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

[The Marquis]

 

[BeniersIsKraken]

I'd prefer Peterborough over Barrie. Barrie would still be better than Kingston, and anything can happen in the playoffs, but there's more talent in Peterborough. Simpson has been one of the best OHL goalies this season and Wright could be reunited with his WJC teammate, Othmann. Aside from those two, I just feel like there's more offensive talent at Peterborough to play alongside in Connor Lockhart (VAN), Chase Stillman (NJ) and J.R. Avon (PHI).

A lot of people only look at the box scores.

Personally, having watched a bit of this IIHF U20 tourney, I saw this player in good defensive positions, winning puck battles, and skating it out or otherwise making good transition plays.

He doesn't seem like a prolific scorer (a la Zegras) nor really dominant in one area, but in a U20 tournament which is typically full of errors he stood out as a very solid and mature player. A great choice for the 'C' for Canada. That comes with a lot of pressure and responsibility.

This is exactly my concern too. His goal in the WJC final shows that he has the creativity and can use his skill when he wants to. I think he just plays it too safe and needs to build confidence so that he can do that at the AHL + NHL level and not just rely on his shot.

It became painfully clear in the WJC elimination games that Wright's line mates were just not up to his level (the entire line only scored 1 even strength goal all tournament). He created plenty of chances for them, but they would often miss those golden chances by shooting wide or waiting too long to take the shot. On paper, Guenther is a NHL player and should be a good offensive lineman for Wright, but Guenther's decision making with the puck is very questionable unless he's taking a shot (usually on the PP).

This isn't an excuse for Wright either. He missed a couple clear chances himself and should have put up more points in the tourney. He played with plenty of skill and creativity in his draft year, so he probably just needs to regain that confidence and continue to test the limits of what he can and can't do with the puck.

 

[Scomerica]

I've only been following hockey for a season and a half but my god there are some terrible takes on social media. Either people calling him a bust (usually people from Montreal wanting to feel better about their pick) or people criticizing the Kraken for moving him down. The Kraken are in a play off hunt and exceeding all preseason expectations. There's no one i'd want to drop minutes wise for him and playing him on the 4th line won't help him much. If it was last seasons form and team you could make a case since it was a lost season but not this season. This is the right move until he is ready for the AHL. Maybe re-assess again where he is at in preseason.

In some was I can't help think Wrights being picked by Seattle will help him long term. If a Canadian team picked him he would always be around the hype and pressure.

 

[Sideline]

That's baloney. Shane is still at an early stage in his development when it comes to protecting the puck, challenging defenders, and finding ways to extend plays. Practice against junior competition is perhaps what he needs to the most. I would love to see him learn how to run up the score, it will give him tools he can adapt to the NHL someday. Expecting him to try things for the first time vs NHL comp is unrealistic. We'd be setting him up to be a very conservative player. Wennberg with a shot.

There is a big gap between major junior and the AHL. I didn't mean to imply he's anywhere close to a finished product. One of the bigger holes I saw in his game was faceoffs. If all he did this year was eat on a professional nutrition plan, live in an NHL weight room, and practice faceoffs with NHL players I think he would get a lot out of this year. I would bet it's more than he would get out of riding buses around Ontario to rag doll 16 year old centres Owen Sound or dangle around 17 year old defencemen in North Bay.

But at the end of the day it depends on his mindset. If he's growing his game and not discouraged sitting in the press box my plan can work. If he's getting down on himself or regressing in other areas, then being the big fish in a small pond is right call.

Either way, you guys have a good one here. I look forward to watching him for years to come.

 

[StreetHawk]

I've only been following hockey for a season and a half but my god there are some terrible takes on social media. Either people calling him a bust (usually people from Montreal wanting to feel better about their pick) or people criticizing the Kraken for moving him down. The Kraken are in a play off hunt and exceeding all preseason expectations. There's no one i'd want to drop minutes wise for him and playing him on the 4th line won't help him much. If it was last seasons form and team you could make a case since it was a lost season but not this season. This is the right move until he is ready for the AHL. Maybe re-assess again where he is at in preseason.

In some was I can't help think Wrights being picked by Seattle will help him long term. If a Canadian team picked him he would always be around the hype and pressure.

