Blake Wheeler Locked Up For Five More Years

The Winnipeg Jets sign Blake Wheeler to a five-year contract extension –

Blake Wheeler’s five-year contract extension is worth $41,250,000 with an AAV of $8,250,000 per season.  This deal kicks in for the 2019-20 season.  So Winnipeg Jets fans have six more years of their captain.

About Blake Wheeler

Pos:  RW   Shot:  R
DOB:  Aug 31, 1986  Born:  Plymouth, MN
Height:  6′5”   Weight:  225
Drafted:  2004 – Phoenix Coyotes  Rnd: 1st   Overall: 5th
2017-18:  Regular  GP: 81  G: 23  A: 68  Pts: 91  PIM: 52  Plus/Minus: +13

2017-18:  Playoffs GP: 17  G: 3  A: 18  Pts: 21  PIM: 10   Plus/Minus: n/a

Blake Wheeler extension breakdown: $10 M, $6.5 M, $10 M, $6.5 M, $8.25 M; SB in Year 1 only ($4 M). So the lockout protection comes in the form of having his two lowest salaried years in 2020-21 and 2022-23 (potential lockout years).

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) September 4, 2018

Analysis:

This signing was no surprise but yet it was a bit of a surprise because of the timing.  I’m sure most Winnipeg Jets fans had their thoughts on a Josh Morrissey signing.  The nice thing about the deal is it automatically ends any conversation or speculation for the next eleven months about his future.  Speculation by everyone and their brother can be exhausting.  The Jacob Trouba contract talks come to mind.    

Was the AAV a surprise?  Not for me.  When you consider Jonathon Toews is getting paid $10,500,000 for the next five seasons, I think the Jets got a pretty good deal. 

Was the term a surprise?  Yes and no.  Players Wheeler’s age don’t usually get that much term but Blake Wheeler might be a little different.  He has been durable, he can still skate and his skating shouldn’t be a problem as he gets older.  He doesn’t have a lot of miles on him due to the lack of post-season play and he is highly motivated to win.  He also likes it in Winnipeg.  That shouldn’t be a reason to re-sign or extend a player’s contract BUT this is TNSE.  They operate this way and they always have so we shouldn’t be surprised.  The reality is he will be 37-years-old at the end of this contract and if the team reaches the promised land it won’t really matter.  

Final Thought:

Like any contract there is always risk.  This is why NHL GMs get paid the big bucks.  The owner, GM, and coaches all weigh in and the organisation makes the decision if he is worth the gamble.  In Blake Wheeler’s case, I’m sure there was significant discussion but I bet it wasn’t a hard sell throughout the organisation.

At 32, Blake Wheeler is coming off his best season and he seems to be getting better.  He seems to be a bit of an anomaly.  Yes, I am drinking the Kool-Aid. 

Also, is it a coincidence that Mark Scheifele’s contract and Blake Wheeler’s contract expire at the same time? 

Extending Blake Wheeler was a no-brainer.

This contract gets:    

Chevy gets an:  A

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