The Seattle Kraken have found a trade partner for centre Alexander Wennberg. The New York Rangers have added the forward for the stretch drive. Moreover, the Kraken have decided to retain 50% of his salary and receive a second-round pick in 2024 and an additional fourth-rounder in 2025. The 29-year-old will be a nice depth addition upfront and brings playoff experience. Wennberg provides a bit of support that might make a difference in the long grind ahead. Teams are looking for anything to get the edge as the 2024 NHL trade deadline leads into the Stanley Cup playoff drive.
Kraken retain 50 percent on Wennberg
Seattle gets 2nd in 24 and 4th in 25— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 6, 2024
The Seattle Kraken Trade Centreman Alexander Wennberg
NEWS: #SeaKraken Alex Wennberg is unavailable tonight for “trade-related issues”
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) March 4, 2024
Wennberg is a 10-year veteran of the NHL. He has appeared in six different post-seasons and has always been a contributor. This year for the Kraken he has 25 points through 60 games played. Moreover, his career-high in points came way back in 2016-17 with 59 playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets. If you take a look at his career power play ice time, you will notice there is likely correlation between his point production and power play ice time. For example, his career-high in total power play ice time came in 2016-17 at 211.7 minutes. This year, he isn’t quite at that pace at 121.8 minutes through the 60 games. Therefore, his production is down this year.
What Does This Mean for the Kraken
The Seattle Kraken are not in the playoff picture like they had envisioned based on last year’s run to within one game of the Western Conference Finals. Therefore, trading a depth forward who is on an expiring contract for an asset is a win-win. Even though Wennberg was an asset through last year’s playoff run, he is by no means a huge difference-maker. Acquiring a couple assets is a smart move by General Manager Ron Francis.
What Is In Store for Wennberg and the New Year to Rangers
Well the Blueshirts welcome aboard Alexander Wennberg after the trade. As we mentioned, he is a great third-line producer. He has been very consistent throughout his NHL career and brings playoff experience. When you bring in a forward like this, it means you are serious about a run. You feel you have the pieces in place, and don’t want to disrupt chemistry. But, adding a depth forward, who is a solid skater, will go a long way. Hopefully he can provide the grit that the Rangers lineup could use. We shall see!
Main photo: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
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