BLAKE WHEELER LEAVES THE GOPHERS

wbmd · Post by **wbmd** » Fri May 09, 2008 10:03 pm

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/18807859.html

boblee · Post by **boblee** » Fri May 09, 2008 10:09 pm

That's too bad for the Gophers. I bet he would have had a great senior year. Hopefully Nicco can pick up some freshman slack along with guys like White and Hoeffel having big sophomore years.

Love4Hockey · Post by **Love4Hockey** » Fri May 09, 2008 11:15 pm

yesssssssssssssssssssssssssss.......finally

DmanDad1980 · Post by **DmanDad1980** » Sun May 11, 2008 10:03 am

It was time for Blake and the Gophers both...

I hope that he finds success in Phoenix under Gretsky and along side of Mr. Ballard and Mr. Mueller...

wbmd · Post by **wbmd** » Sun May 11, 2008 11:25 am

DmanDad1980 wrote:It was time for Blake and the Gophers both...

I hope that he finds success in Phoenix under Gretsky and along side of Mr. Ballard and Mr. Mueller...

That's if Phoenix even attempts to sign him.

GR3343 · Post by **GR3343** » Sun May 11, 2008 11:34 am

wbmd wrote:
That's if Phoenix even attempts to sign him.

I thought according to that article they had already made a preliminary offer.

warrior2132 · Post by **warrior2132** » Sun May 11, 2008 12:32 pm

the person that will make up for most of his points I believe will be Jordan Schroeder... I expect him to step in and be on one of the top 2 lines and on powerplay

wbmd · Post by **wbmd** » Sun May 11, 2008 1:56 pm

GR3343 wrote:
wbmd wrote:
That's if Phoenix even attempts to sign him.

I thought according to that article they had already made a preliminary offer.

Wheeler, a center who led the Gophers in scoring with 15 goals and 20 assists for 35 points this past season, has hired a Boston agent and hopes to sign an NHL contract.

The Phoenix Coyotes, who selected Wheeler with the fifth overall pick in the 2004 draft, have 30 days to sign him. After that he becomes a free agent.

"I just want the opportunity to play in the NHL," Wheeler said. "It would be great if that was with Phoenix. I've developed a relationship with the organization the last three, four years. But [whether it happens] is out of my hands. It's up to them."

GR3343 · Post by **GR3343** » Sun May 11, 2008 2:25 pm

The Coyotes have made Wheeler a preliminary contract offer, he said.

Direct quote from the story link posted above.

wbmd · Post by **wbmd** » Sun May 11, 2008 2:30 pm

GR3343 wrote:The Coyotes have made Wheeler a preliminary contract offer, he said.

Direct quote from the story link posted above.

Still doesn't mean that he'll accept the offer.

gaborik · Post by **gaborik** » Sun May 11, 2008 2:33 pm

accept*

EREmpireStrikesBack · Post by **EREmpireStrikesBack** » Sun May 11, 2008 9:56 pm

I don't know why he wouldn't. I'd be very surprised if he didn't.

GR3343 · Post by **GR3343** » Mon May 12, 2008 9:37 am

EREmpireStrikesBack wrote:I don't know why he wouldn't. I'd be very surprised if he didn't.

You'd have to ask wbmd. Apparently a preliminary offer isn't as good as hoping to sign.

wbmd · Post by **wbmd** » Tue May 13, 2008 4:05 pm

GR3343 wrote:
EREmpireStrikesBack wrote:I don't know why he wouldn't. I'd be very surprised if he didn't.

You'd have to ask wbmd. Apparently a preliminary offer isn't as good as hoping to sign.

For one thing, the greediness of todays athletes and what they think they're worth - when in reality, not one of them are worth what they're paid!!

State Champ 97 · Post by **State Champ 97** » Thu May 15, 2008 1:11 pm

DmanDad1980 wrote:It was time for Blake and the Gophers both...

I hope that he finds success in Phoenix under Gretsky and along side of Mr. Ballard and Mr. Mueller...

Gretzky Sorry, it was bugging me.

DmanDad1980 · Post by **DmanDad1980** » Fri May 16, 2008 12:59 pm

State Champ 97 wrote:
DmanDad1980 wrote:It was time for Blake and the Gophers both...

I hope that he finds success in Phoenix under Gretsky and along side of Mr. Ballard and Mr. Mueller...
Gretzky Sorry, it was bugging me.

It worked...

UpNorthStars · Post by **UpNorthStars** » Fri May 30, 2008 11:07 am

So now that he'll be a free agent, anyone know the scoop on this? Did he just not want to play in Pheonix or what? Doesn't seem like he'll be able to get more money anywhere else.

sachishi4 · Post by **sachishi4** » Fri May 30, 2008 11:32 am

Sounds like he wasn't going to be assured of a spot on the NHL roster and he would have most likely ended up in the AHL. He probably didn't want to play for the AHL, so he didn't sign

wbmd · Post by **wbmd** » Fri May 30, 2008 12:13 pm

GR3343 wrote:
EREmpireStrikesBack wrote:I don't know why he wouldn't. I'd be very surprised if he didn't.

