BREAKING NEWS: Rangers To Land Another veteran center in wake of major injury
With Filip Chytil sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a concussion and placed on LTIR, there has been speculation about the New York Rangers seeking to bolster their center depth ahead of the playoffs. Recent reports suggest the Rangers are indeed exploring options, with interest directed towards Alexander Wennberg of the Seattle Kraken.
Wennberg, 29, is in the final year of his contract with a $4.5 million AAV. Given his impending unrestricted free agency this summer, he fits the Rangers’ desire for a short-term addition while maintaining flexibility in cap space, especially if Chytil is expected to return next season as planned.
Though Wennberg’s production this season (eight goals, 14 assists in 56 games) is slightly below his previous seasons with Seattle, he’s recognized more for his two-way play rather than being a significant offensive threat. His role in Seattle’s penalty-killing unit could further fortify the Rangers’ already stout penalty kill, which currently ranks sixth in success rate.
However, the rental center market is sparse following recent trades, increasing demand for players like Wennberg. This could drive up the cost for his services, particularly if Seattle decides to sell closer to the trade deadline. As they are within striking distance of a playoff spot, GM Ron Francis may opt to retain their rentals.
Currently, the Rangers have approximately $4.4 million in full-season LTIR space according to CapFriendly. While they could create more room by demoting a player, it’s likely they’ll seek the Kraken to retain a significant portion of Wennberg’s salary. This would inevitably raise the asking price from Seattle’s perspective.
With the trade deadline looming just two weeks away, teams still have time to determine their buying or selling stance. The Rangers and others will closely monitor Seattle’s decisions regarding Wennberg and other expiring veterans like Jordan Eberle, Tomas Tatar, and Justin Schultz. Failure to sell could exacerbate the scarcity of available centers in the market.