially complete. UND would score two more, including one more from Lamoureux to send UND to their third straight WCHA championship.

I will be sharing more of my favorite memories from this historic rivalry as we get closer to the game on April 10th. Feel free to share your favorite memories with me via Twitter @siouxhockey33.

Former Sioux Oshie and Stafford make the Top-40 Fantasy Hockey Right Wing Rankings

First off, that is a pretty good selection of WCHA talent – in Top-40 Fantasy Hockey Right Wing Rankings – there are two Badgers, two Sioux and two Gophers – it’s a shame that the old WCHA is breaking up after this season and becoming the nWCHA.

That being said, I am not sure how anyone can rank Winnipeg Jets sand former Minnesota Gopher Blake Wheeler as the 15th best Right Wing in the NHL – even if it is just for fantasy hockey. Seriously and no really?

I would also question whether Wheeler is a better fantasy player than Dany Heatly, Drew Stafford or even T.J. Oshie for that matter. The reason I say this is that I watched him play for two and three quarter season with the Boston Bruins and a team just doesn’t trade away a first round draft choice unless his game is flawed.

I am speaking big picture here – like I mentioned in another blog post, I have watched a lot of hockey over the last 10-15 years and I have never seen a bigger bodied player in the NHL that was as soft as Blake Wheeler is. The Bruins wanted him to work on that aspect of his game as well. I would take Oshie just for the physical aspect that he brings to the game. In the fantasy hockey groups that I am in penalty minutes and hits have counted.

This isn’t a concept that also disappeared when he left the Boston Bruins either. This is what the a blogger from the Artic Ice Hockey Bettman's Nightmare, had to say about Wheeler.

Though not the kind of big-body player that plays the physical game, nor parks in front of the net, I think the pros far outweigh the cons with Wheeler's game. Did I mention he's not afraid to block some shots?

That begs the question, since we’re talking about right wings. I you had to pick a right wing as your first over-all pick for your fantasy hockey team, who would be your first pick? Why? My first pick would be Tyler Seguin because I think that he has an amazing upside.

1. COREY PERRY
2. TYLER SEGUIN
3. Marian Hossa (inj.)
4. JOE PAVELSKI - Wisconsin
5. PHIL KESSEL - Minnesota
6. Marian Gaborik (inj.)
7. PATRICK KANE
8. JORDAN EBERLE
9. ERIK COLE - Clarkson
10. DUSTIN BROWN
11. MARTIN ST. LOUIS - Vermont
15. BLAKE WHEELER - Minnesota
19. DANY HEATLEY - Wisconsin
22. T.J. OSHIE - North Dakota
25. NATHAN HORTON
34. DREW STAFFORD - North Dakota

Where is Justin Schultz going?

The million dollar question or should I say the $925,000.00 question - where is former Wisconsin Badger Justin Schultz going on or after July first during free agency signing period.

Schultz it going to be one of the more sought after free agents after July first - he will be able to take advantage of the same loop hole that Blake Wheeler did to sign with what ever team that he wants to. It will also be interesting to see if that loop hole is in the next CBA. Teams that lose their draft choices to other teams will get nothing in return.

Apparently, the Anaheim Ducks aren't all that pleased with Schultz's decision to shop his services to the best fit. I can't say that I blame them because Schultz has an awesome upside.

Stu Hackel, SI.COM --- That might be a new name for you, but he’s a University of Wisconsin star defenseman who was drafted by the Ducks in 2008 before he started his college career. He broke in as a freshman on a Badgers team that already boasted Ryan McDonagh, Jake Gardiner and Brendan Smith. (“I don’t know how anybody scored on them,” Ferraro remarked, adding that Schultz is thought to be better than Gardiner, but not as good as McDonagh.) But Schultz has never signed with Anaheim and if he doesn’t by July 1 – it’s been clear for a while that he won’t — he, too, becomes a UFA. Projected as a top-two defenseman and an excellent puck mover, he’s coming off a great junior year and he found the hole in the CBA that allows him to choose the team that best fits him the way Blake Wheeler did when he signed with the Bruins a few years ago. Whoever gets Schultz will be getting a very good prospect and won’t be trading anyone or using a draft pick to secure him.

