In the market for both a third-line centre and a first-line right-winger, the Rangers landed one of their needs Wednesday. New York acquired forward Alexander Wennberg from the Seattle Kraken in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fourth-round pick. The pick in 2025 has the potential to be a third-round selection if Dallas Stars defenceman Nils Lundkvist reaches 55 points. Wennberg, a former first-round pick back in 2013, has 9 goals, and 16 assists, totaling to 25 points in 60 games played. Moreover, the Rangers will be Wennberg’s fourth NHL franchise, having spent time with the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Florida Panthers, and the Kraken recently. Meanwhile, Wennberg will don jersey number 91 which was last worn by the now-Florida Panther Vladimir Tarasenko. Wennberg now shares the number with former Blueshirt and fellow countryman Markus Naslund.
An Analysis on Wennberg as a Third-Line Centre for the Blueshirts
Wednesday began with deals galore. Teams must have thought that the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline was yesterday. Players were being dealt left and right from the early afternoon to the late evening. Chris Drury made his first move of the deadline, landing Wennberg, who many predicted to end up in New York. Drury was in the market for a depth centre from the very beginning. With Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan having already been dealt Wennberg was a more realistic option for New York. The need was in the bottom six and Wennberg has fluctuated between the second and third line in his career.
A Third-Line Centre Fills A Need
Entering the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, the New York Rangers had two needs: a top winger and a depth centre. After the two previously mentioned trades, the market for centremen is slim-to-none. Nevertheless, the Rangers found their guy in the form of Alexander Wennberg. He is a solid two-way centre who can be a facilitator when called upon. Since the injury to Filip Chytil, there seemed to be a hole to fill on the third line for New York. Wennberg is now who fills that void at 3C and has the potential to be an integral depth player come playoff time.
Wennberg is an improvement to the middle six of Peter Laviolette‘s lineup. Therefore, a perfect spot for him is centring a line in between two young forwards. The names William Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko come to mind. In other words, signs are pointing to Drury still having some tricks left up his sleeve. If the plan is to acquire a top-six winger, Kakko will slide down to the third line and become a scoring force with a centre like Wennberg to feed him the puck.
What’s Next For Chris Drury?
Finally, do not expect Chris Drury to be done just yet. Reports are indicating that New York is still interested in acquiring that desired first-line right-winger. New York is interested in a list of names that include Pavel Buchnevich, Frank Vatrano, and Alex Tuch.
New York should look to acquire a winger without any remaining term on his contract. Therefore, this would rule out Vatrano and Tuch. The organization is adamant about not wanting to give up their first-round pick in the 2024 draft. Also, prospects Gabe Perreault and Brennan Othmann remain to be untouchable.
The next 24 hours are, believe it or not, a make-or-break period for the Rangers. Teams like the Florida Panthers and the Vegas Golden Knights have improved drastically. However, the Metropolitan Division is right there for the taking. Carolina has been awfully quiet, which seems to be the only team standing in between a division title for New York. This is a time to pounce, yet Drury will continue to search for the best deal possible. With that being said, buckle up, Rangers fans.
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