Sharks Sign Alexander Wennberg To Three-Year Extension
This afternoon, the Sharks locked up pending free agent center Alexander Wennberg, as first reported by Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now. The team officially announced that the deal is for three years at a $6MM AAV.
Signed to a two-year deal worth $5MM per season in 2024, Wennberg has enjoyed playing a larger role on a lesser team of late. An eventual deal to a top contender was likely in mind, but today’s news indicates that San Jose sees Wennberg as much more than merely a veteran placeholder. In a thin trade market for centers, GM Mike Grier could have added even more futures to his loaded cupboard. Yet, especially given their step forward this season, the Swede will stay with the Sharks for the foreseeable future and help them blossom into a serious contender in the late 2020s. After so much turnaround in recent years, the core is starting to solidify.
At a $6MM price tag through his age-34 season, the figure for Wennberg is indicative of a limited free agent market, especially down the middle. With another forward now erased from the board, Utah’s Nick Schmaltz remains the likely top center available. The 29-year-old is peaking at the right time, with 36 points in 42 games, and would be wise to hit the market with another counterpart now out of the picture.
As for Wennberg, AFP Analytics predicted that he’d be due for a four-year extension worth $4.8MM per season. Therefore, the more favorable three-year term came with an added cost, enough to sway Wennberg away from the open market, and San Jose comfortably has the cap room to do so. Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith remain on their entry-level deals for one more season, and the Sharks will also have Jeff Skinner‘s $3MM coming off the books this summer, along with over $15 million across practically their entire defense core.
Once a high-end prospect for Columbus, Wennberg broke out in 2016-17 with 56 points, seemingly on his path to becoming a high-end offensive top-six driver. Since then, he’s had no more than 38 points in a season, becoming a more defensive center with playmaking ability. He made stops in Florida, Seattle, and New York before coming to San Jose on a generous deal, which helped the rebuilding club fill the void of Logan Couture while reaching the cap floor.
Wennberg posted 35 points in 77 contests last season, but especially with the team playing much better overall, he’s taken a step forward with 26 in 41 games. On most contenders, Wennberg would be a true third-line center, but clearly, he enjoys playing a key role on a dynamic young team, earning more salary to do so. He posts strong defensive and playmaking metrics, proving to be a highly valued supporting piece.
Above the .500 mark at the midway point, San Jose sneaking into the playoffs still seems unlikely, but considering their progress under Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky, the team will be a threat for the duration of Wennberg’s deal. With an abundance of assets and the unique opportunity to overhaul their back end this summer, Grier checks a big box today, with his forward corps mostly sorted out.
Today’s news is a nice morale boost for the group as they return to action on Tuesday, aiming to maintain their playoff push and cap off the rebuild ahead of schedule.
Photo courtesy of Jerome Miron – Imagn Images.
Maple Leafs’ Chris Tanev’s Season In Doubt
This afternoon David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period shared an update on Toronto’s Chris Tanev; the defenseman may miss the remainder of the regular season. Tanev returned to the lineup in late December, appearing in three games. Now, an apparent groin injury which is unrelated to his previous lower-body ailment could end Tanev’s regular season.
Pagnotta noted that Tanev will meet with a surgeon this week to determine if a procedure is needed. If such is the case, he will not be able to return until late April or early May, postseason at best. Given their status in the extremely competitive Eastern Conference, Toronto’s playoff hopes are already uncertain, and even more clouded without their veteran shutdown defender.
Despite today’s speed oriented game, Tanev remains an integral piece when healthy. He and Jake McCabe form one of the league’s best shutdown pairings, and even in his age, Tanev is playing as well as ever, making the ongoing injury issues especially demoralizing.
Nothing will be confirmed for the next few days, but it seems to be a forgone conclusion that Tanev will land on long-term injured reserve, giving much needed cap space for Toronto to pursue outside help. Thankfully, fellow righty Brandon Carlo is thought to be nearing a return, much needed given Tanev’s absence. However, even with Carlo back in the fold, the Leafs are seeking a shake up. Veteran Troy Stecher, claimed off waivers from Edmonton in November, has been a strong fit in Tanev’s role, and the team has found success of late, 4-0-2 in their last six games. Recent results aside though, GM Brad Treliving has been linked to defenseman Rasmus Andersson, going back to their time in Calgary, along with forwards such as Brayden Schenn and Kiefer Sherwood, as reported by The Fourth Period.
