The Seattle Kraken have reassigned forward Shane Wright to the Coachella Valley Firebirds — their AHL affiliate — on a conditioning loan, the team announced Sunday. Here’s what you need to know:
Wright, the No. 4 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, has recorded zero goals and one assist in seven games this season.
Wright has been a healthy scratch in the last five consecutive games, making him eligible for a maximum two-week conditioning stint in the AHL.
The Kraken sit in third place in the Pacific Division with 23 points this season, their second in the NHL.
The #SeaKraken have reassigned forward Shane Wright to the Coachella Valley @Firebirds on a conditioning loan. pic.twitter.com/e0NZxHit82 — Seattle Kraken PR (@SeattleKrakenPR) November 21, 2022
Backstory
Wright, who many thought would be picked No. 1 in 2022, heads to the AHL after general manager Ron Francis had previously said the 18-year-old would likely spend his entire rookie season in the NHL.
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“I don’t want to draw a line in the sand, but I would think he’s with us for the year,” Francis told The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun last month. “It’s just a matter of how things go and managing it. … But I think he’ll be fine. He’s fit right in. He does a lot of good things.”
Prior to getting drafted, Wright had earned exceptional status to play for the Kingston Frontenacs in the OHL.
What they’re saying
Kraken coach Dave Hakstol spoke about Wright’s situation at Saturday’s morning skate.
“We talk about Shane and his situation day in and day out,” Hakstol said. “His job is to go out and get a great work day in. We’re really aware that playing games and getting game time is really important, right? The game time that he has gotten here has been limited, but it’s been really valuable. Day in and day out, we see growth in him and we want to make sure that that growth continues.”
Required reading
(Photo: Sergei Belski / USA Today)