New Rangers center Alex Wennberg calls trade 'a dream come true'
Alex Wennberg warms up before a game between the Seattle Kraken and the Florida Panthers at Climate Pledge Arena on December 12, 2023 in Seattle. Credit: Getty Images/Steph Chambers
GREENBURGH — Alex Wennberg was just sitting around at home in Seattle for a couple of days, waiting to be traded, so he had plenty of time to pack. And when he learned his destination Wednesday, he was ready to spring into action.
“I get the call yesterday, finding out I’m going to the Rangers. I mean, it’s the most exciting thing I’ve been a part of,’’ Wennberg said Thursday after practicing with his new team for the first time. “So yeah, I just jumped on the red-eye and got here this morning. So it’s great.’’
Wennberg, 29, was acquired for a second-round pick in 2024 and a conditional fourth-rounder (which originally belonged to Dallas and can become a third-rounder) in 2025. He had a smile on his face throughout his group interview session and called it “a dream come true’’ to be a Ranger.
“For me, coming from a team, Seattle, we’ve been fighting to get in [the playoffs], and now instead, I feel like I can help this team push [to] the playoffs,’’ he said. “I want to win the [Stanley] Cup as well, so I feel like it’s a great opportunity.’’
Peter Laviolette said the coaching staff is “working through’’ what Wennberg’s role will be and added that getting him “gives us a little bit more depth at that position.’’
Laviolette was able to see how and where Wennberg might fit in during Thursday’s practice.
Wennberg, who played on the power play and the penalty-kill units in Seattle, got to practice a little of both on his first day here. In five-on-five drills, he generally slotted between wingers Will Cuylle and Jimmy Vesey.
Wennberg had nine goals, 25 points and an average of 18:49 of ice time in 60 games for Seattle. He said he was mostly used as a defensive forward, one who generally was asked to match up against opposing teams’ top lines as a checking center.
Laviolette said he is intrigued by the possibility of also being able to use him in that role.
“I think it’s really important to have a player or line like that that can be put together and do a specific job,’’ Laviolette said. “He’s more of a versatile player because [when] you watch him out here, he skates really well, he moves really well, his hands are smooth and he’s put up points in his career.
“So for me, he’s more of a two-way forward. But the fact that he has been used in that [checking] role and succeeded in it, I think that’s a plus for us as well.’’
The addition of Wennberg expanded the number of Swedish players in the locker room to four as he joined Mika Zibanejad, Erik Gustafsson and rookie Adam Edstrom. Wennberg played junior hockey on the same Djurgarden team that Zibanejad and Gustafsson played on in Stockholm.
“He’s a great two-way center,’’ Zibanejad said. “Incredibly smart, a really good passer and very loyal to the team in terms of how he works and what he does out there.
“So obviously, the biggest plus is him being a Swede.’’
Notes & quotes: Defenseman Jacob Trouba missed practice with what the Rangers said was a lower-body injury. Laviolette said Trouba’s status is day-to-day.
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
