Once seen as the consensus number one pick for the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Shane Wright's stock has taken a dip since the beginning of the 2021-22 season. After some felt as though Wright had a bit of an attitude issue, he slipped a bit at the top of the first round, being passed over by the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils and Arizona Coyotes, landing at 4th overall, where he was selected by the Seattle Kraken.
In his draft season for the Kingston Frontenacs, Wright scored 32 goals and 94 points in just 63 games. He made the Seattle Kraken lineup out of training camp but his usage brought about a lot of conversation and controversy and he was even made a healthy scratch a few times. By the end of the month, he was sent down to the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the AHL on a conditioning loan - a loophole exercised by the Kraken.
In 8 games at the NHL-level, Wright scored 1 goal and 2 points, but with the Firebirds in the AHL, he scored 4 goals and 6 points in 8 games. He then spent the rest of the season with the Windsor Spitfires where he scored 15 goal and 37 points in just 20 games and scored another 4 goals and 7 points for Team Canada at the World Juniors.
Heading into the 2023-24 season, if he doesn't make the cut in training camp, the Kraken would like to have Wright playing in the AHL instead of being sent down to the CHL again. If you're under the age of 20, you're not eligible to play in the AHL if you come from a North American junior league.
General Manager Ron Francis, will be seeking an exception from the AHL so that Wright can play in there to continue his development, as he has made easy work of the competition in the OHL.
All this boils down to whether or not he can make the NHL squad out of training camp, because if he can do that, then this conversation becomes moot.
