If the New York Rangers feel as if they require any reinforcements going into their Eastern Conference matchup with the Florida Panthers, their prayers may have been answered as the 37-year-old right winger has announced that he's ready to return in whatever capacity the Rangers require of him ahead of game one Wednesday night.
Wheeler, who has been out of the lineup since February 15th, only skated in fifty-four regular season games this past season before getting bit by the injury bug, but during that time he registered nine goals along with twelve assists, twenty-three penalty minutes, and a +2.
Wheeler, a veteran of over 1100 National Hockey League games, signed a one-year deal last summer with the Rangers after playing the previous twelve seasons with the Winnipeg Jets. While he is nearing the end of his career, this run with the Rangers may be his last opportunity to win a Stanley Cup before calling it quits.
While Wheeler has had a rather consistent and illustrious career with the Boston Bruins, Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets, and now the Rangers, many fans may only remember him for having his captaincy taken from him before the 2022–2023 season, which played a large part in his departure from the Jets.
