Wheeler signs 1-year, $800,000 contract with Rangers

Blake Wheeler signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the New York Rangers on Saturday. The deal includes a possible $300,000 in bonuses.

The 36-year-old forward was an unrestricted free agent after he had the final season of his five-year, $41.25 million contract bought out by the Winnipeg Jets.

Wheeler (6-foot-5, 220 pounds) was Jets captain from 2016-22 before he had his captaincy stripped prior to this season. He had 55 points (16 goals, 39 assists) in 72 regular-season games last season and six points (two goals, four assists) in five Stanley Cup Playoff games.

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"I want to thank everyone in Winnipeg for all the love and support over these past 12 years," Wheeler said. "It has been my absolute honor and privilege to be a Winnipeg Jet and to represent this city and organization. My family and I can't thank everyone in the city and province enough for everything you've done for us. Winnipeg is always going to be a home to myself, my wife Sam, and our children: Louie, Leni, and Mase. Thank you so much for the support, love and friendship that you've shown us these past 12 years and we look forward to rooting on the Jets in the future."

Selected by the Phoenix Coyotes in the first round (No. 5) of the 2004 NHL Draft, Wheeler has 922 points (312 goals, 610 assists) in 1,118 regular-season games for the Jets, Atlanta Thrashers and Boston Bruins and 45 points (10 goals, 35 assists) in 65 playoff games. He's first in games (897), assists (550) and points (812) in Jets/Thrashers history and third in goals (262).

"Lots to like with Blake Wheeler," Rangers general manager Chris Drury said. "Certainly his experience, his leadership, size. He does a lot of everything out there for a big, veteran winger. We think he can move up and down our lineup. We're excited he wants to be here, believes in what we're doing and we're happy he's on board."

Jonathan Quick Video: Blake Wheeler joins New York Rangers on Saturday. The deal includes a possible $100,000 in bonuses.

The 37-year-old goalie was 16-15-6 with a 3.41 goals-against average, .882 save percentage and two shutouts in 41 regular-season games (36 starts) for the Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings last season, including 5-2-2 with a 3.13 GAA, .901 save percentage and one shutout in 10 games (nine starts) after he was acquired in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 2.

Quick did not play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Golden Knights, who won the Stanley Cup. He also won the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014 with the Kings. He will be the backup to No. 1 goalie Igor Shesterkin.

"I think it'll be seamless," Drury said. "He's excited to be a Ranger. He's a Connecticut kid that wanted to come here, play here and be a Ranger. He knows all about 'Shesty' and his accomplished and I think he's ready to take on the role of mentor, similar to what he did in Vegas. Excited to have him."

The Rangers also signed defenseman Erik Gustafsson to a one-year contract, forwards Riley Nash and Alex Belzile, each to a two-year contract, and forwards Nick Bonino and Tyler Pitlick, each to a one-year contract.

"We think the world of Nick. He's obviously a veteran player and does just about everything you can ask your bottom six center, your fourth line center to do; face-offs, PK," Drury said. "He certainly has a winning pedigree and he's an extremely smart player. I think he'll pass on a lot of good wisdom to all our young players and players that haven't won Cups yet."

NHL.com senior writer Dan Rosen contributed to this report