Is Justin Schultz coming back to Wisconsin for a fourth season?

Badgers Herald.com

Here is some interesting speculation by the New York Post's Larry Brooks. As a hockey fan, I would actually love the opportunity to watch another season of Justin Schultz who was hands down the best defenseman in the WCHA, if not the country last season and in my opinion, should have been in the Hobey Hat Trick. For some reason the voters left him out of the mix.

Larry Brooks, New York Post --- Ryan McDonagh told Slap Shots he spoke a couple of weeks ago to one-time Wisconsin teammate Justin Schultz, the junior defenseman selected 43rd overall by the Ducks in 2008 who can become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he so chooses.

“But he was smart enough not to tip his hand to me,” said McDonagh, who raved about the 21-year-old’s skating ability and skill, likening Schultz to Toronto’s Jake Gardiner.

Schultz cannot be signed until July 1, but he can become a free agent and start the negotiating process by mid-June — it’s the Blake Wheeler model — after giving notice to Anaheim.

There has been some speculation the defenseman might opt to return to the Badgers for his senior season because of the possibility of a lockout that would necessarily mean a start to his pro career in the AHL, but it’s expected he will indeed hit the open market after deciding not to sign with the Ducks last month, when doing so would have burned the first year of his Entry Level Contract.

Edit: I guess we can always dream right, Badgers guru Chuck Schwartz assures me that Schultz is not coming back and that he will might pursue the Blake Wheeler option.  

Related articles

• Ben Blood on playing for the Sioux (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• You: Rangers' Ryan McDonagh Injured in Brutal Hit: What Does This Mean for the Team? (bleacherreport.com)

Worst fight of the year... Subban vs. Wheeler

Far be it from me, to stick up for Blake Wheeler because I think he is a big bodied player that plays like he is 5'9" but P.K. Subban was trying to elbow Wheeler in the head. I am surprised that the Canadian's fraud Subban didn't turtle from this fight as well. I guess he saw Wheeler as not being much of a threat.

Now compare and contrast, former Gopher and current New York Rangers defenseman Stu Bickel is making quite a name for himself with the Rangers.

Apparently, the other night the former Gopher defenseman got in two fights in a game against Philadelphia Flyers. One of his fellow combatants Flyers cement head Tom Sestito got into three fights. I got to give Bickel credit, and he is a much better fighter than former fellow Gopher team Blake Wheeler. Unlike some of the fighters around the league and Bickel respects the hockey code and doesn't hit an opponent once he hits the ice. I have to respect that.


 Here is the other fight. -  Bickel vs. Wayne Simmonds

Related articles

• Spotlight: Wolski and Woywitka (howlings.net)
• PK Subban slewfoots Chris Kunitz (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Rangers win sixth straight over Flyers (sports.espn.go.com)
• Flyers Remain Winless Against Rangers After 5-2 Loss (philadelphia.cbslocal.com)

A trip down memory lane, 2007 West Regional... Sioux beat Gophers 3-2...

I was been reading the various message boards and I get a chuckle out of how Gopher fans love to bring up the Blake Wheeler goal against the Sioux in the Final Five, I have to give credit where credit is due, that was a great highlight goal, in fact it was one for the ages, that euphoria was short lived as a week later the Fighting Sioux got the last laugh with a great overtime winner in Denver.

Blake Wheeler re-signs with the Jets...

Image via Wikipedia The Winnipeg Jets have re-signed former Boston Bruins and Minnesota Golden Gopher Blake Wheeler to a two year deal . In my opinion; I believe the Jets have overpaid Blake Wheeler who is set to be paid 2.5+ million a year. Wheeler has never scored more than 45 points in a season (21g-24a-45pts) and the knock on Blake Wheeler is he is a 6'5" player that plays like he is 5'8".