Toronto has a long history of adding such players mid-season; the issue is the assets on hand. Treliving has just three owned draft picks for 2026, no better than a third, and no first round choice until 2028. They face the difficulty of having mostly underachieving players as their only trade material. Andersson, who could become a real focus due to today’s Tanev news, has a modified no-trade clause. Even if he’d be willing to waive, and Calgary was satisfied by a player-heavy offer from Toronto, it is a real question if the team should gamble on another trade rental. None over the past few seasons have necessarily panned out, nor stuck around, painting the team into the corner they find themselves at now.
Tanev, 36, is just now in year two of a six year contract worth $4.5MM per season. As it takes him up to age 40, it was not likely the Ontario native would play out the deal, yet for his future to already be in flux was not according to plan. Tanev would expectedly age more gracefully than Jake Muzzin or T.J. Brodie, who found themselves in similar situations, but Treliving was surely not ready to cross such a bridge so soon as now. While the hope is that he could avoid surgery and return sometime in the winter, unfortunately, it may soon be time for Toronto to search for their long-term replacement for a highly respected veteran who has been a warrior over the past 15 years.
Panthers Recall Tobias Bjornfot
Ahead of their game this evening against Colorado, the Florida Panthers announced that defenseman Tobias Björnfot has been recalled from AHL Charlotte. Although official word has yet to be provided, the move suggests that Seth Jones will not play, after his Winter Classic injury. The Panthers had an open roster spot, and no corresponding transaction is required.
The 24-year-old is in his second full season with the Panthers organization, where he has spent most time in the AHL, after being claimed off waivers from Vegas in March of 2024. Björnfot was already called upon earlier this season, in mid October, but did not get into a game, and has yet to debut in the NHL this season.
Selected 22nd overall by Los Angeles in 2019 with the pick acquired from Toronto in the Jake Muzzin deal, Björnfot was thought to be a well-rounded two-way defender with top-four upside. After proving unable to break through with the Kings, he was waived, where the Golden Knights took a flyer. Björnfot had a very short stay there, before finding himself back on the wire, catching on with Florida.
Björnfot’s AHL play has not jumped off the page, but he is the undisputed most NHL capable defensive option in Charlotte, with 134 games at the highest level. Florida offers Donovan Sebrango as their current seventh defender, another lefty, who will likely join the lineup today. A pending RFA, Björnfot figures to be no more than organizational depth at the NHL level, but with Uvis Balinskis and Jeff Petry as pending UFAs, the door may be cracked for him to stick around as a bottom pair option in 2026-27.
In the meantime, it is thought that Jones dodged a more serious injury and should return sometime this week, so Björnfot’s latest stint with the big club is likely brief.
Injury Notes: Rangers, Capitals, Monahan
Colin Stephenson of Newsday Sports reported that Rangers captain J.T. Miller remains in a red no-contact jersey in practice this morning, while fellow forward Noah Laba was also a limited participant, skating on his own.
Miller has been out since December 20 after sustaining a hit versus Philadelphia, injuring his right shoulder. Subsequently, he was forced to miss the Winter Classic. Initially listed as week-to-week, the 32-year-old’s scoring has taken a step backwards so far this season, with 22 points in 35 games and a -11. However, once healthy, the veteran will lean into his imposing style and leadership on Team USA in the upcoming Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, Laba is also week-to-week with an upper-body injury, after taking a hard hit from Tom Wilson on New Year’s Eve. The rookie was an everyday player before the injury, with 12 points in 42 games on Head Coach Mike Sullivan’s third line. In his absence, 35-year-old depth forward Justin Dowling has slotted in from the AHL, getting to make his Rangers debut under the bright lights in Miami.
New York hosts Utah tomorrow night, and will do so without Miller or Laba. It is safe to assume neither will return for another week or so, but the club hopes their resounding Winter Classic win over Florida will kickstart a playoff push in the New Year.