Normally Wright can’t be a full time AHLer until the 24-25 season. He would either have to be in the NHL or Back in the OHL next season.

But he was granted exceptional status and this year in 22-23 would be his 4th in the chl. But he missed all of the 20-21 season as all OHLers did. I don’t recall if doing 4 year in the chl would allow him to go to the A next season. Only a handful of exemption status out there.

 

[RainyCityHockey]

Good decision by the team and maybe even the plan all along.
I mean as soon as we started winning all those games and with Wright showing he needs some more work to be a full time NHL player.

A mistake. But whatever. All i see it is delaying the adjustment he needs to get better against NHLers. He won't get that in the OHL. With that said i am bowing out of this thread.

How is this a mistake?
And how should he adjust against NHL players if he maybe plays one out of four and about nine minutes?

If you wanted to keep Wright not just around but also play him there would've only been two options.
1) Trade someone.
2) sit someone in favour of Wright, no matter the outcome.

Both options aren't likely for a team that is in the playoff picture especially thanks to the depth around and all four lines working.

Wright will get the best thing for him and his development and that's consistant playing time every time his OHL team has a game.
That's exactly what he needs and has helped countless players being more prepared for their NHL careers.

Who do you want to bench on our team so that Wright gets minutes? This team has 13 forwards on the roster right now and is in a race for a playoff spot.

And we all know that he CANNOT play in the AHL. The OHL may not be what we all want but it is the best way to get him playing time and work on refining his skills further.

Yeah.
In order to play Wright you would either have to trade or sit someone just so he can play.

That's not all that realistic and the latter(sitting someone) is not going to happen by an NHL coach as they need to win games to keep their jobs.

Anyways, at least this topic's now over with and I hope Wright plays many games, is able to work on his game and come back more prepared(skill and phyiscally) for next season.

 

[Scomerica]

Good decision by the team and maybe even the plan all along.
I mean as soon as we started winning all those games and with Wright showing he needs some more work to be a full time NHL player.



How is this a mistake?
And how should he adjust against NHL players if he maybe plays one out of four and about nine minutes?

If you wanted to keep Wright not just around but also play him there would've only been two options.
1) Trade someone.
2) sit someone in favour of Wright, no matter the outcome.

Both options aren't likely for a team that is in the playoff picture especially thanks to the depth around and all four lines working.

Wright will get the best thing for him and his development and that's consistant playing time every time his OHL team has a game.
That's exactly what he needs and has helped countless players being more prepared for their NHL careers.



Yeah.
In order to play Wright you would either have to trade or sit someone just so he can play.

That's not all that realistic and the latter(sitting someone) is not going to happen by an NHL coach as they need to win games to keep their jobs.

Anyways, at least this topic's now over with and I hope Wright plays many games, is able to work on his game and come back more prepared(skill and phyiscally) for next season.

I kind of get the impression the team is a little ahead of schedule on where the GM thought they'd be but not necessarily ownership who I think may have been demanding it. Clinching a play off spot this year buys the likes of Hakstol (who probably had some pressure on him at the start of the season) and Francis a lot of goodwill and time/benefit of the doubt. I just don't see any way the coach was going to try develop youngsters (and take the good and bad that comes with that) while in the midst of a play off race.

If it was a repeat of last seasons form then I could see it but in that case Hakstol wouldn't likely be here by now.

 

[GrungeHockey]

Team made the right move here. All is well. No need to worry either. Many good players have been sent back to junior at his age. The idea that he was maybe NHL ready was perhaps the lofty and unrealistic one.

If any of you ever get discouraged about him just think of Tage Thompson. Took him to age 24.

(not comparing them stylistically, just in terms of age and development)

 

[RainyCityHockey]

I kind of get the impression the team is a little ahead of schedule on where the GM thought they'd be but not necessarily ownership who I think may have been demanding it. Clinching a play off spot this year buys the likes of Hakstol (who probably had some pressure on him at the start of the season) and Francis a lot of goodwill and time/benefit of the doubt. I just don't see any way the coach was going to try develop youngsters (and take the good and bad that comes with that) while in the midst of a play off race.