TSN.COM ---- The Winnipeg Jets were busy on Monday signing seven players including right-winger Blake Wheeler to new contract. Wheeler signed a two-year deal worth $5.1 million total.

Wheeler scored seven goals and 17 points in 23 games with the Thrashers last season after being acquired in a trade with the Boston Bruins. He scored 18 goals and 44 points in 81 games overall last year.

The Thrashers acquired the 24-year-old from the Bruins on Feb. 28, 2011, along with defenceman Mark Stuart in exchange for centre Rich Peverley and defenceman Boris Valabik.

Related articles

• Wheeler among seven Jets signings Monday (tsn.ca)
• Wheeler, Jets agree on two-year deal (canada.com)
• Blake Wheeler Signs Two-Year Contract With Winnipeg Jets (sbnation.com)
• Winnipeg Jets re-sign right winger Blake Wheeler to two-year contract (thehockeynews.com)

Is Tomas Kaberle coming to Boston?

According to the Darren Dreger of the Dreger report , he's reporting that the Boston Bruins are very close to trading for Toronto Maple Leafs offensive defenseman Tomas Kaberle. The Boston Bruins are also close to getting rid of former Golden Gopher Blake Wheeler as well. According to CSNNE's Joe Haggerty the possible deal with Toronto Maples Leafs is likely to include Blake Wheeler and a draft pick for Tomas Kaberle.

Dreger Report TSN --- Failing a complete meltdown - which has scuttled at least one previous trade involving the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tomas Kaberle, and the Boston Bruins - there's strong belief that Kaberle will be traded to Boston.

It's unlikely the deal gets done today, but sources say it's close and say the deal doesn't hinge on Kaberle signing an extension with the Bruins.

The dynamics of the trade haven't been entirely worked out and sources indicate the Leafs are waiting for Boston to put the final pieces of the puzzle in place - a process which may take another day or two to finalize.

Cap space is somewhat of an issue for the Bruins - who are believed to be working on a secondary trade (not involving Toronto) to create some cap flexibility.

With the addition of Chris Kelly, Blake Wheeler has become a likely target - primarily because of his $2.2 million salary.

Wheeler is a versatile forward who's comfortable playing both the wing and at centre and is believed to be drawing interest from other teams.

Stay tuned.

Also, it looks like former C.C. Tiger Mark Stuart might be headed to the defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks. Stuart was a healthy scratch in eight straight games before playing in the last two games for the Boston Bruins.

The B's are discussing sending rugged defenseman Mark Stuart to the Chicago Blackhawks, who are looking for a little more toughness around their net.

The Stuart deal would net the Bruins a draft pick, and would be strictly for salary cap relief rather than instant roster improvement.

Center duties await Wheeler

Oh goody, the ever soft Blake Wheeler at center for the Boston Bruins, that is almost as silly as putting Blake Wheeler on the top line like they did during the playoffs against the Flyers. Yeah, that didn't work so well either.

MONTREAL -- Blake Wheeler has spent most of his first two NHL seasons on the left wing. Tonight, Wheeler will get some shifts at center, a position he played in college at the University of Minnesota.

"He's a guy who's played center his whole career until he came to us, and we put him on the wing," coach Claude Julien said. "Right now, with [Marc Savard] not with us right away, I wouldn't mind seeing the different options. We want Tyler [Seguin] to have that opportunity. But here's another guy in Wheels who's played center before. We're going to look at different options. Joe Colborne is another guy who's having a good camp. So we're going to really look at those options. Hopefully they'll help us make some decisions."

Julien noted Wheeler's size and hands as two characteristics in his favor as a center.

Ryan Lambert on Wheeler's deal.

