This former Bruins forward's NHL career is likely over.
Former Boston Bruins forward Blake Wheeler has not officially announced his retirement. However, based on his recent appearance on the Beyond High Performance Podcast, the veteran forward made it clear that his NHL career is very likely over.
Here is what Wheeler said on the podcast, as relayed by the Winnipeg Sun's Paul Friesen:
"It's just emotional, get up 82 times -- I don't want to do that. There's only so much gas in the tank for that."
Wheeler, 38, did not sign with a club this past off-season after hitting the free-agent market. The Bruins were rumored to be interested in bringing him back on a professional tryout (PTO), but that did not occur.
Wheeler spent the first three seasons of his NHL career with the Bruins, where he had 50 goals and 110 points in 221 games. His time with the Bruins ended after he was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers in 2010-11. From there, he blossomed into a star with the Winnipeg Jets and was their captain for multiple seasons.
In 1,172 career NHL games split between the Bruins, Jets, and New York Rangers, Wheeler had 321 goals, 622 assists, and 943 points.