Blake Wheeler Returns to MSG: From Quality NHL Player to Front Office Guru

Just when you thought he was out, they pull him back in. Blake Wheeler, after a single, eventful season with the New York Rangers that felt more like a rollercoaster than a victory lap, is back on Broadway. But hold your horses, don’t start lining up for jerseys just yet. The veteran forward isn’t lacing up the skates this time. Instead, he’s trading his stick for a suit and a swanky new title: hockey ops advisory role.

Yes, you read that right. After 16 grueling seasons in the NHL, culminating in a year that saw him battle back from a leg injury that looked career-ending, Wheeler is diving headfirst into the front office. It’s a move that’s both surprising and, when you really think about it, makes a ton of sense.

Wheeler’s Unexpected Journey to the Front Office

Let’s be honest, Wheeler’s 2023-24 season with the Rangers was a mixed bag as he was clearly ring chasing. He put up a respectable 21 points in 54 games before a gruesome lower-body injury sidelined him in February. We all thought that was it. A tough way for a 1,172-game veteran to go out. But then, in a moment straight out of a sports movie, he willed himself back onto the ice for one last playoff game. Talk about grit.

Even when he wasn’t playing, Wheeler was a constant, vocal presence. Who can forget him pounding on the glass like a crazed fan after Artemi Panarin’s overtime winner against the Hurricanes? That’s the kind of passion you can’t fake. He was more than just a player; he was a leader, a mentor, and the team’s biggest cheerleader. Now, he gets to channel that energy into helping build the team from the inside.

Why This Move is a Stroke of Genius for the Rangers

So, what exactly does a “hockey ops advisor” do? It’s a bit vague, sure, but the potential upside for the Rangers is huge. Think about it. Chris Drury now has a guy in his ear who just spent a year in the locker room. Wheeler knows the players, he understands the dynamics, and he has a fresh perspective on what went right and what went wrong last season.

This isn’t just some token job for a popular ex-player. Wheeler has been quietly preparing for a role like this. He was one of the first players to complete the NHLPA’s “First Line” mental health training program. His goal? To be a bridge for players who are struggling but are too afraid to speak up.

As he told the New York Post, “A lot of times these conversations are withheld just because guys are scared… You don’t know where that information is going, how it’s going to be used for you or against you.”

Final Thoughts

Having someone like Wheeler, who has openly discussed his own struggles, in an official capacity is a game-changer. He brings a level of empathy and Hockey Knowledge that will be useful. It’s a new chapter for Blake Wheeler, and a potentially transformative one for the New York Rangers. Welcome back to the show, Mr Wheeler.