Blake Wheeler begins skating again for New York Rangers after lower-body injury

Wheeler was injured after being hit by Jayden Struble in first period of a 7-4 win against the Montreal Canadiens. He was helped off the ice in an emotional moment and placed on long-term injured reserve shortly after.

The Plymouth, Minnesota native was ruled out for the remainder of the regular season. 

As of April 10, Wheeler was unlikely to return for the playoffs, according to Rangers’ beat writer Mollie Walker. 

“He’s progressing, but slowly,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said. “I see him. He’s still on that long road. The team sees him once in a while. When you’re in a situation like that, your hours don’t exactly line up.

“I saw him just before we came here [to Long Island]. Got to chat with him a little bit. It was good, good to see him. We miss him.”

Wheeler tallied 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in 53 games this season after signing a one-year, $850,000 contract with New York on July 1. 

The 37-year-old served as captain for six seasons for the Winnipeg Jets and has 943 points (321 goals, 622 assists) in 1,172 NHL games with the Boston Bruins, Atlanta Thrashers, Jets and Rangers.

Wheeler has some playoff experience as well. The forward has recorded 45 points (10 goals, 35 assists) and a minus-13 rating in 65 career playoff games with the Bruins and Jets.

New York kicks off its playoff run with Game 1 against the Washington Capitals on Sunday afternoon at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers finished 55-23-4 and won the President’s Trophy for the fourth time with the most points in the regular season.