Shane Wright Situation in Seattle Starting to Frustrate All Involved

Jeff Marek noted during the intermission and his 32 Thoughts segment with Elliotte Friedman that things in Seattle are getting frustrating for both the organization and prospect Shane Wright. A top draft pick with a high projected ceiling, Wright has been scratched for three straight games and all parties involved are starting to get annoyed with how his situation is being handled.

Marek says when it comes to Shane Wright it seems everyone involved is frustrated. His repeatedly being healthy and scratched is bad enough, but even when he is playing he’s averaging 6:51 TOI. In most situations, the player would be sent back to junior but Marek doesn’t think GM Ron Francis wants to send him back to Kingston. He would prefer to keep Wright for the season, burning a year off of his entry-level contract. As some might argue, learning the NHL ‘lifestyle’ and actively competing with NHL talent, with specialized NHL coaching is arguably more valuable than outperforming other players in the OHL, where Wright is too good to be.

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Most of the blame in the Seattle marketplace is going to head coach Dave Hakstol. The coach has justified not playing the young man by saying it was due to “making sure he’s got positive opportunities to be in the lineup.” Still, if Francis wants the coach to play Wright more, but Hakstol is simply refusing to, there’s clearly a disconnect between the coach and GM. Some are arguing Hakstol is not only unproven but lacks the skills and knowledge to develop young players and has control over both Matty Beniers and Shane Wright’s young careers.

Meanwhile, Wright is wasting away in the press box not getting any valuable playing time. This is not to say that Wright is entitled to ice time, but an argument can be made that improving will only come with playing and whether that’s in the NHL or elsewhere, it’s best to get him on the ice.

And, because Wright can’t go to the AHL because of an agreement between the NHL and CHL, this is a stickier spot than it might otherwise be if Wright could play against players at his level.

Shane Wright’s NHL Career Off to a Bumpy Start

Needless to say, Shane Wright’s NHL career is off to a rough start. After being drafted fourth overall and making the team out of training camp, the 18-year-old has been out of the lineup for four of the nine games the team has played so far.

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