NEW JERSEY – According to multiple reports, the Vancouver Canucks have shown interest in potentially trading for San Jose Sharks center Alexander Wennberg.
It is no secret that the Canucks are in desperate need of help down the middle after second-line center Filip Chytil was injured after a hit by Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson.
Per David Pagnotta, the Canucks have shown interest in three players, including the Sharks’ Wennberg.
“While a move is not yet believed to be imminent, Canucks GM Patrik Allvin is scouring the market for help at the dot, and Wennberg is considered an option. Though he is not the only player the Canucks are believed to have checked in on,” Pagnotta writes.
The NHL insider also suggests that Boston Bruins centers Pavel Zacha or Casey Mittelstadt could be options for the Canucks.
Wennberg signed a two-year $10 million contract with the San Jose Sharks during the 2024 off-season. The Sharks gave the Swedish centerman trade protection when he signed. Wennberg had a full no-move clause in 24-25, but now his protections shift to a 15-team no-trade list.
At this moment, it is unclear who is on Wennberg’s no-trade list, or whether the Sharks have even asked him to submit it.
The Sharks won’t make this type of trade this early in the season
It is still way too early in the season for GM Mike Grier to even think about trading his second-line center. Questions remain about top prospect Michael Misa and his chances of staying in the NHL this season.
Misa has played in four games for the Sharks this season and isn’t eligible for the AHL. Once he plays his ninth game this season, Grier will need to decide where Misa will play.
If the Sharks dress Misa for a 10th game, they can no longer slide his ELC one season, as he can no longer be sent back to Juniors. Until this is known, don’t expect the Sharks to move any centers.
Wennberg has also earned the trust of head coach Ryan Warsofsky. Evidence of this was shown in the 6-5 OT win over the New York Rangers on Friday. Instead of starting hat-trick scorer Macklin Celebrini and eventual Sharks hero Will Smith, Warsofsky put Wennberg on the ice for the opening shift of overtime.
Celebrini and Smith had been part of the mistakes made in the Sharks’ two previous overtime games this season. He sent a message while still saying Wennberg’s play was also a reason why they started him.
Vancouver’s President of Hockey Operations, Jim Rutherford, is known for allowing trade interests to leak to the media. This type of rumor, especially given the Canucks injuries and playoff aspirations, shouldn’t come as a surprise to the die-hard hockey fan.
Despite the 1-4-2 record, the San Jose Sharks are hoping to be more competitive this season. Trading Wennberg at the very beginning of the season would significantly hinder that.
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