Blake Wheeler a free agent

[coyoteshockeyfan]

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. He has decided, however, that becoming a free agent is in his best interest,” said Maloney.

“We are very happy with the compensatory pick we will receive for Blake not signing, which will be the fifth pick in the second round. This is a very deep draft and we now have five picks in the first two rounds, which is very exciting.”

http://coyotes.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=364733

What an absolute slimeball move by Wheeler. Gretzky and the organization shows faith in him by drafting him several spots higher than anybody else would have, let him stay in college as long as he wanted to, and offered him more money than any other team could, and he still rejects their offer. I hope this clown busts.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

http://coyotes.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=364733

What an absolute slimeball move by Wheeler. Gretzky and the organization shows faith in him by drafting him several spots higher than anybody else would have, let him stay in college as long as he wanted to, and offered him more money than any other team could, and he still rejects their offer. I hope this clown busts.

What an absolute prick Wheeler is. I don't know of any other organization who would have shown the faith in him to allow him such leeways that Gretzky and the Coyotes showed him, and when it comes time for their faith and decency to pay off, this joker takes the low road and opts for free agency.

I hope he flops miserably and is condemned to a hockey shelf life that never amounts to more than an AHL mainstay.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

definitely a crap move - although I wouldn't be too upset if the sharks got ahold of him.........................

 

[nooch]

NHL needs to get rid of this loophole. Very disappointed he didn't here, but at the same time I don't want this type of person on my team. He didn't want to be here plain and simple. Let him go be a cancer somewhere else.

 

[Scott MS]

Wheeler sucks -- both on and off the ice. He's proven it.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

NHL needs to get rid of this loophole. Very disappointed he didn't here, but at the same time I don't want this type of person on my team. He didn't want to be here plain and simple. Let him go be a cancer somewhere else.

Thankfully for the league, its a temporary loophole that's caused because of a rift between the old collective bargaining agreement and the new one (Wheeler was drafted in 04, under the old one). This shouldn't be a problem going forward, and Wheeler seems to be the only case of this occurring.

 

[puckhead]

What an absolute slimeball move by Wheeler.

Disgraceful.

(not you, CHF!)

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Wait Wheeler isn't that stud kid we have sitting in college the last two years is it???

Thats's someone else who is the uber prospect, right?

 

[Scott MS]

There is lots of speculation on the other boards that Wheeler probably figured he wouldn't make the Phoenix club anyways. The Coyotes are stocked with so many young players.

You have to wonder if Wheeler could beat out Porter, Kolarik, and MacLean. Certainly at least one or two of those guys is going to be playing in San Antonio.

 

[nooch]

Thankfully for the league, its a temporary loophole that's caused because of a rift between the old collective bargaining agreement and the new one (Wheeler was drafted in 04, under the old one). This shouldn't be a problem going forward, and Wheeler seems to be the only case of this occurring.

Thanks for the clarification.

Sucks that it happens to us, but hopefully its best for the coyotes in the end. Still sucks we wasted that high a pick on this guy.

 

[boondockdrunk]

Wait Wheeler isn't that stud kid we have sitting in college the last two years is it???

Thats's someone else who is the uber prospect, right?

He is the same, according to most scouting reports. Yet, I don't see him being anything other than a 2nd or 3rd line enforcer type with moderate scoring ability.

I have always thought it was a mistake taking Wheeler 5th overall, this just further proves it.

Not much to be said about this move by Blake and his agent. Clearly he never wanted to play here....

I think it is wrong to wish ill-will to anyone, however this move is a slap in the face to not just the Coyotes' organization but the fans as well. Whoever picks him up will surely regret it later (that is my opinion and I am sticking to it).

 

[JerkFace]

At least we get a second round pick for him. This is a deep draft class and we can probably get someone who is just about as good.

 

[Desert Rat]

Drafting him was one of former GM Mike Barnett's brilliant moves . So they tied him up for three years only to lose him to free agency. Why did he turn the Coyotes down? Too much competition awaiting at training camp, a money grab move presented by his agent or did he just not like Phoenix? Maybe he's just a spoiled brat that wants to go somewhere we he is certain to be the top dog. He was offered all the he was allowed to be offered and he turns his back on it. I don't like this guy's character and I wish him long career...in the UHL (now IHL).

 

[DrTrobridge]

Gretzky and the organization shows faith in him by drafting him several spots higher than anybody else would have, let him stay in college as long as he wanted to, and offered him more money than any other team could, and he still rejects their offer. I hope this clown busts.

HA! Well, at least Gretzky looks smart for taking him #5 overall now I guess...

He is the same, according to most scouting reports. Yet, I don't see him being anything other than a 2nd or 3rd line enforcer type with moderate scoring ability. I have always thought it was a mistake taking Wheeler 5th overall, this just further proves it. Not much to be said about this move by Blake and his agent. Clearly he never wanted to play here.... {...} Whoever picks him up will surely regret it later (that is my opinion and I am sticking to it).

You still sticking to that opinion? The fans in Boston are sure don't seem to have many regrets...

There is lots of speculation on the other boards that Wheeler probably figured he wouldn't make the Phoenix club anyways. The Coyotes are stocked with so many young players. You have to wonder if Wheeler could beat out Porter, Kolarik, and MacLean. Certainly at least one or two of those guys is going to be playing in San Antonio.

Good call. I heard Porter, Kolarik, and MacLean are close to pushing Jokinen, Wheeler, and Doan out of their spots in the lineup. Have you ever thought about applying for the open GM spot in Anaheim? You seem to have a real eye for talent.

And, finally, the only thing that is worthwhile in this thread:

Thankfully for the league, its a temporary loophole that's caused because of a rift between the old collective bargaining agreement and the new one (Wheeler was drafted in 04, under the old one). This shouldn't be a problem going forward, and Wheeler seems to be the only case of this occurring.

Amen to that. As far as the rest of the character assassination and delusion about Wheeler...well...wow. Enjoy your local football teams success and stop assailing people who are trying to make the best decisions for their own lives...their contract is not about your hometown, your family, or your team...it's about THEIR lives and THEIR families. Sorry to be the D-Bag-One-Post guy, but something had to be said. There was an interview with Wheeler on thepipelineshow.com that may shine some light on why he did what he did. That is all.

 

[Scott MS]

HA! Well, at least Gretzky looks smart for taking him #5 overall now I guess...



You still sticking to that opinion? The fans in Boston are sure don't seem to have many regrets...



Good call. I heard Porter, Kolarik, and MacLean are close to pushing Jokinen, Wheeler, and Doan out of their spots in the lineup. Have you ever thought about applying for the open GM spot in Anaheim? You seem to have a real eye for talent.

And, finally, the only thing that is worthwhile in this thread:



Amen to that. As far as the rest of the character assassination and delusion about Wheeler...well...wow. Enjoy your local football teams success and stop assailing people who are trying to make the best decisions for their own lives...their contract is not about your hometown, your family, or your team...it's about THEIR lives and THEIR families. Sorry to be the D-Bag-One-Post guy, but something had to be said. There was an interview with Wheeler on thepipelineshow.com that may shine some light on why he did what he did. That is all.

Welcome troll. Are you Wheeler's dad or his lover?

 

[Linderbee]

Welcome troll. Are you Wheeler's dad or his lover?

lol...gotta love people that register just to bump a 6 month old thread...

 

[Scott MS]

I'm sure the the warm and loving people of the city of Boston would understand if a 1st round draft choice turned down thier organization's contract after waiting three years for the player to turn pro . . .

 

[puckhead]

Are you Wheeler's dad or his lover?

Or both, perhaps?