NHL Trade Rumor: NY Rangers & Kraken 1-for-1 Deal Proposed

With the New York Rangers new 'retooling' plan going into effect, several notable names have become prime trade fodder. Not the least of which is a former No. 1 overall draft pick, Alexis Lafreniere. After what looked like a potential breakout season two years ago, Lafreniere has slipped back down into the 'big disappointment' category, and just looks like one of those players who needs a fresh start elsewhere.

The same could be said for Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright. We heard earlier this week that they are certainly open to trading the former 4th-overall selection (2022 NHL Draft). He has just 7 goals and 17 points this season.

Do those two situations dovetail into a potential deal? Insider Elliotte Friedman certainly thinks so. Speaking on his 32 Thoughts podcast on Friday, Friedman proposed a one-for-one trade that would see two talented youngsters landing in a fresh new situation to try to reach their projected heights.

The Kraken have never had that dynamic young scorer. And I think they're hoping that Wright can get them that (in a trade). (I was asked) 'Could you see them doing Wright for Lafreniere?' I don't know how both teams feel... But when I thought about that, that's not the worst idea I've ever heard... Both players could use a change of scenery... I think there's logic behind it.

On The Fan Hockey Show, he added that "you've got two young guys that are struggling in their current situation, and they're both high picks."

Is Lafreniere, the No. 1 pick in 2020, able to be the big offensive scorer that Seattle is looking for? He tore it up in junior hockey, but that was a long time ago now. He popped 28 goals for the Rangers two years ago, but since then has dropped to 17 last season, and is stuck at just 10 goals in another down season this year.

Wright has certainly had his own troubles in Seattle finding his niche in that lineup. His ice time is way down this year, to just 9:57 and 12:14 in the Kraken's last two games. But as a young center with an elite pedigree, he's still got plenty of value on the market. "His price is still high," said Friedman.

The proposal does make a lot of sense.