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Shane Wright, Seattle Kraken (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Flames Should Avoid Trading for Kraken’s Shane Wright

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Rupert McDonald | Last updated Jan 29, 2026 9:35 AM ET

The Calgary Flames are continuing to work through their retooling stage, but could still use some improvements in a number of areas. They need far more scoring overall, particularly up front, but most would agree that their biggest need at this time is a top-end centreman.

While Nazem Kadri has served well in that role throughout his Flames tenure, he will be 36 years old next season. On top of that, there is plenty of speculation that he could be moved out of Calgary before the 2026-27 season gets underway.

Of course, acquiring a top-end centreman, especially one that fits into the Flames’ long-term plans, is much easier said than done. Teams aren’t often willing to trade their top centres, as they are very hard to come by. Generally, the best way is to draft and develop them.

The Flames are attempting to do just that, as they selected not one, but two centres at the 2025 draft in Cole Reschny and Cullen Potter. The organization is high on both players, but it’s always a gamble as to whether or not a prospect truly pans out. Even if one, or perhaps both do work out, they likely won’t be making a major impact at the NHL level for the next few seasons. As it turns out, however, there may be one available for them.

Kraken Open to Moving Wright

Hockey fans are well aware of who Shane Wright is. The now 22-year-old has been talked about for years, ever since being granted exceptional status into the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) all the way back in 2019. He was viewed as the consensus number-one pick heading into his draft year.

That never wound up coming to fruition, as Wright had a good but not great second OHL season with the Kingston Frontenacs. Questions started to arise as to whether or not he would remain the number one pick. Then came the ultimate shocker, as he wound up falling all the way to fourth overall, where the Seattle Kraken couldn’t get to the draft stage quick enough to snatch him up.

There’s no sugar coating it; to this point, Wright’s career hasn’t panned out as anybody would have expected years ago. He wound up spending his first season as a pro in the American Hockey League (AHL) before becoming a regular NHLer in 2024-25.

All in all, Wright’s rookie season showed plenty of promise. While he by no means lit things up offensively, he finished the 2024-25 campaign with a very respectable 19 goals and 44 points in 79 games. The relatively strong showing helped quiet his detractors, as it appeared he was well on his way to becoming a good, if not great, NHLer.

If things continued to progress the way they were appearing, though, this article wouldn’t need to be written. What’s happened in Wright in 2025-26 is somewhat of a mystery. Rather than improve on his offensive totals, he’s mustered up just seven goals and 18 points through 52 games.

His struggles have his future with the Kraken at a crossroads. The Kraken are right in the thick of the playoff race in the Western Conference despite their leading scorer in Jordan Eberle having only 36 points. To no surprise, the Kraken are looking to add some scoring ahead of the trade deadline, and they are reportedly willing to move Wright in order to make it happen.

“The Shane Wright stuff, that he’s available and out there and the Kraken are considering moving him — that’s real,” Elliotte Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts podcast.

Flames Don’t Have the Proper Pieces for a Deal

By all means, it would be excellent to see the Flames trade for Wright. Though his work in the face-off circle leaves plenty to be desired, it isn’t uncommon to see young players struggle in the dot. That part of his game should improve, and he clearly has plenty of offensive upside.

The issue is that the Kraken are looking for scoring in return, and the Flames have almost nobody who would give them that. Blake Coleman is a player who could be moved, but it seems very unlikely the Kraken part ways with Wright for a 34-year-old who has hit the 50-point mark just once in his career.

Instead, the Kraken would be attempting to pry Matt Coronato away from the Flames. While Wright does have a bright future in the NHL, Coronato’s is arguably brighter. He is slightly older than Wright at 23, but put up 24 goals and 47 points in just 77 games in 2024-25. He has regressed this season, though not as drastically as Wright. He currently sits with 14 goals and 28 points.

Matt Coronato, Calgary Flames (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Unless the Kraken become extremely desperate for scoring and are willing to accept a trade along the likes of Coleman and a draft pick, this is a move the Flames are best to avoid. As exciting as it would be to acquire Wright, moving Coronato for him is far too risky of a move. Who knows, perhaps a Wright acquisition is something that can be revisited in the summer if he isn’t moved by the deadline, but it shouldn’t be Coronato headed the other way.