You'd have to ask wbmd. Apparently a preliminary offer isn't as good as hoping to sign.

As I said earlier, a preliminary offer didn't necessarily mean he would accept a contract.

Wheeler should have played his senior year at Minnesota - he's not ready for the NHL yet.

GR3343 · Post by **GR3343** » Fri May 30, 2008 1:32 pm

wbmd wrote:
GR3343 wrote:
EREmpireStrikesBack wrote:I don't know why he wouldn't. I'd be very surprised if he didn't.

You'd have to ask wbmd. Apparently a preliminary offer isn't as good as hoping to sign.
As I said earlier, a preliminary offer didn't necessarily mean he would accept a contract.

Wheeler should have played his senior year at Minnesota - he's not ready for the NHL yet.

I think he should have just taken the money that was on the table. Sounds like the offer was fair for a guy of his ability. Not sure any of the teams in the NHL are going to "guarantee" him a roster spot on the big clubs. Big mistake in my opinion. He'll probably end up with less of a deal and still end up in the AHL regardless, which was what he was trying to avoid. He'll end up another low level minor leaguer pretty soon if he doesn't watch out. Where was he picked? 5th overall? What in the world was the Great One thinking?

power92 · Post by **power92** » Fri May 30, 2008 4:42 pm

GR3343 wrote:
wbmd wrote:
GR3343 wrote: You'd have to ask wbmd. Apparently a preliminary offer isn't as good as hoping to sign.
As I said earlier, a preliminary offer didn't necessarily mean he would accept a contract.

Wheeler should have played his senior year at Minnesota - he's not ready for the NHL yet.
I think he should have just taken the money that was on the table. Sounds like the offer was fair for a guy of his ability. Not sure any of the teams in the NHL are going to "guarantee" him a roster spot on the big clubs. Big mistake in my opinion. He'll probably end up with less of a deal and still end up in the AHL regardless, which was what he was trying to avoid. He'll end up another low level minor leaguer pretty soon if he doesn't watch out. Where was he picked? 5th overall? What in the world was the Great One thinking?

Maybe he lost a bet with Tocchet.

Stealth · Post by **Stealth** » Fri May 30, 2008 5:17 pm

Blake was going

to there offer because I'm the fifth pick!

Blake expects the other NHL team to

for him.

He will be remembered for the goal against North Dakota, just like Christian Laettner was for his last second shot against Duke.

Think about it?

2004 NHL Draft;
Number ONE: - Alexander Ovechkin 65 Goal/47 assits Plus 28 in NHL! Just finished last year of entry $1MM, now big bucks.

TWO :- Evgeni Malkin 47 Goals / 59 Assits Plus 16 in NHL! One more year of $1MM, then big bucks.

Three :– Cameron Barker 6 Goals / 12 Asitts Minus -3 in 45 Game as Defence in NHL! One more year of $800,000.00.

Four: – Andrew Ladd 14 Goal / 16 Assits Plus 13 in NHL! ! Just finished last year of entry $1MM, now big bucks.

Five: Blake Wheeler looking up at those $$$$$$$$ on the top four, how does he fit in?

DmanDad1980 · Post by **DmanDad1980** » Sat May 31, 2008 9:03 pm

wbmd wrote:
GR3343 wrote:
EREmpireStrikesBack wrote:I don't know why he wouldn't. I'd be very surprised if he didn't.

You'd have to ask wbmd. Apparently a preliminary offer isn't as good as hoping to sign.
As I said earlier, a preliminary offer didn't necessarily mean he would accept a contract.

Wheeler should have played his senior year at Minnesota - he's not ready for the NHL yet.

As I have said before, he was not ready to take control in the college game, how was he ready for the pros...

Coyotes knew this... Blake did not...

I wish him all the best, hope somebody takes a chance for his sake...

Gopher Blog · Post by **Gopher Blog** » Sat May 31, 2008 11:29 pm

Wheeler's game is probably more suited for the NHL than it is college. Especially with his size and speed and the fact that the NHL cracks down on obstruction much more than the WCHA does. It isn't uncommon for big guys to have a decent college career and then have a better pro career. He probably won't be a big scorer but I think he will make a pretty solid pro.

It obviously wasn't the money at issue for Wheeler. I also think it is ludicrous for people to act like he was looking to be guaranteed a roster spot in the NHL. I think it is simply a matter of wanting to find a place that he feels increases his chances of making the NHL next year and allows him to the best opportunity to thrive. He now has the luxury of choosing his path as opposed to having it forced on him. That is something a lot of young guys would like. It wouldn't surprise me if some other guys take this same tactic as time goes along.

I know St. Louis tried hard to trade for Wheeler's rights a year ago so it would not be a surprise to me if he ends up there where he can play with guys he is familiar with like Erik Johnson, David Backes, and TJ Oshie.

pacman · Post by **pacman** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:16 am

i would love to see the Wild pick up Wheeler.

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BLAKE WHEELER LEAVES THE GOPHERS

BLAKE WHEELER LEAVES THE GOPHERS

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