Elsewhere across the league:
- Tarik El-Bashir of Monumental Sports Network provided several injury updates on the Capitals: Tom Wilson is receiving further evaluation, and a better indication on a return time frame should come tomorrow. Aliaksei Protas is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Finally, Justin Sourdif and Jakob Chychrun are absent, but just due to maintenance. Wilson left last night’s game, seeming to suffer an awkward ankle injury. The team desperately hopes he won’t be out long, as the 31-year-old is possibly having his best season yet, in year 13. Wilson has been a force, leading the team with 42 points in 41 games, while still maintaining his usual wrecking ball physicality. Such output is a new level for the veteran who has a career high of 65 points, coming last season. Protas, on the other hand, missed last night’s game, his first absence of the year. The towering power forward has produced right on track with last season’s 30-goal, 66-point breakout, and thankfully, should return quickly. Washington is right back in action tomorrow night, taking on Anaheim at home, where Wilson and Protas’ presence will be watched closely.
- Ahead of today’s matinee action against Pittsburgh, Columbus will be missing Sean Monahan again, as reported by Jeff Svoboda, official team reporter. The center hasn’t played since December 28, with no official injury designation listed, making today his fourth straight game sidelined. Monahan, 31, had a strong campaign in his first as a Jacket last season, posting 57 points in 54 games. Things have not gone as to plan this year, with 19 in 37 contests, as Monahan has rotated at times with fellow veteran Charlie Coyle between second and third line center duties. As noted by Svoboda, the club hopes Monahan can return sometime this week. Currently at the bottom of a very deep Metropolitan Division, the Blue Jackets face an uphill battle to end their five year postseason drought.
Morning Notes: Mangiapane, Sabres, Spitznagel
Last week, we covered reports coming out of Edmonton that the Oilers were looking to move out a few forwards, with Andrew Mangiapane and Noah Philp specifically named as two likely candidates. Philp was claimed off of waivers by the Carolina Hurricanes later that day, while Mangiapane remains on the Oilers’ roster, though he has been a healthy scratch for two of the last three games. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman addressed Mangiapane’s situation last night, saying that the Oilers are “definitely looking” to see if there’s a fit in terms of trading away Mangiapane.
Mangiapane, 29, has five goals and 11 points through 40 games this season. Complicating his odds of being traded is his contract, which carries a $3.6MM cap hit and a term that extends through next season. During his days with the Calgary Flames, Mangiapane was, without question, worth that kind of cap hit. He hit the 40-point mark three times as a Flame, and even managed 35 goals and 55 points in 2021-22. While Friedman did note that some teams view Mangiapane’s contract as a factor that could limit his chances of being traded, he also said that there are others who don’t see that as “a big deal.” It should also be noted that Mangiapane’s contract carries a full no-trade clause until June 15, meaning Mangiapane will need to sign off on any trade before the Oilers can deal him.
Other notes from around the hockey world:
- The Buffalo Sabres’ win streak came to an end last night, and their difficult loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets raised questions about whether the team is in need of defensive reinforcements to help it survive injuries to key players on their back end. The Athletic’s Matthew Fairburn wrote yesterday that the Sabres “don’t have a lot of internal options [head coach Lindy Ruff] trusts.” Fairburn added that as a result, getting additional defensive depth “seems like a clear need that new general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen should be targeting on the trade market.” While it’s unlikely that means the Sabres will be shopping for high-end defensemen such as the Calgary Flames’ Rasmus Andersson, the injury situation in Buffalo does make the team a likelier candidate to pursue some additional defensive depth on the trade market.
- The Michigan Daily’s Matthew Auchincloss reported yesterday that freshman forward Teddy Spitznagel has left the University of Michigan Wolverines program, a development that was later confirmed by the program. Spitznagel spent parts of three seasons with the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks before beginning his NCAA career, winning the Clark Cup last season. McKeen’s Hockey’s Brock Otten commented on Spitznagel’s Michigan departure, noting that Spitznagel could be a candidate to head to the OHL. If he decides to head to the OHL, he would be the second forward in recent years to depart Michigan mid-season to head to the OHL. Christian Humphreys, a 2024 seventh-round selection of the Colorado Avalanche, left Michigan for the OHL after just 10 games played last season. He ended up scoring 33 points in 28 games for the Kitchener Rangers and has 13 goals, 46 points in 33 games there this season.
