Unexpected transactions are part of the NHL offseason’s soundtrack, and expect the summer of 2024 to feature some eye-popping trades that few, if any of us, thought possible. For the Montreal Canadiens, I’ve talked about some potential trades regarding players who may already be on the block, most notably Trevor Zegras and Joel Farabee. One player not mentioned has been Shane Wright, even though his name has crept up a time or two in offseason trade rumors.
Now, if Seattle Kraken general manager Ron Francis traded Shane Wright, it would rank as one of the most shocking trades, if not the most shocking, of the summer. But even amidst mere whispers regarding Wright’s name and the fact he’s a youngster Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes would have a reason to trade for thanks to his age, is there really anything wrong with talking about the possibility?
One reason a trade like this wouldn’t be overtly farfetched is that Wright has yet to catch on in the NHL, and let’s remember something: Hughes drafted Juraj Slafkovsky over Wright, so perhaps he knew Wright wouldn’t develop as quickly as previously believed.
It would make sense for the Canadiens to at least inquire about Shane Wright
But then again, there’s also strong evidence pointing to the possibility that Ron Francis is being patient with Wright, and that’s okay. You may also point to Wright’s numbers, which included four goals and an assist in his eight games this season, but then you’ll check out the schedule and realize that all five points came against three of the six worst teams in hockey.
In two games against the Colorado Avalanche, one game vs. the Edmonton Oilers, one against the Los Angeles Kings, and another game vs. the San Jose Sharks, Wright accumulated exactly zero points and a minus-2 rating. Wright has been a force in Coachella Valley, however, where his head coach with the Firebirds, Dan Bylsma, will be in Seattle this year, and he also looked good at the World Juniors.
Everything in me is saying that Wright will stay put this year, but with a first-round pick Kent Hughes can ship without feeling too much guilt and some NHL-caliber prospects, especially at the blue line he may not have room for in the lineup, it’s something I wouldn’t rule out completely. The Habs have enough capital to make a trade like this happen, even if it would raise a lot of eyebrows.
(Statistics powered by Hockey-Reference and Elite Prospects)