An interesting article about players who decide to become college free agents. Wheeler was part of the article and it surprised me that it was the Coyotes that didn't want Wheeler and not vice versa.
Blake Wheeler ended up a free agent prior to the 2008-09 season because the Coyotes, who had drafted him No. 5 in 2004, didn’t want him. New management, new development team and not much interest. That wasn’t the first time the Phoenix/Arizona franchise botched a decision, and Wheeler was ultimately grateful that the Coyotes let him know during his junior year at the University of Minnesota so he could plan out his NHL free-agency tour. He chose the Bruins, kicking off a 16-year career that’s still going.
https://twitter.com/TheAthleticNHL/status/1758168186858717197
In what world does your organization draft someone 5th overall in the NHL draft and then declare that you do not want him?
He could have been flipped for a different asset (like a reverse Cutter Gauthier scenario) that you do want or any number of other things to get a return on your investment...
The Coyotes have been an awful organization for such a long time, this does not surprise me.
'29, '40, '74, '76, '79, '02, & '03
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There's zero chance that Arizona told Wheeler that they didn't want to sign him and he should seek free agency.
This is from a 2015 interview Blake had with a Winnipeg paper.
“I played my last college game and I was fully expecting to sign with Phoenix and maybe even play games at the end of that season. I was ready to go,” said Wheeler, who was chosen fifth overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. “I watched their games and knew players on the team. I thought that was going to happen. But (Coyotes GM Don Maloney) talked to me a couple days after and hinted that it wasn't looking that way.”
The Jets host the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday in what will be their second-to-last game before the NHL All-Star break.
Wheeler ended up exercising a loophole in the collective bargaining agreement that allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent in late May of 2008 — following his junior season at the University of Minnesota — and signed with the Boston Bruins that summer.
“It was a clean slate. When I was drafted in Phoenix, it was different management and pretty much a different organization from the time I was drafted to the time I went to Boston. They had a new regime and new prospects,” said Wheeler. “I was far down the totem pole and it would have been a tough situation for me to claw my way out of there.
“I go to Boston and clearly, they wanted me. I didn't expect to make the team, but I got a chance right out of camp. It worked out great.”
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This is from a 2015 interview Blake had with a Winnipeg paper.
“I played my last college game and I was fully expecting to sign with Phoenix and maybe even play games at the end of that season. I was ready to go,” said Wheeler, who was chosen fifth overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. “I watched their games and knew players on the team. I thought that was going to happen. But (Coyotes GM Don Maloney) talked to me a couple days after and hinted that it wasn't looking that way.”
The Jets host the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday in what will be their second-to-last game before the NHL All-Star break.
Wheeler ended up exercising a loophole in the collective bargaining agreement that allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent in late May of 2008 — following his junior season at the University of Minnesota — and signed with the Boston Bruins that summer.
“It was a clean slate. When I was drafted in Phoenix, it was different management and pretty much a different organization from the time I was drafted to the time I went to Boston. They had a new regime and new prospects,” said Wheeler. “I was far down the totem pole and it would have been a tough situation for me to claw my way out of there.
“I go to Boston and clearly, they wanted me. I didn't expect to make the team, but I got a chance right out of camp. It worked out great.”
But he said zero chance!!!
There's zero chance that Arizona told Wheeler that they didn't want to sign him and he should seek free agency.
He was an obvious talent, sure, but while he was in college, I don't remember him as being a can't-miss NHL star.
Everything turned out great for him, but I'm not surprised that a team had second thoughts.
This is from a 2008 interview with a quote from the Coyotes-This is from a 2015 interview Blake had with a Winnipeg paper.
“I played my last college game and I was fully expecting to sign with Phoenix and maybe even play games at the end of that season. I was ready to go,” said Wheeler, who was chosen fifth overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. “I watched their games and knew players on the team. I thought that was going to happen. But (Coyotes GM Don Maloney) talked to me a couple days after and hinted that it wasn't looking that way.”
The Jets host the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday in what will be their second-to-last game before the NHL All-Star break.
