After a trade failed to materialize this offseason, Shane Wright remains in Seattle with a crucial opportunity to prove he can become the player the Kraken once envisioned.
Shane Wright entered the offseason with both the Seattle Kraken and his camp seemingly prepared for a divorce.
The former fourth-overall pick was reportedly available in trade discussions, with Wright’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, confirming that he and general manager Jason Botterill had been working toward finding the young center a new home. The expectation was that Wright, once viewed as one of the most coveted prospects in hockey, could be headed for a fresh start elsewhere.
But the NHL’s trade market had other plans.
Despite Seattle’s apparent willingness to move Wright, a deal never materialized. The Kraken were reportedly adamant that they would not simply give away a young center they still believed had significant value, while interested teams apparently failed to meet Seattle’s asking price.
Now, after an offseason that produced no change of scenery, the messaging from Wright’s camp has shifted considerably.
Overhardt tells the Emerald City Spectrum that Wright is currently “fully committed” to the Kraken, a notable change from the tone surrounding the 22-year-old earlier this summer.
“There is nothing we can discuss right now, we will see how things develop over the next few weeks,” Overhardt said. “Until that time, Shane is fully committed to the Kraken and that is all he is focused on now.”
That statement comes after NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported in July that Wright’s camp was working with Botterill to facilitate a trade. Overhardt subsequently confirmed that the two sides had held positive discussions and that Seattle had agreed to explore moving Wright to a team in need of a young top-line center.
However, the trade market had other ideas, and Wright, for better or for worse, remains on a team that seemingly doesn’t want him there. And by all indications, it would seem that’s a mutual feeling. However, this could motivate the 22-year-old to turn things around.
Wright recorded 27 points, including 12 goals and 15 assists, across 74 games last season. Another campaign at that level would make it increasingly difficult for Seattle to extract the type of return it would presumably want for a former fourth-overall pick—and could further diminish Wright’s appeal to potential teams.
If Wright wants to eventually force his way out of Seattle, the best way to do it may be to give teams a reason to come calling.
Posting more than 27 points in 74 games would be a good start.
