Blake Wheeler awarded $2.2 million in arbitration

by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Jul 29, 2010 10:37 PM EDT Comment 16 comments

The decision in Blake Wheeler's salary arbitration case with the Bruins was announced this evening with the arbiter awarding Wheeler $2.2 million for next season. The Bruins have 48 hours to exercise their right to walk away from the award, but the speculation is that the Bruins will sign the young winger to the one-year extension. The B's also have 48 hours to buy-out any player currently under contract.

The ruling was expected to come down earlier in the day, but the arbiter who was preceding over Wheeler's hearing was also assigned to hear Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Antti Niemi's arbitration hearing. Niemi's hearing lasted longer than expected, which pushed back the ruling in Wheeler's hearing.

The Bruins have to be happy with the $2.2 million decision considering that most speculated that Wheeler's award would be in the $2.5 million range.

Wheeler's agent, Matt Keator thought they ruling was fair and expressed that his client is looking forward to the upcoming season, saying "[The] decision came in [the] range we expected. There were no winners or losers in this case. Blake is excited for camp and ready to go." (Keator's Quote via Joe Haggerty of CSNNE)

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Yeah, okay. Sign him.

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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 30, 2010 8:36 AM EDT reply actions

Indeed - get on with this and move to the next phase of the off season, plenty left to do

by JonnyNYC on Jul 30, 2010 9:15 AM EDT reply actions

Just for shits and grins, what do y’all think of the (probably bogus) Stuart/Wheeler for Kaberle rumor?

At first, that seemed like a high price to pay, but the more I look at it, the more I think it might be good. I’d prefer to give up Hunwick in such a deal (who wouldn’t?), but I think I’d have to pull the trigger if that was on the table. Kaberle’s numbers are damn impressive (10.7 GVT last year, right in line with his 3 year average), and swapping Stuart for Kaberle in the D corps transforms it to a very mobile defensive group. Admittedly, the B’s get older in such a swap, which is a concern, but there’s so much depth at forward in the system that I wouldn’t be as concerned about the loss of Wheeler.

by Phunwin on Jul 30, 2010 9:17 AM EDT reply actions

Ugh pass

If we get a godamn d-man back from any Kaberle trade I’m gunna be pissed.

Also, doing quick mental math… that actually makes Boston’s cap situation worse, and it’s already in a bit of a pickle.
Kab (4.25M) > Wheeler (2.2M) + Stuart(1.675M)

Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.

by nhlcheapshot on Jul 30, 2010 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions

I am operating on the assumption that Ryder will be outrighted to Providence or will be traded to the Islanders.

by Phunwin on Jul 30, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Signed.

NaokoFunayama
Bruins sign Blake Wheeler to one-year contract.
8 minutes ago via web

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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 30, 2010 10:15 AM EDT reply actions

Cap

Everyone is talking about sending Ryder down to the minors to clear up 4m in cap. Why would they not just do that with Tim Thomas, who would clear 5m. I think Ryder is still capable of scoring goals and we have Tuukka who is going to start 60+ games anyways!!

by spartansmike on Jul 30, 2010 10:47 AM EDT reply actions

For one, because sending Thomas down wouldn’t clear any space. He was over 35 when he signed that deal so he counts towards the cap no matter where he is.

by Malurous on Jul 30, 2010 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions

For another, Thomas is actually, y’know, useful. Overpaid, perhaps, but still useful.

by Phunwin on Jul 30, 2010 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Thomas’ value will go up if he plays decently and a team that is heavily reliant on goaltending (see Panthers, Florida) gets an unfortunate injury. Heck, you never know this up coming year could have 2 big time goaltenders make it to the finals and the copycat GMs will suddenly want goaltending.

by BruinsSelectSeguin on Jul 30, 2010 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

That, plus TT’s no-movement clause also contains language that prevents him from being sent to the minors.

An escalator can never break. It can only become stairs.

by jjoe1185 on Jul 30, 2010 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Hehe, you people came through pretty nicely on why I added that “for one” there :D I might also point out that sending a player of his caliber down only because of cap issues and depth would look pretty awful on the Bruins.

by Malurous on Jul 30, 2010 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions