Alex Wennberg’s wild year of travel

Former Seattle Kraken Alexander Wennberg made what might be described as a “crossword puzzle” free agent move over the summer – 3,000 miles across the country from New York to San Jose, and 31 places down in the NHL standings.

Wennberg played 222 games as an original member of the Kraken, until his trade to the Rangers on March 6. “It was kind of a crazy situation last year with Seattle, with the wife that was 37 weeks pregnant (at the time of the trade),” he recalled to SanJoseHockeyNow.com. Felicia Wennberg gave birth to the couple’s second child, Ivy, three weeks later. By that time, they had already purchased a home in suburban Connecticut.

(With the 2024 2nd round draft choice Seattle received from New York in the trade, the Kraken selected Nathan Villeneuve, an agitator with offensive upside who plays center for the OHL Sudbury Wolves. Seattle also acquired a 4th round pick in next year’s draft.)

Wennberg Joined Historic Rangers Squad

The Rangers went on to capture the President’s Trophy, awarded to the team which finishes on top of the league’s regular season standings. Their 55 wins and 114 points were the most in the 98-year history of the franchise. The depth addition of Wennberg only made NYR a more popular pick to win its first Stanley Cup since 1994.

Wennberg’s overtime winner in Game 3 of the second round against eventual Cup champion Florida would be New York’s last victory of the season. Though he wasn’t brought to the Big Apple for offense, his two goals in 35 combined regular season and playoff games didn’t impress. The Blueshirts never seriously considered meeting the center’s asking price as a pending free agent.

California Dreamin’

The Sharks, whose 19 wins and 47 standings points placed them in the NHL basement last season, welcomed the 29-year-old Swede back to the West Coast. “Alexander is a good two-way center and provides a good veteran presence for our forward group,” Sharks general manager Mike Grier said in a statement. “He plays a fast-paced game and can be utilized in all situations. We are excited to have him inside the organization.”

Wennberg comes to the Shark Tank via a two year, $10 million contract signed July 1. Given his family’s coast-to-coast-to-coast sojourn in 2024, perhaps the most valuable part of the deal is a complete no-trade clause for 2024-25, and a modified one for 2025-26. “I would say it’s about what I think is best for my career and for my family. I tried the rain in Seattle, so I kind of look forward to try a little bit more sun on the West Coast this time.”

Though the climate may be different, Wennberg sees parallels between the expansion Kraken and rebuilding Sharks. “Obviously, came to Seattle, we started a new organization from scratch and it was kind of like a similar situation in many ways, that young team coming in. I’ve been in teams where you build on something, and it’s really exciting, to be a part of the journey. That’s why I feel like this could be something really good and why I’m so excited about it as well.”