1) I agree.
I think the team just made a huge jump(so far) and even the most positive people wouldn't have predicted a 60 point team to already have 48 points after 37 games.

2) I also agree that ownership wanted success faster and pushed Francis a bit to speed up the process through free agency.

3) Yes, it would give both Francis and Hakstol more time and goodwill with ownership.
Especially if we might have problems next year given that success isn't linear and we still have problems that can get you into trouble and fast.

4) No coach would play and force a young player into the lineup unless he's being told so by his GM.
And GM's only do so if they're in a clear rebuild and have the green light to act like that by ownership.

So Hakstol(who knows that you need wins to keep your job as an NHL coach) wouldn't have done that and Francis also gave Hakstol way too many options for the bottom six to not go with the more veteran players.

 

[AarG]

 

[majormajor]

I would bet it's more than he would get out of riding buses around Ontario to rag doll 16 year old centres Owen Sound or dangle around 17 year old defencemen in North Bay.

I watched him last year and he didn't ragdoll those players often (more often Shane was the one who got outworked), and he rarely ever dangled anyone. He has a lot of things that he can improve at that level before he gets to the point where I'd say he's too good for junior.

 

[BeniersIsKraken]

It’s amazing when stats back up the eye test. I was very impressed with Wright’s all around game the entire tournament.

 

[BeniersIsKraken]

Wright to Peterborough makes too much sense. Reunite him with his WJC and Don Mills Flyers AAA teammate, Othmann.

Though Brandt Clarke, another WJC and former Don Mills Flyers AAA teammate, was just assigned back to Barrie too.

 

[NiagaraKraken]

Excited to see where he gets traded to. Maybe the team he gets traded to might play Hamilton or Niagara. Definitely going to go see Wright live if they do.

 

[99GoHabsGo99]

I thought Shane Wright played exactly the style we were led to believe he was... Patrice Bergeron.

He was exceptional defensively and that goal he scored in the last game was an amazing effort, Guy all over him and he just fought it off and had the amazing rocket backhand.

I became a big fan of him as a player and a person leading up to the draft year knowing the Habs had a chance to get him, I hope he turns out good for you guys.

Such a crazy draft, We don't know who is gonna do what but I think you guys def got a very solid piece no matter what.. Will be following his career closely.

Will be interesting to see in 5 years how Slafkovsky/Wright/Nemac/Cooley are doing

 

[BeniersIsKraken]

Not to take anything away from Bedard, who was by far the most outstanding player at the tournament and clearly an elite to generational type prospect, but seeing the analytics behind his line mates is also important when evaluating Wright.

Guenther hasn’t been profiled yet, but as you can see from Othmann, Wright wasn’t working with as much. Stankoven and Roy both had better WJC performances (I’d imagine Guenther would be close to on par with Roy or just lower).

However, the argument could be made that Bedard made his line mates better than Wright did too. In either case, it helps to evaluate these analytics charts against what we saw at the WJC.

 

[RainyCityHockey]

Not to take anything away from Bedard, who was by far the most outstanding player at the tournament and clearly an elite to generational type prospect, but seeing the analytics behind his line mates is also important when evaluating Wright.

Guenther hasn’t been profiled yet, but as you can see from Othmann, Wright wasn’t working with as much. Stankoven and Roy both had better WJC performances (I’d imagine Guenther would be close to on par with Roy or just lower).

However, the argument could be made that Bedard made his line mates better than Wright did too. In either case, it helps to evaluate these analytics charts against what we saw at the WJC.

I know +/- isn't the greatest stat but on a team that was +27 Dylan Gunther was the only guy posting a minus, with a -1.

Overall it seems like Wright actually is that more responsible 200 feet player that needs play drivers next to him(to create offense for his shot) and that's why he's not looking good on a line that doesn't really have a guy doing that.

Still, I think he should be a good one for us and with Beniers around as well there's a good chance we have a very good 1-2 punsh down the middle for the next 7 - 10 years.

 

[Irie]

Overall it seems like Wright actually is that more responsible 200 feet player that needs play drivers next to him(to create offense for his shot) and that's why he's not looking good on a line that doesn't really have a guy doing that.

