TAMPA, Fla. - New Yorkers take their food very seriously, with few groups as protective of their culinary traditions as the Italian-Americans in the region.
Here, Alex Wennberg's habit of putting ketchup on his pasta − which the Seattle Kraken shared on their social media account days before dealing him to the Rangers − is considered a grave offense.
"You saw that, too?" the 29-year-old forward asked with a grin following Thursday's morning skate at Amalie Arena. "That’s why I got traded."
Wennberg, who hails from Stockholm, Sweden, called it "the most typical Swedish thing ever." But in a relieving moment for the entire tri-state area, one the newest Rangers said he's ditched the objectionable practice since his arrival.
"I didn't know it was an issue until I showed up here," he added with a laugh. "I actually stopped doing that because it rubs people the wrong way."
You could say Wennberg is a man who knows his role and quickly adapts to his surroundings.
He's already settled into a new home in the New York suburbs, with his wife, Felicia, who's 38 weeks pregnant, and young son, while using this three-game road trip to get to know many of his new teammates. (He noted he's been checking his phone frequently for "emergency calls," with Felicia fast-approaching her due date.)
Those are character traits that also translate well to the ice.
As the Rangers scoured the trade market for a third-line center, the 6-foot-2, 190-pounder emerged as an appealing target because he's a committed defensive forward with a diverse skill set that allows him to be deployed in almost any situation.
He recognizes the value in that versatility and willingly puts his ego aside to do whatever is asked of him.
"It's a lot of effort behind it, so I feel like that's something that's been growing through years," Wennberg said. "Maybe back in the day, you wanted to score a little bit more goals. But at the end of the day, it's all about (helping) the team win. I feel like that helped me find what works for me."
That maturation process began as a teenager playing at the highest level of the Swedish Hockey League and continued when he landed with the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he spent the early years of his career being coached by the demanding John Tortorella.
Even in Seattle, where he was selected by the Kraken in the 2021 expansion draft, Wennberg found himself in what he described as a system that was "more about structure and playing solid defensively."
Those experiences helped shaped him into what Rangers coach Peter Laviolette called "a real good two-way centerman."
"He still puts up offensive numbers," Laviolette added. "But he's pretty responsible in a defensive zone and he can really steady a line."
That's exactly what Wennberg has done through his first three games with the Blueshirts.
Laviolette put young forwards Will Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko on the veteran's wings and threw them into the fire, often against opposing team's top lines, with that trio out-shooting St. Louis, New Jersey and Carolina by a combined 20-7 margin, according to Natural Stat Trick. The Rangers won all three contests, allowing only one total goal.
"They've given us some good stability as a line," Laviolette said. "They’re generating positive numbers, scoring chances. I think they've played really well. I think the lines, in general, have been good for the last few games. We feel good about the way we're playing right now, especially since (Wennberg and Jack Roslovic) got here."
Takeaways:Shesterkin shutout helps Rangers add cushion in Metro
Having a reliable third line has taken some pressure off New York's top-six forwards while allowing Laviolette to roll all four lines more freely. That depth will be critical with the playoffs just about a month away.
It's not only about their defense, either. Cuylle, Wennberg and Kakko have yet to score a goal at five-on-five (Wennberg assisted Kakko's power-play goal against the Blues), but all three are capable. They've produced a few memorable offensive possessions that came painfully close.
Wennberg, who has a career average of 0.48 points per game, called it "a great start," while noting how well the three forwards with differing skill sets complement each other.
"It feels like a good chemistry," he said. "Kakko is so skillful with the puck. The way he moves around, you can see he makes small (area) plays and all that. And then you’ve got Cuylle. He's going net front. He has a good shot, as well."
Wennberg's combo of speed, defense and quick hands have made a noticeable difference, but he believes his hockey IQ is his most valuable contribution to his new line.
"I feel like my biggest strength is trying to be smart out there reading the plays," he said. "I have a decent shot. I’m a pretty good skater, but I feel like just reading the plays and all that is really my strength. That's what I've tried to do."
That situational awareness made Wennberg one of the go-to matchup guys in Seattle, where he led all Kraken forwards in average time on ice this season at 18:49 per game.
He won't be used quite as much on a loaded Rangers' team, but he seems fine with that. He knows he'll still draw some of the most difficult assignments while giving their bottom six a much-needed boost.
That's helped lengthen their lineup while putting him in a spot he seems tailor made for. And if he continues to make this kind of impact, even stubborn New Yorkers may give him a pass on the ketchup-on-pasta thing. (Maybe.)
"I feel like I'm kind of a guy who adjusts and finds your role and tries to make the best out of it," Wennberg said. "If you need me to play a certain way, I'm going to try to play that way."
NY Rangers (43-18-4) projected lineup: Game 66 at TB Lightning (34-25-6)
When: Thursday, Mar. 14 at 7 p.m.
Where:Amalie Arena in Tampa
TV/Radio:MSG Network/1050 AM
Forwards
Top line⊳ Chris Kreider (LW) ⋄ Mika Zibanejad (C) ⋄ Jack Roslovic (RW)
Second line⊳ Artemi Panarin (LW) ⋄ Vincent Trocheck (C) ⋄ Alexis Lafrenière (RW)
Third line⊳ Will Cuylle (LW) ⋄ Alex Wennberg (C) ⋄ Kaapo Kakko (RW)
Fourth line⊳ Jimmy Vesey (LW) ⋄ Barclay Goodrow (C) ⋄ Jonny Brodzinski (RW)
Defensem*n
Top pair⊳ Ryan Lindgren (L) ⋄ Adam Fox (R)
Second pair⊳ K'Andre Miller (L) ⋄ Braden Schneider (R)
Third pair⊳ Zac Jones (L) ⋄ Erik Gustafsson (R)
Goalies
Starter⊳ Igor Shesterkin
Backup⊳ Jonathan Quick
Healthy scratch:D Chad Ruhwedel
Suspended: F Matt Rempe (second out of four games)
Injured: D Jacob Trouba (lower body)
Long-term injured reserve:F Filip Chytil (upper body) and F Blake Wheeler (lower body)
Vincent Z. Mercogliano is the New York Rangers beat reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Read more of his work atlohud.com/sports/rangers/and follow him on Twitter@vzmercogliano.
