With the NHL Trade Deadline looming, the Pittsburgh Penguins find themselves in an intriguing position. They’ve got cap space to work with and a front office led by Kyle Dubas that’s clearly focused on building a younger, faster, more dynamic core. If the Seattle Kraken are seriously entertaining offers for Shane Wright, the Penguins should be one of the first teams on the phone.
Wright, still just 22, fits the profile of exactly the kind of player Dubas has been targeting in this transitional phase for Pittsburgh - young, skilled, and in need of a fresh start. The Penguins have made it a point to pursue players who haven’t yet hit their prime but show the kind of upside that could blossom in the right environment. Wright checks every box.
His NHL journey so far hasn’t gone quite according to plan. Through 143 games over four seasons with Seattle, Wright has posted 31 goals and 37 assists - solid numbers, but not quite the breakout many expected when he entered the league with top-tier pedigree.
This season, he’s managed 7 goals and 10 assists in 48 games. Not terrible, but it’s clear the fit in Seattle hasn’t been ideal.
That’s where Pittsburgh could step in.
With the right move, Wright could slot directly into the Penguins’ top six. A potential deal involving a veteran like Anthony Mantha - who’s on a one-year contract - could open up the space for Wright to come in and get meaningful minutes.
Mantha, while serviceable, is likely a trade chip anyway. Swapping him out for a player with Wright’s ceiling would align perfectly with the long-term vision Dubas is putting together.
Head coach Dan Muse could also be a key factor here. Muse has a strong track record when it comes to developing young talent, and Wright could benefit from a new voice and a system that plays to his strengths.
In Pittsburgh, he wouldn’t just be another name on the roster - he’d be a project with purpose. With the right guidance, he could rediscover the confidence and form that made him such a highly touted prospect in the first place.
And let’s be clear - the Penguins have the assets to get this done. Whether it’s draft capital, prospects, or movable veterans, they’ve got the flexibility to make a deal work if they decide Wright is worth the investment. Sure, there are bigger names out there - Jason Robertson being the dream scenario - but Wright represents a realistic, high-upside target who could grow with this new-look Penguins group.
Adding Shane Wright wouldn’t just be about this season. It would be a move for the future - a calculated bet on talent, development, and the belief that a change of scenery can unlock something special. If Dubas is serious about reshaping this roster for the next era of Penguins hockey, this is exactly the kind of move that could pay off in a big way.