NHL Trade Rumors: Shane Wright Lands in Winnipeg in Proposed Trade

Shane Wright had a nice little burst heading into the Olympic break for the Seattle Kraken. He had only seven goals and 18 points in the first 52 games, before a run of four goals in the team's final four games going into the recess.

Overall, however, the former 4th overall pick (2022 NHL Draft) has been a big disappointment in Seattle, and word started to spread last month that the Kraken were willing to move on from Wright in the right deal (i.e. for some real scoring punch).

With that, insider Chris Johnston of The Athletic has proposed a trade for the Kraken with the Winnipeg Jets, that he could see making sense for both sides.

Winnipeg Jets receive:

Shane Wright, C

Seattle Kraken receive:

Cole Perfetti, C

It's a gamble the Jets should take, according to Johnston.

The Jets need to search out opportunities amid a step-back season, and the possibility of bringing in Wright could put the organization on a stronger footing moving forward. For starters, the perpetual cycle of needing to acquire a second-line center at the trade deadline every year would immediately be stopped.

Wright seemed to be close to a breakthrough in 2024-25, with 19 goals and 44 points for Seattle in his first full season in the NHL. He's in the middle of his three-year, entry-level contract.

For the Kraken, Johnston calls Perfetti an "enticing" return. They'd be getting another former first-rounder who is also having a down season.

After a promising 50-point campaign in 2024-25, the 24-year-old has struggled this year, managing only six goals and 18 points in 42 games. Certainly, a high ankle sprain has impacted his performance and skating, contributing to his issues this year. But Perfetti seemed to be turning things around a bit heading into the break, with two goals and three points in the last three games. He even registered a season-high 20 minutes of ice time in the finale heading into the Olympic interlude.

He proved the previous two seasons that he could find the net, with 37 combined goals. Perfetti is a restricted free agent after the season.