Still, I think he should be a good one for us and with Beniers around as well there's a good chance we have a very good 1-2 punsh down the middle for the next 7 - 10 years.

This is my concern.

Wright is a great prospect with fantastic goal scoring ability.

If Francis keeps him in the NHL, he is going to solely work on using that skill to help the team and likely does not develop other facets of offense. While having a high end goal scorer in Wright on the team would be nice, I think we all hoped for a more complete offensive package as a center for this team going forward when he was drafted.

If they can convince him to hold the puck more and create his own space, I think he could develop into something really special. Offensively, he seems to read the game pretty well, but does not want the puck on his stick to drive the play. He can learn this in Juniors, where I do not think he would even be inclined to try at the NHL level.

 

[BeniersIsKraken]

I know +/- isn't the greatest stat but on a team that was +27 Dylan Gunther was the only guy posting a minus, with a -1.

Overall it seems like Wright actually is that more responsible 200 feet player that needs play drivers next to him(to create offense for his shot) and that's why he's not looking good on a line that doesn't really have a guy doing that.

Still, I think he should be a good one for us and with Beniers around as well there's a good chance we have a very good 1-2 punsh down the middle for the next 7 - 10 years.

This is more or less correct. I’d say the additional play drivers will not only help generate better scoring chances for him, but also give him better chances to showcase his playmaking ability on the scoresheet.

This is my concern.

Wright is a great prospect with fantastic goal scoring ability.

If Francis keeps him in the NHL, he is going to solely work on using that skill to help the team and likely does not develop other facets of offense. While having a high end goal scorer in Wright on the team would be nice, I think we all hoped for a more complete offensive package as a center for this team going forward when he was drafted.

If they can convince him to hold the puck more and create his own space, I think he could develop into something really special. Offensively, he seems to read the game pretty well, but does not want the puck on his stick to drive the play. He can learn this in Juniors, where I do not think he would even be inclined to try at the NHL level.

It doesn’t work like that. Play driving isn’t typically a skill you can just develop in any league once you’re drafted. You either have it or you don’t.

Wright’s style isn’t to be a puck dominant player. He likes to keep the puck moving and has the maturity and intelligence for when to hold onto it vs. release it. He also generates a lot of chances from his ability to read the game in the offensive zone (either by picking up loose pucks or by creating turnovers).

Now, if what you’re saying is you want him to improve his ability when he decides to hold onto the puck, this is possible, but it’s relatively incremental. He’s already good at it, but his offensive game is more dependent on who he’s playing with than some other elite prospects.

There are players who typically make the offense of those around them better and then there are players whose offensive games are lifted when playing with better offensive players (to a degree this is true for any player). Wright falls into the latter category, but he can still be the main offensive threat on his line regardless (if that makes sense).

 

[Irie]

It doesn’t work like that. Play driving isn’t typically a skill you can just develop in any league once you’re drafted. You either have it or you don’t.

Wright’s style isn’t to be a puck dominant player. He likes to keep the puck moving and has the maturity and intelligence for when to hold onto it vs. release it. He also generates a lot of chances from his ability to read the game in the offensive zone (either by picking up loose pucks or by creating turnovers).

Now, if what you’re saying is you want him to improve his ability when he decides to hold onto the puck, this is possible, but it’s relatively incremental. He’s already good at it, but his offensive game is more dependent on who he’s playing with than some other elite prospects.

There are players who typically make the offense of those around them better and then there are players whose offensive games are lifted when playing with better offensive players (to a degree this is true for any player). Wright falls into the latter category, but he can still be the main offensive threat on his line regardless (if that makes sense).

I would have to completely disagree with this position. I started playing organized hockey at 8 and played through college. I coached youth hockey for nearly 10 years, and I played with many players and watched many kids develop the ability to drive play long after the age of 18.

If you are relating the ability to recognize the timing and space and parlay that into play-driving, I would say that it is still something players can and often do learn after 18, (In fact, I would argue that most players make their largest strides between the ages of 18 and 24, and many players adjust and find their calling as line drivers at 26+), but some young players do have the skill to read the play well and some don't.

