Prospect Info: Shane Wright (Round 1, Pick #4, 2022 draft)

[gstommylee]

Not really 40 games it’s more crossing like the 90 day or something mark which represents half of the 180 something day regular season.

He’s deemed to be on the roster unless there are transactions that take him off the roster such as an Ahl stint or loan to the wjhc. He’s been on the kraken roster everyday since the season started in mid October so he’s up to 20 odd days now. Another 70 or so left before he accrues them season towards free agency.

He's a RFA after his ELC contract is up.

 

[majormajor]

He's a RFA after his ELC contract is up.

Yes but the number of RFA seasons remaining drops by 1 if he is with the Kraken past that halfway mark. So he'll hit UFA at age 25 instead of 26, I think.

Shane's value in his mid twenties should be very high, while at age 18 his value isn't any higher that a Donato or Geekie, if not lower. So this is clearly a case where he shouldn't be kept.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

This isn’t a critique of where Wright currently is in his development. No one expects him to be at beniers level who was actually a higher pick than Wright.

This is a critique about wrights playing time. He needs to play and as you mentioned he’s already missed a ton of time. He needs to play. Sitting for 1-2 games is one thing, but he’s sat for 4 straight now. That’s not what is right for his development. It’s just not

Yes Beniers was a higher pick but he's also near 14 months older too. And Beniers got to play in the "Olympics"after his college season ended. Plus he had his stint at tails end of 2022. Wright sits because the coach needs for the Kraken to win. That line up without Shaner gives him the best chance to keep his job instead of being some lame duck coaching signing. Wright will get his chances. Guys want him to succeed but not at the expense of their playing time(10th-12thF)

 

[gstommylee]

Yes but the number of RFA seasons remaining drops by 1 if he is with the Kraken past that halfway mark. So he'll hit UFA at age 25 instead of 26, I think.

Shane's value in his mid twenties should be very high, while at age 18 his value isn't any higher that a Donato or Geekie, if not lower. So this is clearly a case where he shouldn't be kept.

and playing against teens doesnt advance development against nhlers.

 

[Irie]

and playing against teens doesnt advance development against nhlers.

His development continues, regardless of where he is playing.

You keep him in the NHL and he is working hard on his defensive game and positioning, trying not to be a liability while he is on the ice so that the coach will have faith in him and give him more playing time. This route he will likely be a better defensive forward sooner, but he is literally getting 20 seconds of puck possession time in his 8-9 minutes per game.

In Juniors he will likely be getting several minutes of puck possession time per game, and learning to be the go to guy under pressure, while likely pushing his offensive creativity to new heights. His focus on defensive positioning will probably not develop as early as the NHL version's would, but there is a better than average chance that his offensive skillset would be better developed in lesser leagues.

So what matters most to you? Having an elite scoring center? Or a solid two-way center with more defensive chops, but not game breaking offensive ability?

Development routes absolutely influence different areas of game development. There is no guarantee that all aspects won't eventually develop and hit their ceilings, but there are greater chances of prospects being better in certain aspects of their skillset depending on where they develop.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

His development continues, regardless of where he is playing.

You keep him in the NHL and he is working hard on his defensive game and positioning, trying not to be a liability while he is on the ice so that the coach will have faith in him and give him more playing time. This route he will likely be a better defensive forward sooner, but he is literally getting 20 seconds of puck possession time in his 8-9 minutes per game.

In Juniors he will likely be getting several minutes of puck possession time per game, and learning to be the go to guy under pressure, while likely pushing his offensive creativity to new heights. His focus on defensive positioning will probably not develop as early as the NHL version's would, but there is a better than average chance that his offensive skillset would be better developed in lesser leagues.

So what matters most to you? Having an elite scoring center? Or a solid two-way center with more defensive chops, but not game breaking offensive ability?

Development routes absolutely influence different areas of game development. There is no guarantee that all aspects won't eventually develop and hit their ceilings, but there are greater chances of prospects being better in certain aspects of their skillset depending on where they develop.

Agreed.

Wright is trying to keep a spot at the NHL level by showing he is not a liability. In juniors he can actually just focus on the offensive side of things.

This is a personal observation and I am not sure how accurate it is but I feel that Wright overall has not adjusted to the identity of this team. Our team is all hustle and speed. Wright is a decent skater but he looks behind the play all the time. Gourde and Tanev made it very apparent to me because Wright was mostly playing catch up. Ofcourse part of it is adjusting to the team mates along with having to adjust with NHL speed. The other part is Wright is most likely not confident enough to push the offense on his own because he is trying to not make mistakes.

I cannot say how much he learns at the Junior level anymore but I really hope whatever Francis decides does not stunt his offensive creativity.

