Thank you for joining us with an edition of NHL Rumours here at Last Word On Hockey. This edition looks at the Seattle Kraken’s plan to move on from a former top draft pick. According to the chatter, a major move could be brewing in Seattle. So, let’s get right into it.
NHL Rumours: Kraken Ready to Move on From Shane Wright
Rumour: The Kraken need scoring. Moreover, Shane Wright could be a piece that could get the scoring the Kraken need. Insider David Pagnotta initially broke the story among his NHL Rumours.
Analysis: The idea, it seems, is for the Kraken to deal from a position of strength. Wright is a centre. The Kraken have several of those, including Matty Beniers, Chandler Stephenson, and Berkly Catton. Therefore, they would have someone who could slide into one of those slots down the line.
The latest NHL rumour has the Seattle Kraken looking to move on from Shane Wright. Wright, the former fourth overall pick from the 2022 NHL Draft, has a hard time finding a foothold in the Kraken’s lineup.
Leading up to his draft year, the belief was that Wright could have been the first-overall pick. However, his stock slid during the 2021-22 season, calling his draft status into question. He slid from the top three picks, with Seattle taking a chance on him at number four.
Now, it seems the Kraken believe he’s no longer a fit for them.
Let’s sum up the plan according to Pagnotta.
“The Seattle Kraken are open to moving Shane Wright. I think with what they’ve been looking for previously, a legitimate top-six offensive threat; ideally somebody capable of playing in the top line, the sense that I’m getting is a willingness to move and package up Shane Wright in order to get that.”
But Seattle lacks another top-six scorer to complement Jared McCann and captain Jordan Eberle. Kaapo Kakko was a good pick-up from the New York Rangers last season. However, he hasn’t really been the answer to the ongoing NHL Rumours surrounding the Kraken.
Lafreniere-Wright Suggested Trade May Not Solve the Issue
As soon as the chatter surrounding Wright went viral, fans and pundits began speculating about the idea of a deal between the New York Rangers and the Seattle Kraken. While there haven’t been any solid NHL Rumours suggesting this move, the idea of a deal involving former number-one overall pick Alexis Lafreniere and Shane Wright has gained steam.
Insider Elliotte Friedman floated the idea during his 32 Thoughts Podcast on Friday. The idea focuses on the possibility that two former top draft picks needed a change of scenery to potentially thrive.
On the surface, these NHL Rumours make sense for both sides. However, the Kraken want a legit top-six scorer. That’s not Lafreniere. He’s been good and is still 24 years old. But he’s not the established scorer the Kraken are looking for.
Meanwhile, Wright would look good on paper as part of the Rangers’ retool. But NHL Rumours suggest the Blueshirts want established pieces, not reclamation projects.
The idea is tantalising, nonetheless. But it might work better if both Wright and Lafreniere were part of a larger deal beyond a one-for-one swap.
Main Photo Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images