BOSTON — Almost seven years ago, the Boston Bruins were on a run that would take them to a Stanley Cup title and Blake Wheeler was one of the chips they played to get there.
The then 24-year-old third-line Bruins forward was shipped along with blue-liner Mark Stuart to the Atlanta Thrashers in a pre-deadline deal for forwards Rich Peverley and defenceman Boris Valabik. Peverley became a valuable part of Boston's Cup run but Valabik slipped into anonymity, confirming his status as a first-round draft bust.
It was one of the best deals Atlanta GM Rick Dudley ever made.