 

[gstommylee]

Kraken’s Shane Wright given home away from home by teammate Ryan Donato

Rookie Shane Wright's Kraken teammates discussed giving the rookie a new place to crash, and Ryan Donato stepped up.

www.seattletimes.com

 

[majormajor]

Supposedly the Wright situation was discussed on Hockey Night in Canada earlier tonight, and Jeff Marek said Wright is expected to be assigned tomorrow to the two-week conditioning stint in the AHL.

Seems like the perfect spot for him to get some pro experience. Then we'll have the World Juniors in December and then hopefully (my opinion) an assignment to the OHL in January.

 

[Irie]

Supposedly the Wright situation was discussed on Hockey Night in Canada earlier tonight, and Jeff Marek said Wright is expected to be assigned tomorrow to the two-week conditioning stint in the AHL.

Seems like the perfect spot for him to get some pro experience. Then we'll have the World Juniors in December and then hopefully (my opinion) an assignment to the OHL in January.

I know this is a super rare situation, and i honestly have no clue about the ins-and-outs of the rule, but if I recall correctly, I am pretty sure the league ixnayed a similar situation with the Sabres and Grigorenko about ten years ago because they determined he wasn't injured and it was more a work around of the CHL agreement than a conditioning stint. (I know Buffalo had a little bit of a different situation because Grigorenko could not be returned to the Q due to his old team having the max amount of imports, but I don't think that was the reason the league disallowed the move).

Do we have anything official on this? Any clue if they have changed the rules or if it has been done with players that weren't injured? Maybe they have changed the CBA since?

I also remember the rule back then stated clearly that the player had to approve the conditioning stint for it to happen, and that the player had every right to refuse the move it he did not want to be demoted.

*edit* On a side note, Francis was on the postgame tonight discussing the situation and he said a whole lot of nothing really. "It's a Process.... looking at all options..... having discussion with Shane and his agent"..... etc. Very PC and non-committal.

 

[majormajor]

I know this is a super rare situation, and i honestly have no clue about the ins-and-outs of the rule, but if I recall correctly, I am pretty sure the league ixnayed a similar situation with the Sabres and Grigorenko about ten years ago because they determined he wasn't injured and it was more a work around of the CHL agreement than a conditioning stint. (I know Buffalo had a little bit of a different situation because Grigorenko could not be returned to the Q due to his old team having the max amount of imports, but I don't think that was the reason the league disallowed the move).

Do we have anything official on this? Any clue if they have changed the rules or if it has been done with players that weren't injured? Maybe they have changed the CBA since?

I also remember the rule back then stated clearly that the player had to approve the conditioning stint for it to happen, and that the player had every right to refuse the move it he did not want to be demoted.

*edit* On a side note, Francis was on the postgame tonight discussing the situation and he said a whole lot of nothing really. "It's a Process.... looking at all options..... having discussion with Shane and his agent"..... etc. Very PC and non-committal.

Here's the report:



Marek is mostly if not entirely guessing, but these guys are good at this. I'm curious to see how it unfolds tomorrow.

 

[Irie]

Here's the report:



Marek is mostly if not entirely guessing, but these guys are good at this. I'm curious to see how it unfolds tomorrow.

I am still curious if this is actually in the new agreement, or if everyone is just assuming it would be ok but the league may actually have to rule on it yet.

Also curious if AHL games would count to the 9 game limit to prevent him from being returned to the OHL without sliding. Since the agreement is under the assumption he can't play in the AHL, I would say no, but I believe the rule read pro games and not NHL games, so I am genuinely confused.

I guess we will find out soon. Exciting times.

 

[bmore236]

I know this is a super rare situation, and i honestly have no clue about the ins-and-outs of the rule, but if I recall correctly, I am pretty sure the league ixnayed a similar situation with the Sabres and Grigorenko about ten years ago because they determined he wasn't injured and it was more a work around of the CHL agreement than a conditioning stint. (I know Buffalo had a little bit of a different situation because Grigorenko could not be returned to the Q due to his old team having the max amount of imports, but I don't think that was the reason the league disallowed the move).

Do we have anything official on this? Any clue if they have changed the rules or if it has been done with players that weren't injured? Maybe they have changed the CBA since?

I also remember the rule back then stated clearly that the player had to approve the conditioning stint for it to happen, and that the player had every right to refuse the move it he did not want to be demoted.

*edit* On a side note, Francis was on the postgame tonight discussing the situation and he said a whole lot of nothing really. "It's a Process.... looking at all options..... having discussion with Shane and his agent"..... etc. Very PC and non-committal.

The article about Grigorenko was that he had general body soreness from the article listed below.