I thought this perspective by Ryan Lambert was worth taking a look at. I agree with Lambert that the arbitrators are out of their mind awarding mediocre to good player’s multi million dollar deals. You’re also pretty much stuck with them once they sign their deal, see the Peter Schaffer mistake deal that the Bruins are still paying for. What ever happen to incentive laden deals that award players for meeting performance based numbers like scoring goals?

I think Wheeler is a perfectly good hockey player, not great or even that much above average, but good. And the fact that he's getting $2.2 million from an arbitrator rather than his team or another that slid him an offer sheet tells you that's roughly market value for comparable players. The Bruins will take that number for sure.

But think about that. He's getting $2.2 million. A raise of about 150 percent over the base salary of the two-year deal he signed when he came into the league. And for what? He was sensational his rookie year, don't get me wrong. But he declined in goals (by 14 percent) and assists (by 17 percent) last season, with no change in power-play goals despite an extra minute on the man advantage per game, and two extra minutes of ice time. And he's a ghost in the playoffs to the tune of 1-5-6, minus-6 in 21 career games. [Puck Daddy]

Again; I want to preface this that I am not a Wheeler hater by any stretch of the imagination. I am sure Blake Wheeler is a great guy and an awesome human being off of the ice but as a hockey player he is a _______ (rhymes with wussy). The man is 6’5’ 205 pounds and is so easily knocked off the puck by the opposition. At Wheeler’s size he should be laying people out and playing a more physical brand of hockey, Blake should also be getting to the dirty areas on the ice and scoring gritty goals.

Wheeler signs one-year, $2.2 million contract

Former Golden Gopher Blake Wheeler has been resigned by the Boston Bruins for 2.2 million dollars. Holy Cow! That is a lot of money for a player that is 6'5" 205 that plays timid and as if he was 5'7" 175. Pardon my French the man is a wussy. Yawn! I think the Bruins are over paying him and I would have passed on him.

Boston - Blake Wheeler has signed his one-year, $2.2 million contract, officially putting him in the fold for 2010-11.

"Before the hearing, I was anxious, obviously," Wheeler said during a conference call. "You hear all the horror stories of different things that go on in those rooms. But once you're in there hearing both sides being argued, it was handled extremely professionally. Nothing was said in the room that I didn't already know myself. There were no low blows or anything like that taken by either side. It was handled extremely well. When the hearing was over, I felt great about it. I was really happy to be through that process."

Wheeler earned his $2.2 million arbitration award last night following his hearing on Tuesday.

"It is never a pleasant experience for either side to go to arbitration," GM Peter Chiarelli said in a statement. "However, as a manager, you know that the player will be under contract for the following year either way. We talked to Blake before and after the hearing and we are satisfied to have a good, young player under contract for another year."

Wheeler's arbitration case concludes

Hum, interesting comment(s) by Wheeler's agent.

"I think it was handled very professionally by both sides," said Matt Keator, Wheeler's agent. "Our interpretation of the marketplace is different from theirs, hence the disagreement. I think both sides handled it well, keeping it professionally. They pointed out Blake's shortcomings. We pointed out Blake's strengths. But Blake already knew his shortcomings. He knows what he needs to work on. There were no hurt feelings in what was said. It was not contentious at all."

Keator did not disclose any comparables that were discussed during the hearing. However, it's a good bet that Mason Raymond ( 25g-28a-53pts) ($2.55 million annual cap hit), Nikolai Kulemin (16g-20a-36pts)($2.35 million)and David Perron (20g-27a-47pts) ($2.15 million) were comparables brought up by both parties.

Because of his statistics over the last two seasons (83 points, 163 of a possible 164 games played, ample ice time in all situations), Wheeler's award could be in the $2.5 million range. Even if Wheeler's one-year award is costlier than the Bruins expected, they are highly unlikely to walk away from the 23-year-old left wing.[Boston Bruins Blog]

Again, I am not a Wheeler hater, however, I am also not a big fan of his game for a guy his size at 6'5" 205 pounds, Wheeler is a very soft player which was evident with his purse fight last season against Ryan O'Byrne. Not everyone has to be a bruzier I get that, he isn't a big time player either as he disappeared during the Stanley Cup playoffs especially during the series against the Flyers scoring (1g-1a-2pts) in 7 games.

