The Seattle Kraken have not handled rookie Shane Wright well thus far this season. The lack of ice time and opportunity is going to take a toll on his development if it continues this way. Jeff Mark stated “this is a story where everyone involved seems to be frustrated. Shane Wright and the Seattle Kraken are playing against the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight and Shane Wright is not playing. scratched for the third time in a row. He’s played five games and has averaged 6:50 of ice time. General manager Ron Francis said 6-7 minutes a night is not ideal, they would like to get that up to the 10-12 minute mark. Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL, that’s where he would be sent down if he goes. I don’t think that’s what Francis wants to do that, he wants to keep him for the season.”
The problem I see here is that Francis has the ability to force change. He has the power to get Wright in the lineup at the very least, even if he doesn’t get more playing time. But for a fourth overall pick that is far too good for the OHL, he has to stick around. Typically top prospects get at least third line minutes when first entering the NHL. That way they have better linemates, ice time, and opportunity to grow. The way the Kraken have handled Wright, he is not only sitting out games, he is getting less ice time than fourth liners.
Kraken Have Too Many Good Forward Options
The Kraken had an underrated offseason adding key forwards like Oliver Bjorkstrand, Andre Burkovsky, Daniel Sprong, and introducing Matty Beniers and Wright into the lineup. While Bjorkstrand and Burakovsky are great additions, bringing in Sprong and Bring back Ryan Donato just adds so many bodies into the mix. Among the 14 forwards who are rostered, Wright has played the least number of games, tied with Sprong. The difference is when Wright plays a game, he averages 6:50. Only one other forward even averages under 10:40 per game, Morgan Geekie (9:38).
This lack of opportunity for Wright is not only on Dave Hakstol, but Francis as well. The Kraken are trying to make a quick turnaround after their first season in the NHL didn’t go as planned. They are 5-4-2, tied for the eighth-most points in the league, but at what cost? Will they be able to sustain the solid play and will it have a longstanding negative effect on Wright?
How the Kraken Can Clear Space
The Kraken have a number of good forward options, but mishandled the expansion draft and the players they signed to larger AAV contracts. Alex Wennberg and Joonas Donskoi are two prime examples. Donskoi will be difficult to move and not even worth it once he returns from injury. But he adds another body to the forward group. As for Wennberg, the team has many centermen who can fill his spot in the lineup.
The Kraken’s top three lines appear to play the same amount due to the talent available and lack of superstars. Despite logging the most minutes among forwards, Wennberg lacks goal-scoring and point production. If they were to move him with one more season left on his contract at $4.5 million, it would open up a third line spot at centre for Wright to get the ice time and opportunity he needs.
Related: NHL Rumors: Canucks’ Ownership Won’t Allow a Rebuild
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