It's possible Winnipeg Jets forward Blake Wheeler didn't mean to be as abrasive with his comments to Craig Custance of ESPN, but it came off that way. During a media tour in New York, Wheeler let his feelings on Evander Kane, 23, be known.

Wheeler on E. Kane: He’s coming to the stage of his career where he’s no longer a young guy. He needs to step up & be a leader on our team. — Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) September 9, 2014

Kane went through a tumultuous summer with the Jets as rumors that he wanted out ran rampant. He recently said he was pleased to be back with the Jets, something the organization hopes is true.

[h/t pro hockey talk]