It is that time of year again. Players kept off the ice to make sure they are fully healthy trade options, especially with just a few days left before the NHL Trade Deadline.
On Monday, Seattle Kraken head coach David Hakstol told the media that forward Alexander Wennberg was held out of morning skate, and is unavailable for the team’s game against the Calgary Flames, due to “trade-related issues.”
Wennberg has been playing well in his third season in Seattle, and is producing a higher rate than in the first two seasons with the Kraken. In 60 games, the 29-year-old has scored nine goals and 16 assists, and is on pace to surpass his 38-point total from the 2022-23 campaign – given he does not miss too many games before being traded.
The Stockholm native is in the final season of a three-deal that he signed with the Kraken in July 2021. It carries a $4.5 million cap hit, but does include a modified no-trade clause, where Wennberg has submitted a 10-team no-trade list.
There is no question the former Columbus Blue Jacket would make a great addition to any team making a playoff push. While obviously showing he can add secondary scoring, the former Florida Panther is competent in his own zone and is solid in the faceoff circle.
If Wennberg were to be moved, it would be the first time he has been traded in his career.
This could be a sign that the Kraken is choosing to offload players, as their playoff hopes continue to dwindle. Seattle (26-23-11) is sixth in the Pacific Division, 10 points back of the Vegas Golden Knights for third, and nine behind the Nashville Predators for the last Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.
The practice of holding a player out of the lineup for “trade-related purposes” was popularized last season when former Arizona Coyote Jakob Chychrun was kept out of game action for weeks before eventually being dealt to the Ottawa Senators. It will be interesting to see if this becomes a domino effect in the final few days before Friday’s deadline.
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