Kraken to assign 2022 fourth overall pick to AHL

John Shannon of the Bob McCown Podcast is reporting that it looks as though the Seattle Kraken will assign 2022 first-round pick Shane Wright to their AHL affiliate. Wright had his OHL season ended last night when his Windsor Spitfires were knocked out of the playoffs by the Kitchener Rangers.

Seattle could call Wright up to be an extra skater for the big club in its playoff push, but it appears as though the Kraken feel that some time with the Coachella Valley Firebirds would be better for his development.

Wright has had quite the roller-coaster ride during the 2022-23 season. He started the year by making the Kraken out of training camp after a solid showing. Following that he was used in a limited capacity before eventually being assigned to the AHL. In his first run with the Firebirds, Wright tore it up with four goals in five games before being called back up to Seattle. He then won gold with Team Canada at the 2023 World Junior Championships before being reassigned to the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL. The Windsor Spitfires then traded seven draft picks and two players for Wright and finished as the No. 1 seed in the regular season. Finally, Thursday night the Spitfires were swept in the first round by the No. 8-seed Rangers.

For all the highs and lows this season, Wright has produced offense more often than not. His only offensive struggles occurred at the NHL level as he has just a single goal and assist with the Kraken in eight games. Given his recent history, it makes sense that the Kraken would like to see Wright gain some traction in the AHL before making a return to the NHL.