Wheeler goes to arbitration

Former Gopher Blake Wheeler went to his arbitration hearing today. I hope the Bruins don't end up over paying this guy.

With the two sides failing to come to a last-minute agreement, Blake Wheeler and the Bruins have proceeded to arbitration. The hearing started at 9 a.m. in Toronto this morning.

Matt Keator, Wheeler's agent, will start the hearing with an affirmative case for Wheeler. The Bruins will then present a similar affirmative case for the club. Wheeler's camp will then have a chance to present a rebuttal case and closing argument. The Bruins will also issue a rebuttal case and closing argument. Both parties have a maximum of 90 minutes to present their cases. [Boston Globe]

According to Joe Haggerty's twitter post Wheeler's hearing went well.

Arbitration looms for Wheeler, Bruins

s/t puck Daddy for the Wheeler picture. Here is the latest news on the Blake Wheeler arbitration saga, the former Golden Gopher and Bruins forward is headed off to arbitration. Personally, I like the option where the Boston Bruins trade Blake Wheeler to another team because after watching Wheeler last season in the Stanley Cup Playoffs it was very evident the kid has little if any ability to score goals at crucial times in games.

Just a week before Bruins forward Blake Wheeler's July 27 arbitration hearing, there was no progress to report on contract talks between the restricted free agent and the club.

Late Tuesday afternoon, Wheeler's agent Matt Keator said the two sides would talk again this weekend but gave no indication that those talks would settle the matter.

"We'll talk to them again this weekend and see how that goes," Keator said. "But there's nothing new to report right now and if we can't reach an agreement this weekend, then we go to arbitration. That's fine and that's why they have the arbitration process."

Wheeler, who has 39 goals and 83 points in 163 games with the Bruins, made $2.8 million last season and almost certainly would get a raise through arbitration.

But even Wheeler's cap hit from 2009-10, combined with the signing of top pick Tyler Seguin to his entry-level deal, would put the Bruins over the $59.4 million salary cap. That is why there has been plenty of speculation that the Bruins may deal the winger who was drafted fifth overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in 2004. But Keator didn't seem to believe that would happen.

"I don't really know because that's a question for the Bruins, but I wouldn't think so," Keator said. "He's only 23 years old and has a bright future ahead of him. We're not concerned about that. We know the cap situation and we know Peter [Chiarelli, the Bruins' GM] is working hard to deal with it. But we can't worry about it because it's out of our control." [ESPN]

I honestly don't know how the Boston Bruins ended up signing Wheeler for 2.8 million either? That is a lot of money to give a player who has score in (39g-44a-83pts) in 163 NHL games.

While I am not a Blake Wheeler fan by any stretch, I am not a hater either. One could make the argument that the Boston Bruins already have a player like Blake Wheeler signed and on board in Joel Colborne (big not so physical player at a cheaper rate than 2.8+) who has a good to decent chance to make the Bruins this season.

Where does Wheeler compare?

The Bruins blog asks the question, 'how does former Minnesota Gopher and Boston Bruins RFA Blake Wheeler compare to other players taken in the 2004 draft.' First comparison is former Fighting Sioux hockey player Travis Zajac. I actually didn't know that Blake Wheeler had six more points in his first two season in the NHL. Wheeler's total (45-38=83 points) compared to Travis Zajac who went (42-34=77). However, I don't see Wheeler getting 62 points playing in the Boston Bruins line up next season, just a hunch.

First you rule out the extreme cases of guys who really cashed in on their second contract. Travis Zajac spent two years playing NCAA hockey, and after entering the NHL at 21 saw his point totals go from 42 to 34 to 62. That earned him a four-year extension worth an average of a little more than $3.887 million per season. As a centerman, his contributions are automatically more valued, and then he sky-rocketed from supporting player to leading man just in time for his entry-level contract to expire.