From the limited amount of times I have watch Wright play, I think he has the ability to read the play as it develops, and he is able to find the open lanes and break to scoring areas as the plays are developing, which tells me that he has enough hockey sense to understand timing and space, but he seems to have an aversion to carrying the puck and taking control of the game in that manner.

He just turned 19. His mental aspect and control of the game is barely developed in terms of what it could eventually become if he works on different aspects of his game.

What I do believe is that a player has to be completely comfortable in the speed and timing of a league before they can start to contemplate experimenting to expand their own game. A lot of people argue that is what practices are for, but NHL practices are few and far between, and often too structured for the type of improvising that players require to practice new skillsets. The offseason is a good time, but a lot of players aren't in large enough offseason skating programs for them to take advantage of the situation to further their skills in such a manner.

I will argue that for a guy like Wright, who is being portrayed as possibly "too good" for juniors, now, back in the OHL is the perfect time for him to experiment and work on all kinds of facets that will expand his talent diversity for the future.

 

[BeniersIsKraken]

I would have to completely disagree with this position. I started playing organized hockey at 8 and played through college. I coached youth hockey for nearly 10 years, and I played with many players and watched many kids develop the ability to drive play long after the age of 18.

If you are relating the ability to recognize the timing and space and parlay that into play-driving, I would say that it is still something players can and often do learn after 18, (In fact, I would argue that most players make their largest strides between the ages of 18 and 24, and many players adjust and find their calling as line drivers at 26+), but some young players do have the skill to read the play well and some don't.

From the limited amount of times I have watch Wright play, I think he has the ability to read the play as it develops, and he is able to find the open lanes and break to scoring areas as the plays are developing, which tells me that he has enough hockey sense to understand timing and space, but he seems to have an aversion to carrying the puck and taking control of the game in that manner.

He just turned 19. His mental aspect and control of the game is barely developed in terms of what it could eventually become if he works on different aspects of his game.

What I do believe is that a player has to be completely comfortable in the speed and timing of a league before they can start to contemplate experimenting to expand their own game. A lot of people argue that is what practices are for, but NHL practices are few and far between, and often too structured for the type of improvising that players require to practice new skillsets. The offseason is a good time, but a lot of players aren't in large enough offseason skating programs for them to take advantage of the situation to further their skills in such a manner.

I will argue that for a guy like Wright, who is being portrayed as possibly "too good" for juniors, now, back in the OHL is the perfect time for him to experiment and work on all kinds of facets that will expand his talent diversity for the future.

We'll have to agree to disagree then because I've been in the CHL, Junior and College game as well and I've rarely seen one player suddenly become a play driver with age. It's either a skill the player already has developed and can refine or something they'll never really thrive at. Your original comment was that he should learn to become a play driver in his return to the OHL - my argument is that he already has that ability in his locker and has demonstrated it when the situation is right (and he can still improve it).

An ability to hold onto the puck isn't what I'm terming as a "play driver". A consistent play driver (for me) is someone who constantly wants to drive the team forward and be the main catalyst with the puck (i.e. a puck dominant player). Beniers would be a great example of a "play driver".

I made the comment that Wright is the type of player whose offensive game shines when he's around better players, which directly coincides with not being a natural, consistent play driver. It's not that he has an aversion to carrying the puck and controlling the game - it's that he's at his best without the puck when he has time and is able to use his elite hockey sense to read and assess play (typically without the puck). He's not the same type of player that we've seen in many other top prospects - what makes him unique is that he doesn't actually need control of the puck as often to impact the game.

 

[The Marquis]

I’ll freely admit I didn’t actually read any of the last like ten posts… but I hope he’s traded to a competitor.

 

[Irie]

I’ll freely admit I didn’t actually read any of the last like ten posts… but I hope he’s traded to a competitor.

Some moderator you are....

But seriously, kid is going to be fine, and this move should be good for him. I think he will be hungry, the team gets time to reset his development and not rush him, and there is no pressure to play him over other players that are currently more effective at the NHL level.

I honestly cant see a downside here.

 

[RainyCityHockey]

I’ll freely admit I didn’t actually read any of the last like ten posts… but I hope he’s traded to a competitor.

Well, you know, it was about....

 

[The Marquis]

Well, you know, it was about....

I got you.


Shane Wright.