Penguins Show Interest in Kraken Center Shane Wright Amid Trade Talks

The Pittsburgh Penguins are reportedly eyeing a potential trade for young center Shane Wright, according to Josh Yohe of The Athletic. Citing two sources within the Penguins’ organization, Yohe revealed that general manager Kyle Dubas is intrigued by the 22-year-old as the offseason progresses.

However, the path to acquiring Wright may be challenging. The asking price for the promising center is described as “substantial, and possibly more than Pittsburgh is willing to pay.” Selected fourth overall by the Seattle Kraken in the 2022 NHL Draft, Wright has just completed his second season in the league, posting 27 points with 12 goals and 15 assists across 74 games as a bottom-six center for a Kraken team that missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year.

During the past season, Wright averaged 13:48 of ice time per game and contributed to the Kraken’s second power play unit. His agent, Kurt Overhardt, indicated earlier this month that Kraken general manager Jason Botterill has agreed to move Wright this summer, particularly to a team in need of a young top center.

Wright is currently under contract for one more season, entering the final year of his entry-level deal before hitting restricted free agency in 2027. Despite his limited production, the allure of acquiring a young forward on an expiring contract could attract several teams looking for center depth. According to Friedman, the Kraken have made it clear they expect a fair price for Wright and are not inclined to rush into a deal.

The Penguins have notable connections to the Kraken, including Botterill, who spent a decade with Pittsburgh before managing the Buffalo Sabres and later the Kraken. Additionally, Ron Francis, who oversaw the Kraken when they drafted Wright, recently joined the Penguins as a special advisor.

If Wright desires more ice time, the Penguins could offer him that opportunity. With Evgeni Malkin transitioning to the wing, the Penguins are slated to enter next season with Tommy Novak centering the second line, while Ben Kindel is the only young center option in their pipeline.

Pittsburgh has a strong reputation for revitalizing players who seek a change of scenery, as evidenced by the success of newcomers like Justin Brazeau, Anthony Mantha, Egor Chinakhov, Parker Wotherspoon, and Elmer Söderblom, all of whom achieved career-high point totals after joining the team.

While the Vancouver Canucks have been reported as Wright’s preferred destination, he currently holds no trade protections in the final year of his entry-level contract. Dubas acknowledged during last month’s NHL Draft that while the Penguins have explored trade opportunities, they have been limited by their assets. The question now remains whether Pittsburgh will pursue Wright to address their center depth issues, depending largely on what the Kraken are demanding to part with the young talent.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.