(Photo : (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JANUARY 01: Alex Wennberg #21 of the Seattle Kraken walks towards the ice previous to the sport towards the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Park on January 01, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.
With the NHL Trade Deadline approaching, Seattle Kraken middle Alexander Wennberg may very well be of curiosity to contending groups in want of assist down the center.
The commerce market on facilities has already begun to maneuver, with Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan heading to Vancouver and Winnipeg, respectively.
Those had been the highest two names on the sport’s most important skating place obtainable, and groups with wants on the pivot must look elsewhere, which is the place Wennberg may turn into a sizzling commodity on deadline day.
Other obtainable facilities like Adam Henrique and Nic Dowd are both a bit too costly (Henrique) or not the identical type of participant (Dowd).
The Kraken are within the thick of the playoff race, however it’s been a disappointing season total in Seattle after making it to Game 7 of the second spherical a yr in the past. While the group is in it, they don’t seem to be overly prone to make it in and an extended shot to do something significant in the event that they do.
That may pressure basic supervisor Ron Francis’ hand in the case of promoting off gamers like Wennberg, because the Kraken may use this chance to pad out what’s already a stacked farm system.
Related Article: NHL Trade Deadline: Capitals C Nic Dowd
NHL Trade Deadline: Alex Wennberg
Contract Situation: Expires after this season at a cap hit of $4.5 million
Season Stats: 8 objectives and 15 assists for 23 factors in 58 video games
Possible Destinations: Boston, Toronto, Colorado, Philadelphia, New York Rangers
It’s extraordinarily simple to see a bidding battle forming right here that ends with the Kraken having a proposal on the desk that they may not refuse.
The Eastern Conference is loaded this season, and two of the highest contenders within the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins are each in dire want of middle assist.
The Rangers specifically have a gaping gap on the third-line middle spot, and a passing-specialist like Wennberg may do wonders for a few of their gifted younger depth wingers like Kappo Kakko.
The veteran middle has made a dwelling in that type of vary as a high-end third line middle and a serviceable second liner, and that type of participant could make an enormous distinction in a playoff collection if utilized correctly.
Beyond Boston and New York, the Colorado Avalanche have been struggling to search out solutions at middle behind Nathan MacKinnon, and so they noticed what a great acquisition on the place can do once they received the Cup with Nazem Kadri behind MacKinnon in 2022.
Wennberg is not of the caliber that Kadri was, however he is adequate that he may make an enormous distinction for a group that would actually simply use a stable participant there.
There’s additionally the Philadelphia Flyers, who in all probability would favor to be sellers on the deadline however may very well be compelled so as to add to their roster as a consequence of the truth that they’re coping with vital accidents and that they are very prone to make the playoffs.
The Flyers maintain the third-place spot within the Metropolitan Division, and so they may very well be caught by Pittsburgh or New Jersey, however the Devils and Penguins have confirmed incapable of stringing collectively any significant runs, which may get the Flyers in by default.
Read More: NHL Trade Deadline: Ducks C Adam Henrique
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