Alexander Wennberg signed a three-year contract extension with the San Jose Sharks on Sunday, marking a shift in the long-term rebuild.

Wennberg’s extension is proof that the Sharks are moving forward in their rebuild plan. They are no longer looking to sell every pending UFA at the NHL’s Trade Deadline. Top center and fellow captain Macklin Celebrini told reporters he’s been bugging Wennberg about when he’ll sign his extension.

“Just so exciting. We’ve been talking for a bit now. I’ve been hounding him when he’s gonna sign,” Celebrini said. “I mean, I’m just excited that he’s staying for three more years.”

Celebrini says the re-signing is definitely GM Mike Grier and the rest of the San Jose Sharks management signalling a step forward in the rebuild.

Hopefully, that is the message. ” It’s tough to let a guy like that go,” Celebrini said. “What he means to our team. The player, but also the person. What he’s meant to us young guys, he’s just been a great role model, great person to us.”

Fellow Swedish San Jose Sharks winger William Eklund echoed the same message as Celebrini. Eklund is placed next to Wennberg in the locker room and has leaned on his experience since he arrived in 2024.

“We’ve talking about it a little bit. It’s always fun with a guy like that earns an extension like he did. I really think he did,” Eklund said. “He obviously wanted to stay, and he did a hell of a job to make them want him to stay.

“It feels good for us, too. We’re building something around here. We want to keep guys around, and I think that’s a huge thing for, myself that he is around.”

One of the most prominent leaders for the San Jose Sharks is Tyler Toffoli. Toffoli says that the Sharks’ re-signing Wenneberg also applies pressure to the locker room to continue their strong season. Despite that pressure, Toffoli says it is fun to be part of.

“It’s pressure on everybody, and I think it’s good pressure,” Toffoli said. “Like I said, we are fighting for a playoff spot. It’s been a lot of fun being a part of it this season, and we just got to keep pushing.”

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