With his conditioning stint over, Shane Wright is back in the NHL – for now. The young forward scored four goals in five games during his time with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, a move that was only allowed after he faced five consecutive healthy scratches in the NHL. He has now been recalled just in time for a game against the Montreal Canadiens, if the team decides to put him in the lineup.
(UPDATE: Head coach Dave Hakstol has confirmed to reporters including Kate Shefte of the Seattle Times that Wright will play against the Canadiens.)
Wright, 18, can play in two more NHL contests without burning the first year of his entry-level contract, and you can be sure he wants one of them to come against Montreal. After long being expected to go first overall in the 2022 draft, Wright was passed over by the Canadiens in favor of Juraj Slafkovsky, before seeing his name drop two more spots to finally come off the board fourth to Seattle.
Later today, Hockey Canada will be announcing their group for the upcoming World Junior Championship, which could be another option for the young forward. Playing at the tournament could keep him fresh without forcing the Kraken to send him back to the OHL. Once they do that, there is no recalling him, and there has been some debate over whether the team wants him to play for Kingston (the team that holds his rights) at all. In January, trade restrictions lift in the OHL, meaning Wright could be dealt to a different organization, one that the Kraken are comfortable sending him back to.
For now, though, he’s back in the big leagues and earning the NHL portion of his two-way contract.
Sure hope this poor guy can get some actual ice time, instead of more popcorn-in-the-press-box time. If they don’t want to develop him, they should just trade him to somebody who will.
Trade him to Anaheim; they need him more that Seattle.
What exactly would Anaheim send to Seattle for him? Their 2023 1st round pick, maybe? The Kraken would gladly take that.
@NativeAmerican – I’d agree he’d have a better chance at showing his scoring touch, but that team can’t backcheck their ass out of a wet paper bag right now. And, I don’t think he’d be able to learn that in ANA.
I don’t think we would do that. Too risky. No guarantee of landing Bedard. Wright can be a significant contributor in his own right.
@myaccount2-You are probably right. I wasn’t just thinking of Bedard. It’s a deep draft anywhere in the top five which is where it looks like Anaheim will pick. But I am still excited about what Wright can bring to the Kraken. I hope he plays in the World Junior Tournament. I’d like to see what he can do against his peers.
Dropped to the 4th pick and now his team has been on fire since he’s been gone from the locker room…….Sounds like a great teammate.
@88good ol days—That might be true, but he’s hardly had the chance to be a real teammate. It’d be nice to see him get at least a chance to succeed.
Hakstol just said he’s in the lineup against Montreal. Gonna be a fun one to watch.
Not enough talk about Beniers going on right now.
That kid is so ****ing good.
He’s somewhere between a Bergeron with more scoring upside OR a 32 year old peak Yzerman in a 19 year old body.
I watch a lot of Kraken games we all know he can score goals. His skating is better than I expected. But most amazing by far is the way he passes the puck.