How the Shane Wright-Matthew Wood Trade Impacts Fantasy Hockey

The hockey world was surprised when the Seattle Kraken traded 2022 fourth overall pick Shane Wright to the Nashville Predators for 2023 15th overall pick Matthew Wood. The one-for-one swap is a rare sight in the NHL, and it involves two players who still hold upside, with Wright 22 and Wood 21.

Both clubs are off to impressive starts. Seattle sits third in the Pacific Division at 8-5-1, while Nashville is tied for the second wild card spot at 5-4-5 but currently on the outside of it.

Both players were expected to play massive roles for their teams but have recently hit setbacks. Wood was a regular top-six forward for Nashville but slowly lost minutes over time, and Wright finished his time in Seattle as a third-line option. Now, with the slate wiped clean on their new teams, one or both could become fantasy relevant.

Wright broke out in his first full NHL season in 2024-25 with 19 goals and 25 assists for 44 points in 79 games. He took a major step back this past season with just 27 points in 74 games, and so far this season he has four points in 14 games. Wood is coming off his first full NHL season, which was promising, with 30 points in 71 games, but he too has started slowly this season with three points in 14 games.

Based on the roles they are expected to fill, Wright appears to have the better setup. He is expected to slot in as the clear center on Nashville's second line, a major upgrade in linemates, playing with Filip Forsberg, a routine 40-to-50-goal scorer. That could lead to a big jump in his assist numbers early on. Wright is also expected to start on Nashville's second power-play unit with Mavrik Bourque and Ross Colton.

Wood will join Seattle's middle six on the right wing and reunite with a former junior linemate in Berkly Catton, with whom he played on Team Canada's 2023 U18 World Championship team. Wood had 13 points and Catton four in seven games at that tournament. Wood is also expected to play with Catton on the Kraken's second power-play unit, and that familiar chemistry may give him an edge in finding his footing in Seattle.

Looking at both players, Wright carries some real upside given his spot on the Predators' second line alongside a bona fide star in Forsberg, as well as his pedigree as a top-four pick. Seattle, meanwhile, will get a look at how Wood can perform when paired with Catton.

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