Sharks Lament Wennberg's Absence in Loss to Senators

Young Sharks struggle with poise and execution without veteran center's calming presence

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:34am

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The San Jose Sharks missed the steadying influence of veteran center Alex Wennberg in their 7-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators, as the team's young players struggled with poise and execution in key moments. Collin Graf's turnover led to the go-ahead goal for the Senators, highlighting the Sharks' difficulties in reacting properly to mistakes, an area where Wennberg typically excels.

Why it matters

The Sharks' loss to the Senators underscores the value of veteran leadership and poise, especially for a young team trying to develop consistency. Wennberg's absence was felt as the Sharks failed to maintain composure after mistakes, leading to a sloppy defeat.

The details

In the decisive play, Graf's turnover was followed by poor defensive coverage, allowing the Senators to take the lead. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky acknowledged that Wennberg, who was a surprise scratch due to an injury, is one of the team's best players and his calming presence was missed. The Sharks struggled to break out the puck effectively, an area Warsofsky said they need to improve ahead of their next game against the Oilers.

  • The Sharks lost 7-4 to the Senators on March 15, 2026.
  • Wennberg suffered an upper-body injury in the previous game against the Montreal Canadiens.

The players

Alex Wennberg

A 31-year-old veteran center for the San Jose Sharks who is known for his poise and defensive awareness.

Collin Graf

A young Sharks player whose turnover led to the go-ahead goal for the Senators.

Ryan Warsofsky

The head coach of the San Jose Sharks who acknowledged the team's struggles without Wennberg.

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What they’re saying

“You make a mistake, you try to correct it immediately, and then, you just compound it.”

— Collin Graf (sanjosehockeynow.com)

“I thought [Philipp Kurashev] did a good job stepping in there, but let's be honest, Wenny is one of our best players. So anytime you lose one of your best players, you suffer a little bit.”

— Ryan Warsofsky, Head Coach (sanjosehockeynow.com)

“Bittersweet, but during it, it was pretty surreal, it's been a long time coming, and more grateful and appreciate being out there than I ever have.”

— Laurent Brossoit (sanjosehockeynow.com)

What’s next

The Sharks will look to bounce back when they face the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

The takeaway

The Sharks' loss to the Senators highlighted the importance of veteran leadership and poise, especially for a young team. Wennberg's absence was felt as the Sharks struggled to maintain composure after mistakes, an area where the veteran center typically excels. This game serves as a lesson for the Sharks on the value of experienced players who can steady the team in difficult moments.