Fansided

Blake Wheeler’s 5-year extension great for all involved

By Bruin Belisle

WINNIPEG, MB - JANUARY 30: Blake Wheeler #26 of the Winnipeg Jets high fives mascot Mick E. Moose after receiving first star honours following a 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Bell MTS Place on January 30, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - JANUARY 30: Blake Wheeler #26 of the Winnipeg Jets high fives mascot Mick E. Moose after receiving first star honours following a 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Bell MTS Place on January 30, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Winnipeg Jets have signed captain Blake Wheeler to a five-year, $41.25 million contract extension, a win for both the player and the organization.

Blake Wheeler is coming off of his best NHL season. The Winnipeg Jets veteran scored 23 goals and added 68 assists for a career high 91 points in 2017-18. Now, he’s going to be paid accordingly.

The Jets winger signed a five-year $41.25 million contract on Tuesday, with an average annual value of $8.25 million, avoiding becoming an unrestricted free agent next season. He is set to be the Jets’ highest paid player in 2019-20, at least until Patrik Laine is resigned.

https://twitter.com/NHLJets/status/1036972239856562176

Wheeler is one of three key pieces the Jets needed to address in this offseason. The others are Connor Hellebuyck (signed) and defenseman Josh Morrisey (TBD). With their captain signed through 2023-24, general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff can now focus on Morrisey, then Patrik Laine’s contract extension next year.

Wheeler’s 91 points last season is a whopping 13 points higher than his second highest total of 78 (2015-16) and it likely has to do with playing alongside budding superstar Mark Scheifele, one of many great young talents on this team.

Wheeler himself has shown no sign of slowing down. At 32 years old, Wheeler is still in his NHL prime. Continued success from players in this age range such as Patrice Bergeron (33), Alex Ovechkin (32) and Sidney Crosby (31) bode well for the Jets captain.

Blake Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien provide a leadership presence for the young Jets players. These hard-working vets set the tone on and off the ice and are likely one of the many reasons the Jets will continue to be successful. Make no mistake, the Winnipeg Jets are only going to get better.

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With the Jets’ all time assists leader (Blake Wheeler – 323) now locked in for the next six seasons, GM Kevin Cheveldayoff can shift his focus to working a deal with a player who might well become their all time goal scoring leader by the time he’s done.

Look for the Jets to contend for the Stanley Cup once again this upcoming season, as they will be one of four or five teams favored to make it to the final. The continued success of Blake Wheeler will be crucial to that happening.

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