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2022 first round pick Seattle Kraken struggles to draw into the Seattle Kraken lineup. The team has more options than sending him back to the juniors.
Here is some interesting insight into what the Seattle Kraken will do with 2022 first round draft pick Shane Wright, in the short term. As we recently wrote, the rookie barely draws into the lineup and when he does, gets very little time on the ice to develop.
A clause in the agreement between the National Hockey League and Junior Candadan Hockey League could allow Wright to spend some time in the minors. Many had no idea this was even an option for Seattle.
As TSN’s Darren Dreger reported on “Insider Trading,” (underneath Ryan Reynolds buying the Ottawa Senators) an under-20 player whose rights belong to the CHL (Kingston Frontenacs) like Wright can be sent to the AHL one time, for a two-week conditioning stint, if he is scratched for five games in a row.
Dusting off the Crystal Ball
What is likely to happen is the Kraken scratch Wright for five games, send him down to the Coachella Valley Firebirds for two weeks, and then loan him to Team Canada for the World Juniors.
It’s a win-win situation for all involved.
For Wright, this is a way to get back into game action and be a focal point of his team’s offense. He gets to not only play but also represent his country.
From the Kraken’s side, going to Coachella Valley for a few weeks of conditioning and then playing in the WJC doesn’t count toward his first-year contract. That adds a little more flexibility to their cap status. Additionally, the Kraken get more time to figure out their direction this season and maybe make a trade or two before Wright comes back.
The only reason Wright drew into the lineup on Thursday night was that Jared McCann unexpectedly went down with lower body injury. Had McCann been healthy, Wright would have been a healthy scratch making him eligible for the two-week stint with the Firebirds.
Instead Wright played a season high 13:45, primarily centering Brandon Tanev and Yanni Gourde in Seattle’s 4-0 win at Minnesota. Once McCann is ready to go, expect to see Wright in the press box again.
What do you think the Seattle Kraken will do to get Shane Wright more ice time?
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