Wheeler ended up exercising a loophole in the collective bargaining agreement that allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent in late May of 2008 — following his junior season at the University of Minnesota — and signed with the Boston Bruins that summer.
“It was a clean slate. When I was drafted in Phoenix, it was different management and pretty much a different organization from the time I was drafted to the time I went to Boston. They had a new regime and new prospects,” said Wheeler. “I was far down the totem pole and it would have been a tough situation for me to claw my way out of there.
“I go to Boston and clearly, they wanted me. I didn't expect to make the team, but I got a chance right out of camp. It worked out great.”
t https://bleacherreport.com/articles/26318-wasted-effort-blake-wheeler-says-no-to-gretzky
"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.”
It's possible that the Coyotes asked Wheeler to come back for his senior year, or maybe that they were not willing to burn the 1st year of his contract by signing him at the end of the 08 season. This might be the kind of stuff that Wheeler is talking about . But it makes no sense to suggest that the Coyotes weren't willing to offer him a contract. It just doesn't work that way. Teams would line up to offer the Coyotes valuable assets for his rights.
There are often two sides to stories like Blake Wheeler becoming a free agent rather than signing with Arizona and recruiting stories such as Brock Boeser.
Yes, there’s always two sides to every story… just ask UND players. Pee’ing in elevators, throwing lawnmowers, printing currency, letting detained teammates out of police cars, walking in snow with no socks…
Bad looking knee injury for Wheeler last night... I hope he's ok.
'29, '40, '74, '76, '79, '02, & '03
GPL's Resident Cabin Enthusiast & Cadets Hockey Fan
Wheeler is done for the rest of the regular season..
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1758589346020561342
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What was the injury? Broken ankle or torn knee ligament? Looked very painful. I did the former playing hockey once. 10/10 do not recommend.
What was the injury? Broken ankle or torn knee ligament? Looked very painful. I did the former playing hockey once. 10/10 do not recommend.
They said "right leg" and I agree with you that it appears a knee ligament.
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That’s the second time in a few weeks a player tore a knee/ankle apart because the skate got stuck underneath them. Sergachev for Tampa had a similar thing. Rare injury but looks painful as hell.
Father and son with a goalie goal...
https://twitter.com/TheAHL/status/1758884613571666266
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So as a goalie he out scored the other team. 😯 👍
https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1759656186641580320
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Father and son with a goalie goal...
Of all the sports, hockey has to have the most father-son duos to play professionally, right? Maybe baseball 2nd?
Probably. I assume it is a product of it being a niche sport, though. A lot more competition with other ones.
Lindgren is the crash test dummy of the NHL.
https://twitter.com/BR_OpenIce/status/1760093680243712314
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Lindgren is the crash test dummy of the NHL.
He reminds me of the movie 'Rudy' when Rudy is trying to make the practice squad at Notre Dame and just takes a beating and keeps on going.
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Haven't seen this posted here yet...
Tact is the ability to step on a man's toes without messing up the shine on his shoes - Harry S Truman
Hi there Mr. Rau.
Stu Bickel was on the Cochella Firebirds bench.
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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Good for Tommy
https://twitter.com/PredsNHL/status/1764718661556674670
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Good for him. btw in that photo at least he looks a bit like the lead singer from Muse.
Casey Mittelstadt to Colorado.
https://twitter.com/Avalanche/status/1765458221160903084
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Good for Seeler. One of Torts favorite players, unfortunately his contract will out live Torts in Philly.
https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger/status/1765472212696563810
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That's a great deal for Colorado. Not sure what Buffalo is doingCasey Mittelstadt to Colorado.
That's a great deal for Colorado. Not sure what Buffalo is doingCasey Mittelstadt to Colorado.
The hint of success scares them.
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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That's a great deal for Colorado. Not sure what Buffalo is doingCasey Mittelstadt to Colorado.
Buffalo as usual makes a stupid move just like their Bills
Aloha!
