BREAKING: NHL Team Benches Top Player Due to Trade Related Reasons

It turns out, it's none other than forward Alex Wennberg.

He's in the final season of his current contract, pulling in $4.5 million per season. This year, he's been holding it down as the Kraken's 2nd/3rd line center, racking up 25 points in 60 games.

Now, here's where it gets juicy: the New York Rangers have their eyes on Wennberg.

However, Wennberg has a 10-team no-trade clause, so he's got some say in where he ends up.

Should the Kraken end up retaining part of Wennberg's salary in any trade, he'd be cashing checks from three different teams. Seattle, the Columbus Blue Jackets (his former team), and whoever scoops him up would all be ponying up the money.

The Blue Jackets still have two more seasons to pay him on his buyout. Looks like Wennberg's got quite the financial situation on his hands. He instantly became the coveted target ahead of Friday's trade deadline after Tommy Novak signed a 3 year, $10.5 million extension with the Nashville Predators this morning. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story!