Better have another dream or two tonight. Who knows whom we might nab?No, we didn’t think he’d be available at 4, so I don’t think he was even on the poll.
Better have another dream or two tonight. Who knows whom we might nab?No, we didn’t think he’d be available at 4, so I don’t think he was even on the poll.
Ummm, kindly, no.Congrats on Shane!!.. can we have Yanni back now? Lol
Expected to go 1st overall before the start of the season, a good and consistent season was not enough to let him keep the 1 OA spot. Instead he dropped to 4 where Seattle are hoping Wright and Beniers are a great 1-2 punch down the middle for years to come.
So, honest question....
After Arizona announced they were taking Cooley, how many of you, like me, were very happy that Wright had fallen to us, and then numb with shock and anger when Bettman came to the podium to announce a trade, thinking Francis had traded down?
I don't think I took a breath for at least 30 seconds.![]()
Habs fan here can't believe we passed on Wright
I am still in shockWelcome to Seattle, Shane.
Will be fun watching/following rookie camp starting Monday, July 11th.
Hey hey, welcome back! =DSo fortunate Arizona always screws up their top pick, this one will probably fall in somewhere closer to Dylan Strome than Barrett Hayton.
This is gonna make the team worth watching for sure. Wonder if he makes the team next season, really no reason to send him back to the OHL.
Edit: You know the really funny thing about this pick is that there really isn't anything to argue about. Obvious BPA.
Aim higher. Buffalo and the 'Yotes before Vancouver as well. Everyone before Vancouver.Seattle to win the Cup before Vancouver.
ESPN said:How he fits: Wright's slide to No. 4 had to feel excruciating. For years, the Kingston Frontenacs center was projected to be this draft's top prospect. He was just the sixth player to ever be granted exceptional status in the OHL and put up 39 goals and 66 points in 58 games as a 15-year-old freshman en route to winning rookie of the year.
After the COVID-19 pandemic cost him all of the 2020-21 season, he returned in 2021-22 with an underwhelming start that produced only 22 points in 19 games. He finished strong with 94 points in 63 games but many scouts (rightly) began predicting Wright had opened the door for others to unseat him as the consensus No. 1. That's exactly what happened. New Jersey had the No. 2 and didn't need another center; Arizona went with a different center at No. 3.
The Kraken finally pulled Wright off the board. While not a generational talent, Wright has the potential to develop into a No. 1 center. At 6-0 and 191 pounds, Wright possesses good size and is a strong skater who's impressively elusive with quickness to beat defenders to pucks. Add to that excellent hockey sense, outstanding playmaking ability and finish around the net.
No doubt his slide down the draft board will motivate Wright when he does reach the NHL. And he's likely closer to being NHL-ready than most No. 4 picks. That's good news for the expansion Kraken, who can mold Wright into a franchise centerpiece. -- Shilton