Is Shane Wright headed to the AHL soon?

Shane Wright, Seattle's 2023 first-round draft pick, was scratched for the 4th consecutive game last night... his 8th healthy scratch in the last 10 games.

Typically, something as mundane as being a healthy scratch isn't too newsworthy, until you consider...

Naturally, no professional hockey player wants to play anywhere but in the NHL, but the bigger questions are: what is best for Shane Wright's long-term development and what is best for the Seattle Kraken now?

Some argue that sending him back to the OHL would provide the young forward a plethora of ice time to regain his confidence and swagger — he's averaged just 8:05 of ice time in 7 appearances in the Kraken's lineup this season.

But keeping him in the NHL, with possibly a short stint in the AHL, keeps the 18-year-old forward training with bonafide pros and as an option to the Kraken lineup where he could still potentially leave his mark this season.

At this point, all signs point toward the Kraken scratching Wright another game, sending him to the Coachella Valley Firebirds for two weeks, and then loaning him to Team Canada for the World Juniors — all of which buys the Kraken time on making a longer-term decision on Wright's future.

And time is likely what the Kraken seek right now as they don't want to risk burning the first year of the rookie's entry-level contract — which automatically happens if he suits up in 10 NHL games this season — unless they're confident he'll be a contributor to the Kraken's pursuit of their first playoff berth. 

TRIVIA: How many NHL defensemen have recorded 40+ goals in a season?

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TRIVIA ANSWER:

2 NHL defensemen have scored 40+ goals in a season: Bobby Orr ('74-'75) and Paul Coffey ('83-'84 & '86-'86)