The Winnipeg Jets have bought out the final year Blake Wheeler's contract, making the former captain a free agent.
Wheeler, who has been with the team since it relocated from Atlanta prior to the 2011-12 season, is the all-time franchise leader in points (812) and he's coming off a 2022-23 campaign where he produced 55 in 72 games while skating 17:02 per night.
Although Wheeler has been immensely important to the franchise, the Jets were unwilling to keep the veteran with an $8.25 million cap hit in his age-37 season. As a result of the buyout, Winnipeg will save $5.