The Bruins blog also looked at former Fighting Sioux and current Buffalo Sabres forward Drew Stafford and Wheeler and Stafford had the same exact amount of points their first two season in the NHL.

That brings us to two players whose production and compensation are more in line with Wheeler should receive. Buffalo’s Drew Stafford played three years of college like Wheeler, and in his first three full NHL seasons produced 38, 45 and 34 points. After that second full season, he worked out a two-year deal worth $1.9 million per season.

Bruins look to resign Stuart and Wheeler

I hope the Boston Bruins resign the former C.C. Tigers star Mark Stuart because he is a decent defenseman that plays a gritty game and will stick up for teammates and drop the gloves “if” he has to. As far as Blake Wheeler goes, I hope the Boston Bruins trade Wheeler to another team.

I was unimpressed with the former Minnesota Gopher Blake Wheelers play at the end of last season and during the Stanley Cup playoffs, the guy is your prototypical former Gopher, a soft player that doesn’t like to hit and plays a finesse game (albeit, not well either). Sure, Blake Wheeler is a big body but he lacks grit or much in the way of offensive talent. Like I said in a tweet last spring, "Wheeler couldn’t score in a brothel" and he lacks the ability to finish in the offensive zone, that makes him an offensive liability. Wheeler's strong point is he can play on the penalty kill and he is strong defensively.

[The Bruins Blog] The agent for restricted free agent Bruins winger Blake Wheeler and defenseman Mark Stuart, Matt Keator, said he plans to speak with Boston general manager Peter Chiarelli this weekend about both his clients, as the deadline to file for arbitration approaches 5 p.m. Monday.

Both players are eligible for arbitration.

“We’ll talk over the weekend and Monday and see where things go,” Keator told TheBruinsBlog.net.

Chiarelli said on Thursday he was confident he could re-sign Wheeler, Stuart and fellow restricted free agent Gregory Campbell and stay under the salary cap, even if it would be a “little tight.”

Bruins looking to trade Wheeler and Savard?

This is a rumor that was floated out there on Pro Hockey Talk. As a Bruins fan and a Gopher hater I would love to see Blake Wheeler sent packing but I don't see Marc Savard being trade especially when he has a no trade clause.

Pro Hockey Talk has learned of a possible trade in the works, with the Boston Bruins dealing Blake Wheeler and Marc Savard to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for the fourth overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. It's likely that the Bruins would also include their 15th overall pick in the deal as well, leaving Boston with both the second and fourth pick in the first round.

Talking to another source, PHT was told that the Blue Jackets are interested in trading away their pick, although as of now there is nothing concrete in the works as far as a trade goes. Considering how reliable our source is for the information regarding this trade proposal, it seems as though there is certainly something substantial in the works although there is no guarantee this is going down. It's also important to note that Boston including that 15th pick isn't certain, although you wonder if Wheeler and Savard alone are worth the 4th. So you'd think something else would have to come back Boston's way, although I doubt they're looking to take on much salary in this trade. [Read the rest of the article]

Apparently there is some merit to this rumor, you have to wonder if Columbus approached the Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli and asked him if he would be willing to trade Wheeler and Savard for the fourth over all pick. Chiarelli probably said go pound sand up your ass. I don't think it makes any sense what so ever. Savard is one of the faces of the Bruins organization and one of their top forwards.

Our story yesterday on the rumored trade proposal between Columbus and Boston caused a bit of stir and if nothing else left people scratching their heads a bit. Before writing up the story, I double checked with my source on the information he was giving me and then posted the proposed trade that would leave Boston with the 2nd and 4th pick in next week's draft. This morning I followed up, and was assured that this was a proposal that "has been discussed" by Boston and Columbus.[Pro Hockey Talk]

Honestly this sounds like something Eklund from hockey buzz would dream up e1, e2, e3, e4 something like, sounds good but not going to happen.