Alex Wennberg Finds New Home: NHL Star Inks Deal with the Sharks
After being dealt from the Seattle Kraken to the New York Rangers at the trade deadline last season, two-way forward Alex Wennberg had ambitions of making a big contribution to a Stanley Cup contender going into the playoffs. Nevertheless, Wennberg's output was restricted in his 35 games with the Rangers, including the playoffs, as he only managed two goals, five assists, and seven points. Wennberg's reputation for recovering from subpar performance and his ability to mentor younger players made him a highly sought-after player when he hit free agency this summer, despite his dismal results with the Rangers. According to The Athletic, the San Jose Sharks have signed Wennberg to a two-year deal, worth $10 million.
The Columbus Blue Jackets selected the 29-year-old with the 14th overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. Wennberg played three seasons with the Djurgårdens IF in the Swedish hockey division before signing with the NHL. In his final season there, he scored 14 goals. Wennberg had his breakthrough season with the Blue Jackets in 2016–17, his third season in the league, recording 13 goals, 46 assists, 59 points, and two power-play goals. The Florida Panthers signed Wennberg to a one-year contract in 2020 after his contract was bought out, leaving him a free agent following his six seasons in Columbus. Wennberg experienced a comeback in his lone season with the Panthers following a rough conclusion to his time with the Blue Jackets. In the pandemic-shortened season, Wennberg recorded a career-high 17 goals, 12 assists, and 29 points with the Panthers.
Prior to getting traded from the Kraken, Wennberg spent three seasons in Seattle, where he continued to see an increase in scoring as he recorded 33 goals, 67 assists, and 100 points. Throughout his 10-year career, Wennberg has been recognized for his exceptional defensive play and his capacity to generate scoring opportunities for teammates. Wennberg's acquisition will provide the Sharks, who have great hopes for next season, another quality center who can spearhead the offensive attack and create opportunities for teammates to score goals. With the Sharks, Wennberg is poised to have a significant impact on the Sharks’ success next season.
