DEFENSIVE ANCHOR: San Jose Sharks’ Alex Wennberg SHINES Amid Role Shift and Exceeds Expectations

San Jose Sharks' Alex Wennberg emerges as a defensive force, but can he sustain his impact without William Eklund on his wing? With Wennberg anchoring tough minutes and shutting down elite opposition, the Sharks’ center posted one of his most efficient and underrated seasons—earning a multi-year contract extension as San Jose surged into the playoff mix. JD Young breaks down Wennberg’s evolving role, the analytics behind his shutdown success, and how the Sharks might replicate Eklund’s playmaking next to the veteran center. Insightful analysis covers line combination possibilities—including rookie Ivar Stenberg—and the future balance between Wennberg, Macklin Celebrini, and Michael Misa down the middle. Will Wennberg thrive with less offensive help and a slightly reduced workload? Get the full strategic outlook on the Sharks’ depth chart shakeup and what it means for their playoff push.