Bo Byrum is a good offensive D & Casey is in the last year of his contract, can become a restricted free agent, so I see it as a decent trade for both teams. Happy to see Casey go to a contender though.That's a great deal for Colorado. Not sure what Buffalo is doingCasey Mittelstadt to Colorado.
Buffalo as usual makes a stupid move just like their Bills
Now Buffalo sends Okposo to Florida.
https://www.tsn.ca/buffalo-sabres-deal-kyle-okposo-to-florida-panthers-1.2086975?tsn-amp
Erik Johnson traded to the Flyers. Ben Meyers traded to the Ducks
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Hopefully that move works out for Ben
Fewer Gophers on the Sabres now:
Analysis: Kevyn Adams managed to trade Casey Mittelstadt for a young stud defenseman in Bowen Byram. I think that move will age well if Byram can stay healthy, and it gives the Sabres flexibility to change the look of their forward group this summer. Adams also got a fourth-round pick for Erik Johnson, who has had an underwhelming season, and let Kyle Okposo land with a playoff contender. This wasn’t a slam dunk deadline, but Adams did as much as could be expected. The real test for him comes in the summer. — Matthew Fairburn
Just gathered together, though posted separately above
My brother and I went to see an ECHL game last night in Allen, Texas. A couple of ex-Gophers were playing on the Kansas City Mavericks: Jack LaFontaine and Nate Koepke. Now I get that Koepke was only a Gopher for a half cup of coffee, but he was on the #1 defensive pairing. Laffer had the night off. He is apparently having a good year for them with a 2.47 GAA and a .921 in 16 games (12-2-2 record). Seems that team applies a solid 2 goalie rotation.
And I guess I had no idea, but players in the ECHL make about $650/wk on average. The team has a salary cap of $14,500 a week. Those guys must REALLY love playing hockey for that kind of money.
As a side note, Easton Brodzinski playes for the Allen Americans and had 2 goals last night in a 8-4 loss.
https://twitter.com/patmick2626/status/1767546075009724795?s=20
I apologize if I’m remembering things incorrectly, but I believe Eric was a Stillwater kid. Think he went to NDSU first to play football, then found his way to the “U” for hockey.
Eric Dornfeld
Defense
Born May 18 1964 -- Stillwater, MN
Height 5.11 -- Weight 195
--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
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1983-84 St. Paul Vulcans USHL 0 0 0 0 0
1984-85 U. of Minnesota WCHA 4 0 2 2 2
1985-86 U. of Minnesota WCHA 43 3 8 11 29
1986-87 U. of Minnesota WCHA 45 3 8 11 53
I am sure you have that correct. I remember him in HS and college, solid 3rd/4th line player his last two years if I recall correctly.
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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Jonny Sorenson signs with the Wild's ECHL team in Iowa.
https://twitter.com/GoHeartlanders/status/1767600605416042905
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https://twitter.com/poleary21/status/1767931621137604762
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So, for ex-Gophers in that picture I’m picking out Tom Chorske, Gino Geyer, Winny Brodt, Brian Bonin, Pat O’Leary, Paul Martin, Joe Dziedzic and I’m guessing that’s Ben Gordon in the Broncos jersey?
So, for ex-Gophers in that picture I’m picking out Tom Chorske, Gino Geyer, Winny Brodt, Brian Bonin, Pat O’Leary, Paul Martin, Joe Dziedzic and I’m guessing that’s Ben Gordon in the Broncos jersey?
looks like Eric Wendell next to Martin?
So, for ex-Gophers in that picture I’m picking out Tom Chorske, Gino Geyer, Winny Brodt, Brian Bonin, Pat O’Leary, Paul Martin, Joe Dziedzic and I’m guessing that’s Ben Gordon in the Broncos jersey?
looks like Eric Wendell next to Martin?
Jeff Taffe next to O'leary with the beard
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Another former Gopher signs with the Heartlanders.
https://twitter.com/GoHeartlanders/status/1768381588113674651
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Lindgren injured again today, poor guy can’t catch a break. Looks like a knee and didn’t look good on video. I’d be surprised if he plays anymore this season but hopefully it just looked and sounded worse than it is…