NHL Insider Says Trading Shane Wright For A $52.15M Rangers Forward 'Isn’t The Worst Idea'

On Friday, NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman confirmed the reports, stating that reports of the Kraken considering moving Wright are “real.”

“Initially, you kind of wonder if the agent is rattling cages here or something like that? And I was told, no, like, this is real,” Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts podcast.

Friedman explained that Seattle’s thinking revolves around offense. “I think what they’re looking for is a scorer,” he added. “That’s one thing that Seattle has always looked at: trying to find a dynamic offensive player. That’s kind of one of the things that they’ve never really had.”

Friedman Floats Idea of Shane Wright-Alexis Lafreniere Swap

During the discussion, Friedman said that a swap between the Kraken and the New York Rangers involving Wright and winger Alexis Lafreniere is “not the worst idea.”

“They heard us talking about Lafreniere on the last podcast about how you want a young player. And could you see them doing something like that, like Wright for Lafreniere? And I don’t know how both teams would feel. Would they feel like we deserve a little more? No, we deserve a little more. No, we deserve a little more.”

“But I have to tell you, when I thought about that, I was kind of like, that’s not the worst idea I’ve ever heard… How would you feel about moving him for a fourth overall pick who’s a center, a slightly more valuable position, and both players could probably use a change of scenery?”

So far this season, the 22-year-old Wright has seven goals and 18 points in 50 games. He is signed through next season and will not become a restricted free agent until 2027, giving any acquiring team flexibility. Lafreniere, meanwhile, has 10 goals and 28 points and remains without trade protection.

Nothing appears close right now, but one thing is confirmed that Kraken is willing to think creatively, and Shane Wright’s name is officially part of those conversations.