Wednesday afternoon ESPN‘s Emily Kaplan and TSN‘s Pierre LeBrun reported that the Seattle Kraken will be sending centerman Alex Wennberg to the New York Rangers– and retaining 50% of his contract– for a 2024 2nd-round pick and a 2025 4th-round pick.
According to NHL Insider Chris Johnston, the 2025 4th-round pick will become a 2025 3rd-round pick if Nils Lundkvist reaches 55 points over this season and last season. Currently, Lundkvist has 31 points through 105 games.
Wennberg has remained a second-line anchor since the inaugural days of the franchise, signing a three year, $4.5 million AAV deal with Seattle as a free agent in June 2021. Touting nine goals and 25 points in 60 games this season, Wennberg will depart Seattle with exactly 100 points as a Kraken, the fifth player in team history to do so.
Having historically been used in a shutdown role, need for Wennberg’s defensively inclined skill set has declined as desperation for scoring has increased. But New York, gracing the top of the Metropolitan Division standings the majority of the season and fiending for a bottom-six upgrade before heading to the postseason, have long been in the market for someone of Wennberg’s repertoire, regardless of offensive deficiency.
Several teams, including the Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche, were believed to have kept tabs on Wennberg, according to The Fourth Period‘s David Pagnotta. Talks seemed to have intensified with the Rangers as soon as the Swede was pulled from the lineup for “trade-related issues” on Monday. Johnston reported at the time that Seattle was “working through their trade options,” indicating several suitors may have been in Wennberg’s pursuit.
Wennberg did not play Monday or Tuesday with Seattle for asset management reasons.
Notably, Wennberg’s contract includes a 10-team modified no trade clause. Given that the Anaheim Ducks moved Adam Henrique to the Edmonton Oilers hours prior, a tightened centerman market could have played into the acquisition being New York’s.
“We want to thank Alex for his contribution to the Kraken over these last three seasons,” said Seattle Kraken General Manager Ron Francis via press release. “Alex has been with our team since day one and was an important part of establishing our franchise. We wish him well in New York.”
Leave a tip to support our writers and staff!