Alex Wennberg Looking Forward To Mentor Role With Sharks

Free agent acquisition Alex Wennberg will take on a mentorship role with the San Jose Sharks this season and welcomes it with open arms.

The 29-year-old signed a two-year contract with an AAV of $5 million, which some may view as a slight overpayment. Even if the cap hit is high, the Sharks had plenty of cap space and needed to reach the cap floor.

Related: BREAKING: Sharks Sign Alexander Wennberg To Two-Year, $10 Million Contract

Wennberg does have some trade protections in his deal, including a full no-trade clause during the first year.

But why did San Jose sign the Swede? Some view the signing as insurance for another long-term injury absence for Logan Couture. It can also be considered a way for the slew of top-tier centermen prospects to learn the NHL.

"I look forward to it. I feel like [it goes] two ways as well," Wennberg said. "I feel like, as an older player right now, I'm still 29, but for me to see those young guys coming in, to have such a skill and their talent, I feel like you can teach them a few things. I feel like it could be the same the other way around."

During their run to the Eastern Conference Final, Wennberg played a pivotal third-line center role for the New York Rangers last season. The centerman said that getting so close to the Stanley Cup Final only made him want it more.

Wennberg understands many centermen are on the roster already, but he views that as a plus.

"I always say it's a good thing to have two centers on a line. At the end of the day, someone starts as a center, but the game of hockey is so quick, and if you start as a center and then end up as a wing, I feel like that's something good because then you can feed off each other and help each other out," Wennberg explained.

With young centers like Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, players like Wennberg and Mikael Granlund will help develop future Sharks stars.

Wennberg has 712 games of NHL experience. His career started with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Wennberg named a few players who mentored him during his time there.

"There were so many good guys. Cam Atkinson, Matt Calvert, Nick Foligno was a really good captain as well. Boone Jenner took me in and helped me out as well," Wennberg said. "I'm going into year 11. Through the years, there's been so much advice and so many guys who have had influence. If there's just someone you can help out a little bit or give some piece of advice to help them improve, I feel like that's something you're looking forward to. You try to pay it forward a little bit for what other guys did to me."

Make sure you bookmark THN's San Jose Sharks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

Six Sharks On The Athletic's Top 100 Drafted Prospects; Celebrini Tops Rankings

Joe Pavelski Officially Retires; Confirms He Spoke With Sharks

BREAKING: Sharks Re-Sign RFA Brandon Coe

Sharks Named 3rd Most Liked Team In JFresh Poll

Former Sharks Defenseman Gets Second Chance In The NHL After Three Years In Sweden

Sharks Fan Mailbag: Answering Your Offseason Questions

• Follow Max on Twitter: @ Real_Max_Miller