Shane Wright ready to prove doubters wrong after failing to meet expectations
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Photo credit: Sportsnet
Shane Wright has not exactly met expectations so far in his NHL career, but he's ready to prove that he is still a top prospect and will be a top player in the league for years to come.
Obviously, expectations for Wright were high when the Kraken selected him 4th overall in the 2022 NHL draft. In fact, many scouts predicted he would go 1st overall, but the Montreal Canadiens chose Juraj Slafkovsky instead. Wright talked about the pressure that comes from these expectations and how he's handling it in a recent interview.
"Obviously there's outside expectations, the outside pressures. But at the end of the day I have my own expectations on myself and that's really what I've focused on - just go about my business day to day. It's certainly been a process for me, I've had to learn what it's like to be a pro, to take that next step, to be able to have success and be an impact player at that level."
Despite his lack of playing time in the NHL, many fans are showing support for Wright, with many even going so far as to say that he has become one of the league's more underrated players. The last two seasons have been key to his development as he has gotten time in the NHL while also playing big minutes for the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the AHL, which have gone on back-to-back Calder Cup finals runs.
Shane Wright is going to be fine.
It's an "I want it now" world, but player development moves on its own timeline.
He got excellent mentoring with Coachella Valley, came in at 19, and had a strong season. Two Calder Cup Finals.
Now ready to win a job at the ripe old age of 20.
It's an "I want it now" world, but player development moves on its own timeline.
He got excellent mentoring with Coachella Valley, came in at 19, and had a strong season. Two Calder Cup Finals.
Now ready to win a job at the ripe old age of 20.
Wright put up 22 goals and 47 points in 59 AHL games this season while also potting four goals in 8 NHL contests. He also played a huge role in the Calder Cup playoffs, posting 4 goals and 13 points in 12 games.
I truly think Shane Wright is the most underrated prospect in the NHL
It's crazy how people act like this kid is a bust despite getting 22 goals and 47 points in 59 games and 13 points in 12 games in the AHL playoffs
I still think he goes #2 in a redraft 5 years from now
It's crazy how people act like this kid is a bust despite getting 22 goals and 47 points in 59 games and 13 points in 12 games in the AHL playoffs
I still think he goes #2 in a redraft 5 years from now
With the American Hockey League slowly turning into the second-best hockey league in the world, these numbers are very reassuring for Wright. They are a very good indication that he will continue to be a point producer at the NHL level. As such, many Kraken fans may be pleasantly surprised when he comes up next season and has a huge rookie year.
Source: The Score
Wright: 'I've had to learn' how to be a pro
Wright: 'I've had to learn' how to be a pro
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 14 | 178 ANSWERS Shane Wright ready to prove doubters wrong after failing to meet expectations How many points do you think Shane Wright will score next season with the Seattle Kraken? | ||
| <20 | 39 | 21.9 % |
| 20-29 | 60 | 33.7 % |
| 30-39 | 52 | 29.2 % |
| 40+ | 27 | 15.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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