It's not every day a (potential) first line center becomes available.
For a team like the Detroit Red Wings, who need to take some risks and upgrade at center, there's no better candidate to target than Shane Wright. Sure, the Red Wings could try and offer sheet someone like Adam Fantilli of the Columbus Blue Jackets, but that comes with a risk of alienating potential trade partners and forking over multiple high draft picks.
In the case of Shane Wright of the Seattle Kraken, though, things become more interesting.
Wright - a former projected first overall pick - hasn't really had much of a chance to shine in Seattle. He spent hist first few seasons going up and down from the AHL before finally locking down a full-time roster spot in 2024-25.
Since then, he's been somewhat underwhelming -- but that has more to do with the Kraken than it does Wright.
Shane Wright stuck in tough situation in Seattle
If you look at Daily Faceoff's projected lineup for the Kraken next season, you'll notice a few head-scratchers. Sure, Wright is on the second line with Jared McCann, but who in the world is "Berkley Catton"?
Last season, Wright floundered a bit, posting just 27 points in 74 games. He struggled to mesh with his line mates and couldn't score to save his life. Worst of all, his ice time remained inconsistent at best, with the flashy center averaging just 13:48 a night.
For reference, J.T. Compher was given more ice time (15:40 a night) than Wright.
Inconsistency isn't just a Wright problem, though. The entirety of the Kraken appears discombobulated.
The Kraken had a -37 goal differential last season -- a feat even more surprising considering the division they call home. The entire team, from former Calder winner Matty Beniers to Wright himself, couldn't find any sort of consistency all season long.
With Wright approaching the final year of his entry-level contract and the Kraken continuing to struggle in the weakest division in the NHL, there appears to be a breaking point forming between both camps.
That's where the Red Wings come in.
How the Red Wings can get Wright back to contention
Shane Wright is a risk. There's no doubt about that. With 78 points in 169 games, the former fourth overall pick hasn't shown signs of being a top guy yet. But he's also never received an opportunity to show his stuff at the NHL level. A fresh start might be just what Wright needs -- and, best of all, he'll come at a discount.
Wright's low production cuts both ways. It allows the Red Wings to take a gamble on a potential high-end forward while not forking up too much in return. In a world where (potential) top-line centers are hard to come by, trading for Wright is a low-risk, potentially sky-high reward.
If reports are true and the Kraken are keen to move on from Wright, there's little downside in taking making a run at Wright.
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