General manager Ron Francis didn’t wait until trade deadline day to make a deal with Alex Wennberg, a Kraken original who signed as a free agent on the first day of the 2021 free agency period and delivered big minutes as a center between top-six forwards plus heavy duties on the penalty-kill and power-play units. Wennberg heads to the New York Rangers in exchange for NYR’s 2024 second-round draft pick and a conditional fourth-rounder in 2025.
“We want to thank Alex for his contribution to the Kraken over these last three seasons,” said Francis Wednesday. “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.”
In the hands of Francis and Kraken hockey operations group, especially director of amateur scouting director Robert Kron and his staff, an additional second-round pick is valuable. Just a quick proof case: 2021 second-rounder David Goyette leads the Ontario Hockey League in scoring while fellow 2021 second-round pick Ryker Evans played 18-plus minutes and notched the primary assist on a third-period tying goal Tuesday night in the thrilling 4-3 road win at Winnipeg.
There’s more second-round potential: 2022 draft choice Jagger Firkus leads the Western Hockey League in goals and overall points while 2023 second-rounder Carson Rehkopf leads the OHL in scoring. Both Firkus and Rehkopf hit the magic number of 50 goals over the weekend, an achievement only a handful of players hit each season in the WHL and OHL combined. Even the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, known as a scorers’ league, produces no more than a half dozen or less each season.
Wennberg will be missed by Kraken coaches, teammates, and fans, no doubt. He was seemingly tireless during his shifts and heads to New York with a skill set that ranges from deft passing and playmaking to a sneaky-good net presence/flash-screen repertoire to up-ice speed that is high-end on an NHL roster.
On the score sheet, Wennberg was a steady performer for Seattle, netting 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists) in the inaugural season and 38 points (13 G, 25 A) last regular season plus two goals and five assists in two rounds of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This season, Wennberg has notched nine goals and 16 assists, including a goal and assist in last Thursday’s home 2-0 shutout over Pittsburgh. He did not play on this week’s road pending this trade move.
One highlight among Wennberg’s formidable contributions: He scored nine game-winning goals over the three regular seasons in Kraken blue, including four this year. He also scored a game-winner in last spring’s playoffs.
