Shane Wright, the Seattle Kraken’s highly touted 4th-overall NHL draft pick in 2022, is coming into his own. The recently turned 21-year-old center presently touts a career high six-game point streak after scoring two goals against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night at Climate Pledge Arena.
It’s possible we’ve written about Wright as much or more than any other player on the club over the last two years, which should come as no surprise given the original expectations for the Ontario Hockey League alum’.
His progress has been interesting to follow to say the least. Is there a comfort factor now 68 games into his NHL career, is he maturing on and off the ice, has he shed the pressure from those original expectations that projected him to go first overall in that NHL Draft.
I simply asked him after the 5-4 shoot-out loss to Detroit if he’s as confident now as he’s ever been in the NHL.
“I’d say so for sure,” he responded. “I think just overall, I’m really feeling comfortable and confident in my game and the role that I have on this team, And yeah, I’m just enjoying every day, I’m just soaking it in, just trying to be grateful. Learn as much as I can, just have fun, try not to think too much. Just go out, play hockey, and do my thing.”
The key word; confidence. It’s everything. Collective confidence for a team is momentum. The Kraken might not have that right now, but Wright is showing signs of consistency.
That’s two of the key C’s. Confidence, commitment, chemistry, camaraderie, coaching, consistency.
Forget about math and statistics. They’re meaningless without an understanding of what really matters. How a player engages and works on a consistent level.
After Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the Calgary Flames, I asked Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma about Wright’s recent play.
“I think tonight you saw maybe the highest battle level from him as the game wore on, especially in the second and the third,” Bylsma noted. “Yeah, the face off circle was a big play (one O-zone draw led directly to a goal), but there were three or four instances where he won pucks with his battle level, won pucks with his competitiveness, and was dangerous, dangerous making plays as a result.”
And that right there is the truest sign number-51 is headed in the right direction.
