Burning Questions For the 2025-26 Season: Alex Wennberg

With the 2025-26 season now in sight, the plan is to address the burning questions surrounding every player on the roster (or competing for a roster spot). These questions are focused on how the player is expected to contribute to the Sharks this season and what their role will be.

Alex Wennberg
6'2" 190lbs
31 years old
2013 1st round pick

Last Season

San Jose Sharks
77 games, 10 goals, 25 assists, 18:51 TOI

Alex Wennberg signed a two-year deal last summer for $10 million ($5 million AAV). Wennberg started the season as the third line center with Macklin Celebrini and Mikael Granlund in front of him. Wennberg was asked to take a lot of the defensive responsibilities for the Sharks, especially after the Granlund trade.

Wennberg enters the season on the last year of his deal with a 15-team trade list.

Burning Question

What will the bidding for Alex Wennberg look like at the deadline?

Unless the San Jose Sharks make a miracle playoff push this season, Wennberg is the Sharks' best trade piece heading into the deadline. He has a very affordable contract ($2.5 million if the Sharks retain 50%), and teams constantly overpay for middle six forwards at the deadline.

Scott Laughton - 2027 1st round pick
Oliver Bjorkstrand and Yanni Gourde - 2026 1st round pick, 2027 1st round pick, and a 2025 2nd round pick
Mikael Granlund - 2025 1st round pick
Alex Wennberg - 2024 2nd round pick

The Sharks already have two first-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft, their own and the Oilers (Jake Walman trade), and two second-round picks (their own and the Colorado Avalanche). While the Sharks could use the picks, adding as many assets as possible to acquire young, up-and-coming NHL talent should be the strategy.

Expectations

Alex Wennberg should see an improvement in production because the Sharks added more options in the forward group with Jeff Skinner, Philipp Kurashev, and Adam Gaudette. The Sharks should be able to ice a legitimate third line that can add more scoring pop and help drive up the price of Wennberg.

Filip Bystedt and Zack Ostapchuk's development will have a lot to say in how early Wennberg will be on the block. If neither are ready to handle the third line role, Gaudette should be the man tabbed to run the pivot.