Seattle Kraken Get It Right with Selection of Forward Shane Wright

The NHL’s newest franchise just experienced its second draft and came out of it looking like gangbusters. After just two short years of existence, the Seattle Kraken now have prospects, a minor league affiliate, and hope for the future.

With prospects to send to their new AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, they now have a system in place for young players to be successful. However, after this draft, there is one player certain not to make the trip to the AHL and that is their first-round pick, 4th overall, Shane Wright.

Wright had been projected since the end of the 2021 NHL Draft to go first overall. It remained that way until shortly before the 2022 NHL Draft that some saw him as dropping out of that number one spot.

Hearing that, general managers stayed away from Wright, and he slid to the Kraken at number four. Seattle wasted no time in calling his name, and now he is the future of the franchise and without a doubt their future top-line center.

The Kraken got it right with their selection of forward Shane Wright.

Without reasoning on why he slipped, Wright had produced offensively in the OHL with the Kingston Frontenacs throughout his junior career. He was consistent in his play, relying on his hockey IQ to outplay his opponents.

The 6-foot-1 and 198-pound Wright is an elite center who is a point producer. He dominated the OHL and soon will be able to do the same on the big stage.

Wright is qualified to lead a team to the Stanley Cup based on his offensive production and leadership skills. Making the most out of the small spaces on the ice, he is great at deception, whether it is shooting the puck or passing.

Last season for the OHL Kingston Frontenacs, he led the team in scoring, posting 32 goals and 62 assists for 94 points in 63 games and was also a +23. In 11 playoff games, he recorded 3 goals and 11 assists for 14 points.

Wright is a complete player with NHL speed. Although he is raw, he could very well skyrocket up the Seattle depth chart because of the lack of center depth.

Wright now has an NHL team to play for and one that could use his services as the face of the franchise. Can he live up to the pressure? Without a doubt.

Since being the discussed top overall pick, he has flourished, gaining more confidence with every game played. However, since his drop to the 4th overall pick, he may have lost some of that confidence and with that, he is more determined than ever to prove teams wrong who passed on him.

He will score in the NHL, he will be a factor in the success of the Kraken, and he will be the face of the franchise. Wright is a good hockey player and the fact he slipped in the draft has nothing to do with his offensive production.

He has the skill to be good for a long time, we just have to be patient until his debut to watch this world-class athlete perform on NHL ice.