Wheeler, Bruins Now Await Arbitrator’s Decision
After making their respective pitches this morning at an arbitration hearing in Toronto, both Blake Wheeler and the Boston Bruins will know within the next 48 hours whether or not the 23-year-old winger will be returning to the Black and Gold in 2010-11 or preparing to shop his services as an unrestricted free agent.
Wheeler and his agent, Matt Keator, got the first crack at highlighting the Minnesota native’s strengths in the hearing. Wheeler has potted 39 goals and registered a total of 83 points throughout his first two campaigns in Boston. The 6-foot-5 forward had a remarkable first half during his rookie season in Boston, displaying great chemistry with linemates David Krejci and Michael Ryder. Since the B’s sensational run leading up to the midway point of the 2008-09 season, however, Wheeler has proven prone to prolonged stretches of inconsistent hockey. The former University of Minnesota standout, after bulking up in preparation for his second NHL season, endured a wildly-frustrating sophomore slump.
The B’s likely relied heavily on that fact in their hopes of minimizing the soon-to-be awarded salary. Wheeler also struggled mightily in each of the past two postseasons, picking up just one goal in a combined 21 playoff tilts. While Keator doesn’t foresee Peter Chiarelli and the Bruins walking away from the promising winger, something Chiarelli did elect to do in the case of defenseman David Tanabe a few years back, he might be in for a surprise if his client winds up being as overvalued as Atlanta’s Clarke MacArthur was last week. MacArthur, a veteran of 208 NHL games who picked up 16 goals in 2009-10 with the Sabres and Thrashers, was set free when Atlanta scoffed at the $2.4 million dollar salary he was awarded.
Wheeler’s fate will likely trigger the first step toward a resolution to the current cap dilemma the Bruins’ brass must solve. With prized draft pick Tyler Seguin still unsigned, it’s no secret that some sort of maneuvering will need to be done prior to opening night. Whether Wheeler remains in town or gets the cold shoulder, Chiarelli and company will have a far better idea of just how much salary must be shed by October.
July 27th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
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I’d say Wheeler is worth a bag of pucks and MAYBE a wooden Sherwood, Coffey pattern of course. . . .