Veteran New York Rangers forward Blake Wheeler was placed on the long-term injured list on Friday and will not return to action during the regular season.
According to tipster Chris Johnston of the network TSNit would even be unlikely that Wheeler, 37, would be recovered in time to take part in the playoffs this spring.
Wheeler suffered a serious injury to his right leg during Thursday night’s game against the Montreal Canadiens at Madison Square Garden.
After 12 seasons with the Winnipeg Jets, the American joined the Rangers on a one-year deal last summer.
Wheeler, who has played 1,172 games in the NHL, played in New York’s first 54 games this season, amassing nine goals and 12 assists. He recently played on the right wing of a trio completed by Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider.
This tile on the Rangers’ head could mean that general manager Chris Drury will try to find offensive help more quickly.
Already, the Blueshirts were among the buying clubs for an offensive winger as the trade deadline approached, scheduled for March 8.
