Favorite Emerges Among 4 Contenders In Impending Wennberg Trade

There was many an eyebrow raised when the Seattle Kraken held center Alex Wennberg out of their lineup during Monday night’s 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames for what was termed “trade-related reasons.” 

As we learned today, a deal hasn't yet been confirmed for the impending unrestricted free agent. However, insider Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff does say that the Kraken have enough solid discussions ongoing to know that a deal will be struck, it's just a matter of to where, and when, before Friday at 3 PM Eastern.

He then goes on to name four teams that are involved in the talks, as follows: 

• New York Rangers
• Colorado Avalanche
• Boston Bruins
• Florida Panthers

Fellow insider Elliotte Friedman adds that he's heard, “It sounds like the Rangers are favourites here.” Wennberg, who has nine goals and 25 points in 60 games this season for the Kraken, has long been linked to the Rangers. 

As for the Avalanche, they are in need of a center. "He checks the box in Colorado because they place significant value to high IQ players and Wennberg is that," says Seravalli. "A smart player to add to your team and he has been pretty consistent as well".

In Boston, their need to add to their center depth has been an ongoing topic of discussion this season, and they got a scare when top-six pivot Pavel Zacha went down to injury early in Saturday's game, though he did return to play Monday night. 

As for the Panthers, they've been linked to a few offensive upgrades as we approach the trade deadline, not the least of which, a certain sniper out of Ottawa, and they seem to have an edge there. But Wennberg, though nowhere near the goal-scorer that Vladimir Tarasenko is, did set a career-high with 17 markers in his one season in Florida, in 2020-21. 

Whichever way it goes, it appears that Wennberg has put on a Kraken uniform for the last time this season.

Photo: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports