With Filip Chytil (concussion) out for the season and on LTIR, there has been plenty of speculation that the Rangers would look to make a move to add to their center depth heading into the playoffs. It appears they’re looking to do just that as Larry Brooks of the New York Post reported earlier this week that the team has shown some interest in Kraken middleman Alexander Wennberg.
The 29-year-old is in the third and final season of a contract that carries a $4.5MM AAV. Considering he’ll be an unrestricted free agent in the summer, he’d fit New York’s plans of a short-term addition while keeping their cap space open if Chytil can return as planned next season.
Wennberg has recorded eight goals and 14 assists so far this season in 56 games, a level of production that is slightly below his first two seasons with Seattle. However, Wennberg isn’t known for being a true offensive threat but rather more of a two-way secondary option. He’s a frequent member of their top penalty killing unit which could help what is already a strong Ranger penalty kill that sits sixth in success rate heading into tonight’s action.
Of course, it’s worth remembering that the rental center market is quite thinned out following the trades of Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan so this will be a case where more teams are looking for one than there are rental centers available. That means the cost for Wennberg’s services could be relatively high should Seattle opt to sell closer to the trade deadline; as they’re three points out of the last Wild Card, there’s no guarantee GM Ron Francis will move out his rentals.
At the moment, the Rangers have a little under $4.4MM in full-season LTIR space, per CapFriendly. While they could add a bit more to that by sending a player down which would then free up enough space for Wennberg, it stands to reason that New York – or pretty much any interested team – would want the Kraken to retain up to the maximum 50% of that. Of course, that should only increase the asking price from Seattle’s end.
The trade deadline is now just two weeks away so teams still have a bit of time to decide what direction they’re going to go from a buyer and seller perspective. It’s safe to say that the Rangers and several other teams will be keeping an eye on Seattle to see if they make Wennberg or any of their other expiring veterans (including Jordan Eberle, Tomas Tatar, and Justin Schultz) available. If they don’t sell, that thin center market is going to get a whole lot thinner.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
The Kraken are in a five-way battle for one spot, so maybe the playoff odds aren’t great. But the odds are good enough not to sell!
Hoping Francis stands pat.
I would move expiring contracts personally. They are unlikely to challenge for the title so continue to build
I agree. But we may know more in another week.
Hardly moves the needle from the NYR side, either. Why eat up crucial cap space with a sub-replacement level offensive contributor?
Agreed. Not the move that they need. RW in my opinion would be the position. I believe Kane fits that salary slot if I’m correct…
Francis went after Yamamoto this past summer and let Sprong walk, He also didn’t address the Seattle blueline, The Kraken are in the worst division in hockey and that won’t help them IF they make the playoffs.
Kraken need to make it so we can play the Canucks in the playoffs!!!
WilfPaiement – (wilf-‘pā-ment) noun
1 a couch-bound hockey fan who knows something about everything
2 a simpleton who is only the smartest person in the room when they are alone
Remember when Columbus bought the guy out a few years ago? Just kicked him to the curb. Jarmo seems to have made a lot of mistakes while he was GM there.
Kraken got worse over the off season for sure. Extend Wenny! Take any offer for Tatar, Bellemare, Yamamoto!
Wennberg wants to go UFA… He’s not going back to Seattle… but thanks for the insight.
Looks like he’s having fun to me. He mentioned he likes speaking Swedish with Burakovsky (presumably Larsson too?). Got a good young center in Matty he could give some advice. That all seems a good fit. Maybe it’s enough, maybe not. I hope he’ll give Seattle another couple years. 2 more with a small raise might be a good start. I think he’s gotten better each season even if he has fewer points. He might like playing with Firkus too if that works out.