Metro Notes: Wilson, Zegras, Protas
The Washington Capitals are dealing with a high-level injury concern from their contest against the Chicago Blackhawks tonight. The Capitals announced that forward Tom Wilson is questionable to return after suffering a lower-body injury.
Wilson suffered the injury in the first period of tonight’s contest. Although the specifics of the injury are unknown at this time, Wilson appeared to awkwardly bend his right ankle after being on the receiving end of a reverse hit from Blackhawks’ defenseman Connor Murphy.
It would be a significant blow on a few fronts if Wilson is dealing with a longer-term ailment. He currently leads Washington in scoring with 22 goals and 42 points in 40 games, and was recently named to Team Canada for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics set to take place in February.
Other notes from the Metropolitan Division:
- In his recent mailbag, Kevin Kurz of The Athletic speculated what a potential extension might look like between the Philadelphia Flyers and Trevor Zegras. Without knowing details of hypothetical conversations, Kurz believes that a five-year, $45MM ($9MM AAV) sounds right for Zegras. A five-year extension for Zegras would buy out three years of his UFA-eligibility window, while a $9MM salary would make him the highest-paid forward on the team. Kurz also asserted that an extension between the Flyers and Zegras was inevitable.
- Wilson isn’t the only injured member of the Capitals’ forward core. Before tonight’s puck drops, Washington shared that Aliaksei Protas would miss the game due to a lower-body injury. Protas, 25, is the Capitals’ fifth-highest scorer with 16 goals and 31 points in 41 games with a +21 rating. He was relatively banged up in Washington’s recent loss to the Ottawa Senators, so he may only need a day to rest.
Carolina Hurricanes Reassign Gavin Bayreuther
Shortly before puck drop between the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche, the former shedded a defenseman from their active roster. The Hurricanes announced that they’ve assigned Gavin Bayreuther to the AHL’s Chicago Wolves.
Carolina originally recalled Bayreuther on December 29th as a corresponding move to placing netminder Pyotr Kochetkov on the injured reserve. It was the second time Bayreuther had been brought to the NHL roster this season.
Still, he has yet to be featured in any games for the Hurricanes. To this day, his last playing experience in the sports’ highest league was in the 2022-23 season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, when he scored two goals and 14 points in 51 games.
After spending the entire 2023-24 season with the AHL’s Texas Stars, Bayreuther looked for a different opportunity overseas, signing with the NL’s Lausanne HC. It was a productive year for the 31-year-old blue liner, scoring five goals and 23 points in 52 games with a +5 rating, before returning to North America last summer. He has registered four goals and 13 points in 24 games with the Wolves.
Meanwhile, Bayreuther’s reassignment means that defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere has returned to the Hurricanes’ lineup. He’s missed Carolina’s last three games due to injury. Throughout the year, he’s been a stud for the Hurricanes, scoring four goals and 29 points in 28 games. He joins Zach Werenski and Cale Makar as the only defensemen who have averaged over a point per game this season.
West Injury Notes: Avalanche, Klingberg, Mukhamadullin
Much like he did a few days ago ahead of their road trip through the southeast, Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar provided a few more injury updates this afternoon. Provided by Corey Misiak of The Denver Post, Bednar said that the team is expecting netminder Mackenzie Blackwood and forward Joel Kiviranta to return after the trip.
Additionally, on the positive side of the update, Bedar indicated that although he won’t play tonight, forward Gavin Brindley may return as early as tomorrow against the Florida Panthers. Both Kiviranta and Brindley are dealing with lower-body injuries, though neither is expected to miss too much time.
The news is also good regarding Blackwood. The Avalanche did not initially provide a timeline for his recovery, so a few days missed should not significantly impact their chances on the three-game road trip. Bednar mentioned to Misiak that Blackwood’s injury was discovered at the team’s practice on Thursday.
