Earlier today, the Rangers made a move before the trade deadline to help improve their roster.

They acquired Alex Wennberg from the Kraken in exchange for a 2024 second round pick and a fourth round conditional pick. By adding Wennberg, they bolstered their center depth. An area that had to be addressed due to the loss of Filip Chytil for the season.

A 29-year-old veteran who’s spent a decade in the NHL with the Blue Jackets, Panthers, and Kraken, Wennberg is considered a solid two-way center capable of adding secondary scoring.

In 60 games for the Kraken, he had nine goals and 16 assists for 25 points this season. Wennberg has scored double-digit goals in four different seasons, including the last three. He put up 17 with the Panthers in 2020-21. He had 13 in 2021-22 and 11 in 2022-23 for the Kraken. When he joins the Rangers, Wennberg needs one goal to make it five seasons in double figures.

He can play on the power play and penalty kill. The more likely scenario is that Wennberg will be added to the Rangers’ penalty killing unit. For his career, he has three shorthanded goals, including one this season with the Kraken.

Wennberg is a strong checking player who’ll win puck battles. He’s a plus-22 in takeaways (40) and giveaways (18). He also will sacrifice for the cause. Wennberg has 65 blocked shots this season.

In adding a capable player who should be an ideal fit in the top nine, the Rangers will have more scoring balance. Wennberg can slot in and center the third line. If Will Cuylle is the left wing, we don’t know who will play the right side. That might be Jimmy Vesey. Vesey could move down to the checking line and play with Barclay Goodrow and either Matt Rempe or Adam Edstrom.

Another possibility is that Rangers coach Peter Laviolette might opt to play Goodrow up on the third line. He’s a better faceoff option than Wennberg, who checks in at 46.2 percent over his career. He’s won 46.7 in 2023-24. Goodrow has won 54 percent this season.

As much as some fans gripe about Goodrow’s lack of production due to his $3.64 million cap hit, that isn’t the role he plays on the roster. Goodrow is a valuable checking forward who’s reliable on the penalty kill. He provides a lot of grit and intangibles, such as finishing checks and blocking shots. He’s also an ornery player who can agitate opponents. That’s always needed in a long playoff series.

One question that’ll be on people’s minds is what happens to Adam Edstrom and Matt Rempe. Jonny Brodzinski has been a good player. He filled in admirably on the third line, forming solid chemistry with Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko. The latter has seen some time with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider on the top line. It hasn’t clicked. It remains to be seen what the organization will decide regarding Kakko.

Given how well Edstrom and Rempe have played on the fourth line, neither deserves to be the odd man out. They provide a unique combination of size, strength, and physicality to a roster that needs it.

When the Rangers resume play on Saturday, we’ll know by then if they made any more key additions. They’re in the market for a scoring right wing.

Unless they’re willing to overpay for Jake Guentzel, who’s about to be shipped out of Pittsburgh, other possibilities include a reunion with Frank Vatrano or possibly Kraken forward Jordan Eberle. If Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek really wants a first round pick along with a top prospect for Vatrano, I’d pass. The ask might be Kakko, too. I don’t feel Vatrano is worth it.

Eberle would probably be cheaper. He knows how to play and has postseason experience. He actually could be a nice fit on the top line. They need someone who can score goals and get their nose dirty. Eberle isn’t shy about that.

If there’s an area that’s been overlooked, it’s the Rangers’ defense. They haven’t played well for a while. Despite one of the league’s best records, there’s too many instances when they give up the blue line and let opponents create dangerous scoring chances. Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick have covered up a lot of mistakes.

While K’Andre Miller has certainly had his ups and downs, singling him out is wrong. This is an issue for the whole defense, including golden boy Adam Fox. He hasn’t been the same player defensively.

Erik Gustafsson has certainly been a good player for the Rangers. But there are moments when he makes costly mistakes. They’ve been more noticeable recently. I still think they’d be making a mistake if they don’t add a defenseman to upgrade the top six.

Of course, it isn’t easy to add a player like Jakob Chychrun. Maybe Noah Hanifin could be a possibility. You can cross his name off. Hanifin is being traded to the Golden Knights. The rich get richer again.

Braden Schneider has steadied his play. So. You can rule out Radko Gudas. A left defenseman who can play on the third pair would help solidify the defense.

We’ll see what else Rangers team president and general manager Chris Drury decides to do. There are less than 48 hours left until Friday’s March 8 trade deadline. Until then, I’ll see you soon.