Edmonton has reportedly checked in with Seattle about a young center as the Oilers search for help down the middle.
Shane Wright may not be on the trade market, but that hasn’t stopped the Edmonton Oilers from doing their homework.
Elliotte Friedman reported Monday on the 32 Thoughts podcast that Edmonton has reached out to the Seattle Kraken about the 22-year-old center. The Oilers are searching for a right-shot option down the middle, with Montreal’s Kirby Dach also reportedly on their radar.
“I wondered about Shane Wright for Edmonton, and I think they poked around, but I don’t believe that’s going to happen,” Friedman said.
Edmonton’s interest comes as the team deals with an injury to Jason Dickinson, who is unlikely to be ready for the start of the season after re-aggravating a lower-body injury. Trent Frederic could move into the third-line center spot, while Colton Dach may also be asked to play center.
That has prompted the Oilers to look around the league for another option.
“I think Edmonton is looking for a right-shot center,” Friedman said. “They’ve been combing what’s available.”
Wright is an intriguing name because of his age and pedigree. Seattle selected him fourth overall in 2022, and he had his first full NHL season in 2024-25, finishing with 19 goals and 44 points in 79 games.
He remains a developing player, but Wright has shown some early preseason flashes. He recorded an assist and four shots against Vancouver on Saturday after registering three shots in a shootout win over Calgary.
However, Wright is coming off a disappointing 2025-26 season in which he managed just 27 points in 74 games, leading some to question whether the former fourth-overall pick could ultimately become a draft bust.
Getting him to Edmonton, however, would be another matter.
Seattle has invested heavily in Wright since drafting him, and his potential would make him a significant trade asset. The Oilers also have limited room to maneuver under the salary cap, making any deal more complicated.
Friedman ultimately poured cold water on the possibility of Wright joining Edmonton, but the inquiry itself is notable. With Dickinson’s availability uncertain, the Oilers are clearly exploring the center market for a right-handed option.
