After Macklin Celebrini was named to Team Canada earlier this week, the Sharks will have another Olympian headed to Milan in February as veteran center Alex Wennberg was named to Team Sweden.
Wennberg has been a crucial piece for the 2025-26 Sharks, who find themselves in a wild-card spot halfway through the year. Wennberg has 7 goals and 26 points in 40 games, averaging 20:35 minutes per game, 3 seconds more ice time than Celebrini to lead all Sharks forwards. This is thanks to Wennberg's ability on the penalty kill, where Celebrini is scarcely used.
Wennberg’s calling card is his defensive game. While he is ok offensively and usually good for 30+ points per 82 games, he has been the Sharks' go-to center against opposing teams' top line and has done a good job in the role, even if he can be overmatched at times. It's easy to see him as a bottom-six fixture for Sweden down the middle or on the wing.
Wennberg is a pending UFA, so depending on how the Sharks approach the deadline, it's possible Wennberg gets moved before the break, similar to Granlund last season, but given where they are, it’s more likely they could look to extend Wennberg.
William Eklund, who was also viewed as a potential candidate to crack Sweden's final roster, was left off the roster. Eklund wouldn't have been competing with Wennberg for a role on the team, as they play different styles, but it is disappointing he missed the cut. Eklund could be among a group of alternates Sweden could look to should injuries happen before the tournament.
He was likely hurt by the unfortunate injury he suffered during the World Championships last summer, which prematurely ended his chance to play for Sweden in the tournament, and he has also been slowed by an injury sustained this season.
Nonetheless, the Sharks will have at least 2 Olympians, with Kurashev and Regenda, who could be announced for Switzerland and Slovakia, respectively, at a later date.