The Seattle Kraken, who just traded for one winger, Mackie Samoskevich, and signed another just before he reached free agency, Bobby McMann, aren’t done wheeling and dealing.
That’s according to our own Simmer, the most well-connected reporter in Seattle hockey media. Here’s what Rob wrote on June 19 about Kraken center Shane Wright. “That formula for the future might unfold in Philadelphia. There is still a strong sense that Wright gets traded before the summer is over.”
Why Kraken May Have Found Trading Partner
Let’s connect some dots, and see if an image forms.
Dot 1, from David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period: “Young centre Shane Wright is still available and remains open to a move. (Kraken general manager Jason) Botterill prefers to package him in a larger deal for a top-tier forward and he continues to scour the market. Teams continue to poke, and sources say the Philadelphia Flyers recently entered the chat, and trade discussions should pick up this week.”
Dot 2, from Daily Faceoff, on why the Flyers might be in the market: “There is a glaring hole down the middle of the lineup for GM ’Danny Briere’s club. Available pivots are few and far between across the league.”
Dot 3, from Flyers site Broad St. Hockey, on why Philly might see Wright as a fit. “Maybe they see an even higher ceiling for Wright and want to add him into the mix and in a system that they think he can thrive in, since that certainly wasn’t happening in Seattle.”
Dot 4 is my own, regarding less than expected production from the 22-year-old 4th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. “The cold, hard offensive statistics – 12 goals, 15 assists in 74 games – would indicate Wright regressed in 2025-26. The promise of more was stirred the previous season. Wright scored in three consecutive December, 2023 road games, finishing with 19 goals and 25 assists. Seven of those goals came on the power play.
But that was under coach Dan Bylsma, brought in to goose the Kraken’s anemic offense. Last year, he operated under (Kraken coach Lane) Lambert’s more buttoned-up defensive systems.”
The rest of my story explored Lambert’s contention that the numbers alone didn’t reflect Wright’s improved 200-foot game. That doesn’t change the fact that the Burlington, Ontario native, who also was reportedly on the block at last March’s trade deadline, might be at the end of his Kraken tenure.
The 2026 NHL Draft begins Friday. Free agency opens July 1. The Seattle Kraken makeover continues. Stay tuned.
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken Deal: Will The Real Bobby McMann Please Stand Up
