Don’t change just to change, but don’t miss out when making a change for the better. That’s what Henry Ford would tell you. Ford never had to manage the aspirations and egos of professional hockey players, the expectations of the fans … and a salary cap. And last I checked, for all his accomplishments, there is no Stanley Cup sitting on Mr. Ford’s shelf.
But that doesn’t make him wrong. And if the developments in the relationship between Shane Wright and the Seattle Kraken are any indication, the Kraken organization might agree with Ford when it comes to the idea of change.
Just a couple of months ago, it seemed like Shane Wright’s career with the Seattle Kraken was all but over. Conversations between Wright’s camp and the Kraken organization had advanced to the point that NHL Network insider Elliotte Friedman suggested that Wright’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, was under the impression that Wright was going to be traded. Yet here we are, ready to get camp underway, and no trade involving Shane Wright has come to fruition.
So, does that mean the Kraken are no longer interested in making a trade -or- that they see things the way Ford did and simply haven’t identified a better way? That is to say, they haven’t received the right offer.
The Wright Path
Wright has been with the Kraken his entire career, having been the franchise’s fourth overall pick in 2022. A fourth overall pick many thought made for a viable first overall pick. Seattle winning the draft that night was not an uncommon notion. In his first full season in the NHL, the 2024-2025 campaign, Wright amassed 44 points -19 goals and 25 assists – in 79 games. At that point, some in Seattle thought they were witnessing the maturation of their next star in the right-handed-shooting center.
Last season brought a dip in production for Wright, as he recorded 27 points -12 goals and 15 assists – in 74 games. With just 169 career NHL games under his skates, it’s fair to suggest that a larger sample size is needed before making any sort of realistic assessment of Wright’s trajectory as a pro.
Still, it’s not as if the idea of the Kraken moving on from Wright came out of nowhere. Some believed Wright was going to be traded before the trade deadline last year . And before the conversations between Wright’s camp and the Kraken mentioned earlier took place, there were rumors that the center was out the door again, potentially to Philadelphia. Beyond that, there was no shortage of speculation. It’s a tough position for an organization to find itself in.
The Wright Path Forward
On one hand, we have a noticeable dip in production. On the other, we’re talking about only two full seasons’ worth of a sample size. If the organization believes the dip in production is a trend that will continue, they have to maximize any potential return. This is especially the case if the Kraken have their minds set on bolstering their attack with a forward acquisition. Someone once said something about something not growing on trees.
They probably weren’t talking about goals, but the logic is sound. At this point, I can’t help but think the Kraken aren’t looking to force the marriage with Wright. Instead, they’re simply using a little of Ford’s logic.
With training camp just 3 days away, they’re not going to make a change just to make a change. They’ll make a change when it’s in an effort to get better.
Home › Forums › A Critical “Wright” Or Wrong Choice
Tagged: nhl, Seattle Kraken