Report: Wheeler out for regular season with leg injury

New York Rangers veteran Blake Wheeler will miss the rest of the regular season because of a leg injury, reports The Athletic's Peter Baugh.

Wheeler hasn't been ruled out for a playoff return, but it's unlikely and depends on whether the Rangers can make a deep run. New York will place him on long-term injured reserve.

The 37-year-old got hurt during the first period of Thursday's 7-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. He was unable to return with what the team called a lower-body injury, but he couldn't put any weight on his right leg following a hit from Habs defenseman Jayden Struble.

Wheeler joined the Rangers on a one-year, $800,000 deal - with an additional $300,000 available in performance bonuses - in July after the final year of his contract was bought out by the Winnipeg Jets.

He put up nine goals and 21 points in 54 games this season while spending most of his ice time on a line with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad.

The Rangers currently occupy the top spot in the Metropolitan Division with a 35-16-3 record.