Wennberg traded to the NYR

[Brewin Flames]

Wennberg traded to Rangers by Kraken for 2 draft picks

© Mitchell Leff/ Getty Images

ByNHL.com

@NHLdotcom

4:18 PM

Alex Wennberg was traded to the New York Rangers by the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday for two draft picks.

 

Seattle, which retained 50 percent of Wennberg's contract, received a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, previously acquired from the Dallas Stars.

 

The pick will become a third-round selection if Dallas defenseman Nils Lundkvist, who was acquired from New York prior to last season, finishes with 55 combined points between last season and this season.

 

Wennberg is in the final season of a three-year, $13.5 million contract ($4.5 million average annual value) he signed with the Kraken on July 28, 2021, and can become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

 

The 29-year-old forward has 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists) in 60 games this season. He was scratched from a 4-2 win against the Calgary Flames on Monday and a 4-3 win against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday because of trade-related reasons.

 

"We want to thank Alex for his contribution to the Kraken over these last three seasons," Kraken general manager Ron Francis said. "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."

 

Chosen by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round (No. 14) of the 2013 NHL Draft, Wennberg has 330 points (90 goals, 240 assists) in 693 regular-season games for the Blue Jackets and Kraken, and 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in 42 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

 

The Rangers (40-18-4) lead the Metropolitan Division, six points ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes.

 

The Kraken (28-23-11) are six points behind the Nashville Predators for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Western Conference.