Other injury notes from the Western Conference:
- The San Jose Sharks were missing blueliner John Klingberg in their blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning today. Before the game, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now shared that Klingberg is dealing with a lower-body issue. The Sharks could have used Klingberg’s offensive capabilities today, as he’s scored nine goals and 16 points in his first 31 games with the club.
- Outside of Klingberg, the Sharks are dealing with another injured defenseman from today’s game. Shortly before the start of the third period, San Jose shared that Shakir Mukhamadullin has exited the game due to injury, without specifying if it was a lower or upper-body issue. The 23-year-old defenseman skated in 5:33 of today’s contest, earning a -3 rating with one blocked shot.
Egor Zamula Suspended In AHL
It appears that some controversy has already started with one of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ recent acquisitions. According to the AHL transactions log, the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have suspended defenseman Egor Zamula.
There’s minimal reporting on Zamula’s status, and the AHL Penguins have yet to announce the decision. Still, regardless of the reasoning behind the suspension, it certainly throws a wrench in the Penguins’ plans after trading for Zamula only three days ago.
Zamula may be continuing to posture that he should be on an NHL roster and is refusing to report to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Shortly before the trade to Pittsburgh, Zamula changed his representation to Dan Milstein of Gold Star Hockey and was considering mutually terminating his contract to explore other opportunities.
Still, refusing to report to the AHL doesn’t necessarily mean that Zamula is unhappy about his newfound home with the Penguins. There may be a potential handshake agreement between Zamula and Pittsburgh for a future recall, but the team is currently unable to implement it. If that’s the case, the AHL Penguins would have to suspend him for failing to report, regardless of any potential agreement.
Although that situation is plausible, it’s unclear how Zamula fits into the Penguins’ roster as currently constructed. The team has seven defensemen on the active roster, with Caleb Jones on the injured reserve. Given how they’ve been playing lately, it wouldn’t make much sense for Pittsburgh to make a change to their defensive core unless they trade a defenseman off the team.
For the sake of his continued development, Zamula and his representation will have to find a longer-term solution sooner rather than later. Despite being healthy this season, he’s only appeared in 13 games for the Flyers and three games for the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Fortunately, even if Zamula is unhappy with a continued stay in the AHL, the Penguins don’t stand to lose much even if he ultimately leaves the organization. Initially, they traded Philip Tomasino for Zamula in the deal with Philadelphia. He has primarily been playing for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season, with limited chances to return to NHL games with the Penguins.
Goalie Notes: Ullmark, Senators, Reimer
In today’s press conference, Ottawa Senators General Manager Steve Staios admitted that there’s no timeline for netminder Linus Ullmark to return from his leave of absence. Ullmark took a personal leave on December 28th and has not played for the Senators since December 27th.
Although some have speculated that Ullmark’s indefinite leave from Ottawa impacted his candidacy for Team Sweden’s roster for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics, a report from Hans Abrahamsson and Viktoria Björklöf explained that wasn’t the case.
That update isn’t entirely surprising given Ullmark’s performance this season. After finishing with a .909 SV% last season, he’s only managed a .881 mark this season. Additionally, according to MoneyPuck, of the 49 netminders that have played 15 or more games this season, Ullmark is in 46th place with a -4.9 Goals Saved Above Expected.
Additional goaltending notes:
- Despite being without Ullmark for the foreseeable future, Staios mentioned in the same press conference that he doesn’t expect to bring in any outside help. It’s a nice sentiment that Staios has confidence in Ottawa’s current goaltending depth, but it’s a bit unfounded. The Senators’ current starter, Leevi Merilainen, has only managed an .872 SV% through 12 games this season, while the duo of Hunter Shepard and Mads Søgaard has combined for a .888 mark for the AHL’s Belleville Senators.
- One veteran netminder who is conceivably available to the Senators is James Reimer. In today’s rendition of 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman shared that Reimer, who is currently an unrestricted free agent, is still looking for a place to play this year and would like to join a contender if possible. Reimer finished with a .896 SV% last season, split between the Anaheim Ducks and Buffalo Sabres, and it’s clear that the Senators still plan on contending this season, which could entice Reimer if they’re interested.