NHL veteran forward remains an option for the Toronto Maple Leafs

With the Toronto Maple Leafs looking to fill in their depth, there is one unsigned NHL veteran they could look to sign.

The Maple Leafs are getting closer to a lineup that could play deeper into the playoffs. However, with the season rapidly approaching, they have fewer options left in free agency to finish their work. However, one veteran player has been named as a potential PTO for the Boston Bruins, and could very easily switch sides to a tryout in Toronto. This is 38-year-old forward Blake Wheeler.

Blake Wheeler was the fifth overall 2004 NHL Draft pick, getting selected by Phoenix. However, he first played in the NHL with the Boston Bruins, eventually playing 221 games with them in total. Blake Wheeler spent most of his career with the Winnipeg Jets, playing 12 of his 16 years for the team. Upon hitting free agency last year, he decided to sign with the New York Rangers.

What is most impressive of Blake Wheeler, though, is his record. he has 321 goals and 943 points in 1172 career games. Additionally, he recorded more than 50 in ten of his 16, with two reaching 91 This helped earn him the distinction as the franchise's first 700-point scorer. However, his production has fallen off more each year, only posting 9 goals and 21 points in 54 games last season. This does not decrease his goal production rate over the last three years, but this is almost one point less for every hour on the ice.

Blake Wheeler is still a talented right wing who could provide some depth for the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, as his play continues to decline as he approaches 40, there may be a better option for the team out there. Regardless, a PTO is a low enough risk for the management to assess his compatibility.

Source: Hockey Patrol1,000 game NHL Veteran a potential signing option for the Toronto Maple Leafs

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