Blake Wheeler is now a UFA..

[MalkinsJock 0]

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that Blake Wheeler, selected by the Coyotes in the 2004 Entry Draft, has rejected the Coyotes contract offer and will become an unrestricted free agent.

“We offered Blake a contract which was both commensurate with his draft position and far exceeded any guaranteed contract he can receive, under the current CBA, with any other team,” said Maloney. “He has decided, however, that becoming a free agent is in his best interest.

Wheeler

He's 6'5, 220lbs and a former top five pick. Hes also fast for a guy his size..

Im sure the Wings will give him an offer.

[Turkey 0]

Why would he do a thing like this? I think he automatically qualifies as a "possibly risky primadonna" after this move if it's true.

[MalkinsJock 0]

Actually he turned down the most money he could possibly get, from Phoenix to play for a team of his choosing. Im pretty sure, he still has to sign a rookie deal with the team that signs him. Maybe the team he plays for is more important then the money?

Of course, he could sign with the Wild, wouldn't suprise me.

[Wings_Fan_In_Exile 3]

Damn. It has not been easy being a Coyotes fan. Good thing I also have deep roots in Michigan and have the Wings

[MalkinsJock 0]

[VM1138 1,921]

I wouldn't say this a primadonna move. Teams have been in the league long enough, and I don't see a reason for a new player to want to get stuck playing for an eternally suffering franchise if he has an opportunity to play with a winning team.

[Turkey 0]

It definitely seems like a prima donna move to me. Pay your dues like everyone else. Also, Phoenix has been a long suffering team for sure but they showed this season that they are making big strides. They'll be very competitive soon enough, I think. I don't like the move.

[MalkinsJock 0]

Apparently he turned down a 3 year deal worth $1.7 mill a season along with the standard bonuses for the calder, art ross, playoffs. He also lost a $600,000 signing bonus.

Since Wheeler wouldn't sign, the Coyotes get the 35th pick in this years draft as compensation.

[katiephd 0]

My 8-year-old cousin, who is a huge Wheeler fan, is like, super super super bummed about this. As are his parents who have spent a fortune on Coyotes memorabilia. Whoops.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

No.

[MalkinsJock 0]

No.

No what? Hes bigger then every other player on this team and could quite possibly be the "Power forward' everybody has been wanting since Shanahan left.

Hes obviously motivated to play for a successful team and took a massive pay cut to do so. We don't have a prospect in our entire system that even comes close to Wheeler for his size.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

No what? Hes bigger then every other player on this team and could quite possibly be the "Power forward' everybody has been wanting since Shanahan left.

Hes obviously motivated to play for a successful team and took a massive pay cut to do so. We don't have a prospect in our entire system that even comes close to Wheeler for his size.

You dont say no to your first real NHL contract, Phoenix Coyotes or not. I didnt want Grigerenko or Bruunstrom, no need from primadonnas who think they deserve minutes/a roster spot, or playing for a good team.

[Datsyerberger 279]

You dont say no to your first real NHL contract, Phoenix Coyotes or not. I didnt want Grigerenko or Bruunstrom, no need from primadonnas who think they deserve minutes/a roster spot, or playing for a good team.

Au contraire, the guy is showing that he's willing to make a sacrifice (the guarantee of minutes and max contract he had at Phoenix) to find a winning team he can fit in with. Sacrifices and pay cuts for success.. that sounds like the Wings to me.

[MalkinsJock 0]

I HIGHLY doubt he wants to play in the AHL. He'll probably sign with the Wild, hes never left home really.

[Packer487 3]

He's an absolute monster. Maybe underachieved somewhat this year, but I think the Goofers had him playing center for a lot of the season and he's probably better off as a wing. I came to start this thread earlier today and couldn't get to the site. I'd love to see him in a Wings jersey, even though I typically hate everyone and everything having to do with the University of Minnesota.

It's not every day that you can pick up a kid with his talent for no picks and no players.

[Datsyerberger 279]

I HIGHLY doubt he wants to play in the AHL. He'll probably sign with the Wild, hes never left home really.

