After the Seattle Kraken assigned 2022 fourth-overall pick Shane Wright back to the OHL this morning, it quickly became apparent that he would not remain a member of his current team, the Kingston Frontenacs. They are fifth in the Eastern Conference, but at just two games over .500, OHL championship and Memorial Cup aspirations aren’t in their future this season.
Obviously, both for Wright personally and his development, it makes sense for him to be in a more competitive situation as he finishes out his junior career. The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler today named the Ottawa 67’s, Barrie Colts, Peterborough Petes, and London Knights as “expected players” in a Wright trade, which would need to occur within the next four days. The OHL’s trade deadline is on Tuesday, January 10.
Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek added on, saying he didn’t think a Wright trade was necessarily imminent but that Kingston general manager Kory Cooper would meet with Wright, his family, his agent, and Kraken representatives to discuss trade options. Wright has a no-trade clause in his agreement with Kingston.
Ottawa may make the most sense for Wright, given their situation. The 67’s are first in the OHL, maintaining a spectacular 26-6-1-1 record through 34 games. Their strong suit is defense, surrendering only a league-best 87 goals. Scoring is a needed area of improvement, though. The 2023 draft-eligible Luca Pinelli is tied with the overage Cameron Tolnai for the team lead in scoring, although they both have just 39 points in 34 games. They’re solid totals but not staggering for the junior level.
Wright, who scored four goals in five games with the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds and had seven points in seven games at the World Juniors, should clear the point-per-game mark by a mile. He still managed 94 points in 63 games with Kingston in 2021-22 despite not playing at all the season prior.
He also fits into Ottawa’s game plan as a defensively responsible center and could take some of the load from players like Pinelli to open up their offensive games.
Smart move by the Kraken (due to circumstances).
Wish he could play for Coachella Valley (4 goals in 5 games), but at least they’ll save a year of ELC.
With the Kraken in the playoff hunt, there just isn’t room for him. No sense making him a healthy scratch or playing ~8 min/night on the 3rd/4th line.
Hopefully he gets traded to a contender, works on his game and shuts up the nay-sayers who are convinced the kid has a ‘bad attitude’.
Looking forward to seeing him in 23/24 training camp.
Second time I’ve seen this so hopefully someone more knowledgeable can clarify:
Since he played more than 9 pro games his ELC should still expire after 2025 but since he played less than 9 NHL games it pushed his UFA status back another year?
They really handled him very badly IMO. Im a habs fan and I wanted Slaf or cooley but i really thought wright was there pick. Either way this young man is having a very unfortunate start to his pro career and i imagine his confidence is at a low point. ” KNOWING” your going to be picked 1st, then falling to 4th, then not getting any playing time, even when your family was flown in for a weekend and they still scratch you the whole time. This is the kind of thing that could ruin a prospect, hopfully he does get traded to a contender and racks up some serious points to give him a boost.
He has played under 10 games at the NHL level. He’s either with Seattle or heads back to the OHL. As far as I know,he has not burned his first year on his entry level contract.
@Don, as far as I can tell, an entry level isn’t burnt for a year unless you play 10 games at the NHL level. Games in the AHL/ECHL on a conditioning stint do not count towards to his NHL or pro credit.
When you look at the Kraken who would he take out of the lineup..The fourth line is solid so the best bet is to give him lots and lots of playing time …I always say give younger players more of a chance at the highest level but with this guy he has to get out of his head that he was suppose to be the #1 pick but S*** Happens..If it doesn’t change he will be a bust….