Buffa-no: NHL rejects Grigorenko's AHL conditioning assignment

No trip to Rochester for the 19-year-old.

nhl.nbcsports.com

Here's hoping he can go to the AHL and have the two-week conditioning sting, play the Habs and then head off to the WJC.

 

[majormajor]

I am still curious if this is actually in the new agreement, or if everyone is just assuming it would be ok but the league may actually have to rule on it yet.

Also curious if AHL games would count to the 9 game limit to prevent him from being returned to the OHL. Since the agreement is under the assumption he can't play in the AHL, I would say no, but I believe the rule read pro games and not NHL games, so I am genuinely confused.

I guess we will find out soon. Exciting times.

Are you talking about the 9 game max before the ELC contract year is counted? That shouldn't have any bearing on if a player can be assigned to junior. He can be assigned to junior after any number of games - see Draisaitl. Maybe you're referring to something else?

 

[gstommylee]

 

[Sad People]

Very interested in seeing what he does in the AHL.

 

[gstommylee]

Agreed.

Wright is trying to keep a spot at the NHL level by showing he is not a liability. In juniors he can actually just focus on the offensive side of things.

This is a personal observation and I am not sure how accurate it is but I feel that Wright overall has not adjusted to the identity of this team. Our team is all hustle and speed. Wright is a decent skater but he looks behind the play all the time. Gourde and Tanev made it very apparent to me because Wright was mostly playing catch up. Ofcourse part of it is adjusting to the team mates along with having to adjust with NHL speed. The other part is Wright is most likely not confident enough to push the offense on his own because he is trying to not make mistakes.

I cannot say how much he learns at the Junior level anymore but I really hope whatever Francis decides does not stunt his offensive creativity.

he's not going to get that adjustment in order to do better against NHLers by playing against teens though. There's are those that say he's passed the jr major level but not quite 100% ready ready at the NHL level so it wouldn't make sense to send him back. Reality he's at the AHL level but can't go there full time.

 

[ottsabrefan]

he's not going to get that adjustment in order to do better against NHLers by playing against teens though. There's are those that say he's passed the jr major level but not quite 100% ready ready at the NHL level so it wouldn't make sense to send him back. Reality he's at the AHL level but can't go there full time.

As a Fronts fan, I can tell you he is not past the OHL level yet. Nobody that watched him play in the O last year thinks that he is past that level.

 

[mouser]

I am still curious if this is actually in the new agreement, or if everyone is just assuming it would be ok but the league may actually have to rule on it yet.

Also curious if AHL games would count to the 9 game limit to prevent him from being returned to the OHL. Since the agreement is under the assumption he can't play in the AHL, I would say no, but I believe the rule read pro games and not NHL games, so I am genuinely confused.

I guess we will find out soon. Exciting times.

A couple possible differences between Grigorenko and Wright.

- Grigorenko had already exceeded the 10 game cutoff to burn the first year on his contract, Wright hasn’t.

- Grigorenko sat out a week before Buffalo tried to assign him. Wright hasn’t played in two weeks.

On your second question, the rule is 10 NHL games to burn a 18/19 year old ELC contract year, not 10 Professional Games. Once the player is age 20+ a single Professional Game burns a ELC contract year.

Am also curious to see if the NHL pushes back on this at all.

 

[majormajor]

There's are those that say he's passed the jr major level

That would be a rare opinion if any expert holds it. I've only heard it from you.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

Very interested in seeing what he does in the AHL.

Hope they surround Wright with some Goons because the AHL is a "Garage" League

 

[gstommylee]

That would be a rare opinion if any expert holds it. I've only heard it from you.

He would be back in the OHL if there were legitmate problems where he HAS TO go back to the OHL in order to continue development. Most of those things that would send a guy back to the jrs isn't a problem. Send him back for the sake of ice time to only play against teens is a bad idea for him.

 

[brewski420]

It really doesn't seem like there is much choice for Wright. If he can't crack the NHL lineup, after his AHL and World Juniors stint, then he has to go to the only place he can play games. It doesn't matter if it's against teens. He needs to play more. The way the Kraken are currently playing I think he will have a hard time getting very many minutes with the big club. Hope I am wrong and this whole process gets him where he is ready for full time NHL.

 

[DeadGhost]

This is going to be a tough spot for him. If he doesn't perform in the AHL things are going to get weird.

 

[The Marquis]

This is going to be a tough spot for him. If he doesn't perform in the AHL things are going to get weird.

Well, at worst he goes to the OHL, where he clearly can play.

 

[DeadGhost]

Well, at worst he goes to the OHL, where he clearly can play.

More referring to his confidence than the logistics of the remainder of his season