The Calgary Flames are knee-deep in a retooling phase, and while there are several areas that could use a boost, one need stands out above the rest: a top-line center. Scoring across the board has been inconsistent, but it’s that cornerstone pivot - the kind of player who can drive a line and tilt the ice - that’s missing from the Flames’ long-term blueprint.
Nazem Kadri has held down that role admirably since arriving in Calgary. He brings veteran savvy, playoff experience, and a competitive edge the team has leaned on.
But with Kadri turning 36 next season - and his name already surfacing in trade chatter - the Flames are clearly looking toward the future. The question is: who’s next in line?
That’s the challenge. Elite centers don’t grow on trees, and teams rarely give them up without a hefty price.
Drafting and developing one is usually the most reliable path - and that’s exactly what Calgary is hoping to do. At the 2025 NHL Draft, they doubled down on the position, selecting Cole Reschny and Cullen Potter, two promising young centers the organization is high on.
But as with any prospect, there are no guarantees. Even if one - or both - pan out, it’s going to take time before they’re ready to make a real impact at the NHL level.
But what if there's a shortcut?
Shane Wright May Be Available - And That Changes the Equation
Shane Wright’s name still carries weight in hockey circles. Ever since he was granted exceptional status to enter the OHL early back in 2019, he’s been on the radar as a future star.
For a while, he looked like a lock to go first overall in his draft year. But after a solid - though not spectacular - second season with the Kingston Frontenacs, doubts crept in.
On draft night, he slid to fourth overall, where the Seattle Kraken wasted no time snapping him up.
Wright’s journey since has been anything but linear. He started his pro career in the AHL, and after some seasoning, cracked the Kraken’s lineup full-time in 2024-25.
That rookie campaign was encouraging: 19 goals, 44 points in 79 games - not eye-popping numbers, but a strong foundation to build on. It looked like he was settling in as a reliable NHL center with upside.
This season, however, has been a different story. Through 52 games, Wright has just seven goals and 18 points.
The offensive step forward many expected hasn’t materialized, and now his future in Seattle is murky. The Kraken, still very much in the playoff hunt in the Western Conference, are looking to add scoring before the deadline - and according to multiple reports, they’re open to moving Wright to make that happen.
As Elliotte Friedman put it on the 32 Thoughts podcast: “The Shane Wright stuff - that he’s available and out there and the Kraken are considering moving him - that’s real.”
**Would Wright Make Sense for Calgary? Absolutely.
Can They Make It Happen? That’s the Problem.
**
On paper, Wright checks a lot of boxes for the Flames. He’s young, has top-six potential, and still carries the pedigree of a high draft pick.
Sure, his faceoff numbers need work, but that’s not unusual for a 22-year-old center. The tools are there - it’s just a matter of putting them together.
But here’s the catch: Seattle wants scoring help in return, and that’s not something Calgary has in abundance. Blake Coleman could be an option - he’s been productive and brings playoff experience - but at 34 years old and with just one 50-point season to his name, it’s hard to imagine the Kraken giving up on Wright for that kind of return.
If the Flames want to make a serious offer, the conversation likely starts with Matt Coronato.
That’s where things get tricky.
Coronato, 23, had a breakout year in 2024-25 with 24 goals and 47 points in 77 games. He’s taken a bit of a step back this season, but he’s still producing - 14 goals and 28 points - and remains one of Calgary’s most promising young forwards. He’s not just a scorer; he’s a player the organization sees as part of the core moving forward.
Trading Coronato for Wright would be a bold swing - maybe too bold. Both players are still developing, and while Wright’s ceiling might be higher, Coronato’s floor looks more stable right now. Unless Seattle is willing to take a package built around lesser assets - say, Coleman and a draft pick - this is a deal Calgary should be cautious about.
Could talks heat up again in the offseason if Wright isn’t moved by the deadline? Absolutely. But right now, the price just doesn’t line up with where the Flames are in their rebuild.
Wright remains an intriguing target, and if his development clicks, he could become the kind of top-line center Calgary’s been searching for. But until the cost comes down - or the Flames’ situation changes - this is one move that feels more like a summer discussion than a deadline splash.