Whether he is willing to accept that or not to get on a good team will show just how competitive he's willing to be. If he IS willing to do that, then by all means, sign his ass!

And yea, it'd be nice to have some winger talent.. we have center talent gushing out of our ears. Particularly a large power forward.. that's one position we really haven't been able to nail down since Shanny was in his prime.

[Hank 0]

Wheeler

He's 6'5, 220lbs and a former top five pick. Hes also fast for a guy his size..

Im sure the Wings will give him an offer.

I'd like to see if the Wings could give him an offer. Very big, speed to burn and is a winger.

Edited May 30, 2008 by Hank

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I HIGHLY doubt he wants to play in the AHL. He'll probably sign with the Wild, hes never left home really.

Which is exactly what he'll do if he were to sign with the Wings.

[MalkinsJock 0]

Which is exactly what he'll do if he were to sign with the Wings.

I wouldn't be so sure. Who is his competition? Abdelkader? Kopecky? Helm? Non of them bring the size/speed combination of Wheeler.

[Opie 308]

I wouldn't be so sure. Who is his competition? Abdelkader? Kopecky? Helm? Non of them bring the size/speed combination of Wheeler.

I think his point was more to the fact that very very few players in the wings org don't go to GR first.

Next year the wings will be looking at Leino, Abdelkader, Helm, Kopecky, Hartigan, as youngsters and also I think Downey has earned a 2-3 year deal, he may not be a difference make in terms of goals and assists, but he did his job great this past season and deserves a shot here again, and this is the perfect situation for him, he can play 50-60 games and step up when someone tries to run a guy.

So it is not guarenteed that this kid would crack the line up and if he is looking to get ice time with the big club right away Det may not be the place for him.

Now as you alluded to he may come in and be legit real deal Holyfield type forward, however there have been a lot of guys that have come through the NHL that were sure fire can't miss, and many of them are not playing hockey anymore.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I wouldn't be so sure. Who is his competition? Abdelkader? Kopecky? Helm? Non of them bring the size/speed combination of Wheeler.

Kopecky would absolute play for Babcock before an unproven Wheeler got the nod, and the way Helm has played this playoff year I wouldn't be shocked to see Babs give him a look. Not to mention your not even taking into account other *proven* FA's.

This Red Wings organization doesn't give players roster spots, they have to be earned. Ask Hudler.

[Hank 0]

Kopecky would absolute play for Babcock before an unproven Wheeler got the nod, and the way Helm has played this playoff year I wouldn't be shocked to see Babs give him a look. Not to mention your not even taking into account other *proven* FA's.

This Red Wings organization doesn't give players roster spots, they have to be earned. Ask Hudler.

More to the point, Wings management doesn't like to gamble. They'll only make a move or deal if they're nearly 100% certain it's a good one.

If Wheeler is turning down an entry-level contract that surpasses most 5th overall kids get, then I'm sure he'll be looking for a deal around the $2-3M range - which is ridiculous.

And I don't see the Wings taking a chance on a kid who couldn't even dominate college hockey.

I do like his size and speed though and I think he could develop into a Franzen type winger with better wheels.

But I see a team like the Leafs or Rangers going after this kid - who could very well turn into the next Jason Bonsignore or Hugh Jessiman.

[Nev 1,085]

If Wheeler is turning down an entry-level contract that surpasses most 5th overall kids get, then I'm sure he'll be looking for a deal around the $2-3M range - which is ridiculous

I'm pretty sure he can't do that since there is a cap on entry level contracts. Didn't the article say he was offered the max?

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I'm pretty sure he can't do that since there is a cap on entry level contracts. Didn't the article say he was offered the max?

QFT....and to add on to that I think the max a rookie can make including all potential bonuses being offered and met is $1.7 mil.

[Hank 0]

QFT....and to add on to that I think the max a rookie can make including all potential bonuses being offered and met is $1.7 mil.

I'm not positive on this, but since Wheeler was drafted in 2004, he's not subjected to the 2005 CBA and it's rookie cap rules.

Jeff Carter signed a deal in 2005 where the Flyers didn't have to abide by the new rules since he was drafted in 2003.