Rangers lose Blake Wheeler to injury, intensifying their need to add a RW

NEW YORK – Right wing may have just moved to the top of the Rangers’ trade-deadline priority list.

The possible loss of Blake Wheeler, who’s feared to have suffered a serious right-leg injury during the first period of Thursday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens, threatens to further weaken what was already a thin position.

The 37-year-old veteran took a hit from Habs defenseman Jayden Struble behind the Montreal net, causing his right skate to get caught on the ice and his leg to twist awkwardly. He immediately yelled out in pain, then crumbled back down to the ice when he tried to get up. He was helped to the Madison Square Garden tunnel by teammates and did not appear to put any weight on the right leg.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 15: Blake Wheeler #17 of the New York Rangers is injured during the first period on a check by Jayden Struble #47 of the Montreal Canadiens at Madison Square Garden on February 15, 2024 in New York City.

The longtime Winnipeg Jet signed a one-year, $800,000 deal with performance-bonus incentives to come to New York over the summer, posting 21 points (nine goals and 12 assists) while playing in all 54 games to this point. His production has been well below the point-per-game days of his prime and his skating has diminished at this stage of his career, but he’s provided a low-cost, serviceable option on a shallow RW depth chart.

Wheeler has spent a chunk of the season playing on the top line with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad, including the last seven games in a row, but it appears he could be out for some time.

Center has been considered the Rangers’ top need heading toward the NHL’s March 8 trade deadline, particularly since losing Filip Chytil for the season following a setback from a concussion, but their hope was to also add a right winger who could provide another choice in that 1RW spot. Now that looks like a necessity − one they may devote a large portion of their more-than $5 million in available salary cap space towards.

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In the meantime, either Kaapo Kakko or Jimmy Vesey figures to get the first crack at moving up in the lineup. Kakko has already logged 179:06 time on ice with Kreider and Zibanejad this season, and while they’ve generated positive underlying numbers (including a 56.95% xGF, according to Natural Stat Trick), that trio has only produced five goals while allowing just two. Rookie Will Cuylle, who scored his 10th goal of the season during Thursday’s second period, provides another alternative, although his natural position is on the left side.

That decision could be influenced by which forward the Rangers decide to back fill into the lineup. Alex Belzile was recalled from AHL Hartford on Wednesday and could slot into a fourth-line role, as could the recently waived Tyler Pitlick. But prospect Brennan Othmann looms as the highest upside possibility and would be better served someplace in the top nine. The 2021 first-round draft pick got a brief taste of life in the NHL during a three-game stint with New York in early January and has registered 33 points (13 goals and 20 assists) through 40 AHL games this season, including goals in three of his last four games.

Inserting Belzile or Pitlick might favor Vesey as the choice to move up to the top line, but Othmann would more likely to take a spot on the third line, clearing the way for Kakko to get another shot at 1RW.

Vincent Z. Mercogliano is the New York Rangers beat reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Read more of his work at lohud.com/sports/rangers/ and follow him on Twitter @vzmercogliano.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Rangers lose Blake Wheeler to injury, intensifying RW need