Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.

The Sharks have signed Alex Wennberg to a contract extension.

Wennberg, 31, was one of the best centers potentially on the NHL trade deadline market. He also was set to be an unrestricted free agent.

But instead, the Sharks have inked Wennberg, just named to the Swedish Olympic team, to a three-year, $18 million extension.

Wennberg, who signed a two-year, $10 million contract with San Jose in the summer of 2024, told the Sharks over the summer that he wanted to come back.

“We loved San Jose from the second we got here,” Wennberg said after the extension’s announcement. “It’s been a good week and it couldn’t have ended it better.”

Wennberg has seven goals and 19 assists, third on the Sharks with 26 points.

But he’s also an ace defensive center.

“He’s an eraser out there, the way he plays,” Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said. “His game structure, his details are some of the best that I’ve been around.”

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