Shane Wright Faces Pressure to Prove "Generational" Talent
Shane Wright's past statements prior to being picked by the Seattle Kraken have resurfaced, casting him in a negative light as he tris to make his name in the NHL.
Wright's journey in junior hockey took off when he was granted special status, letting him join the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs at just 15-a rare chance that came with big expectations.
He mostly met those expectations, but during his draft year, his progress slowed. Scouts and analysts started questioning how good he could really be, causing him to drop in the draft rankings. Despite this, Wright stayed confident, believing he still deserved to be the top pick.
"I believe that's where I should go. I believe that I'm the best player. I believe that, you know, throughout my play, throughout my entire life, it has shown that I'm the best player, and I'm a competitive guy, and I want to be that spot, and I don't want anyone to take that from me, and I believe that I'm deserving of being that number one spot, and I believe that I'm going to be the first pick."
He also said, "I'm still a player that I should be. I'm still a generational talent."
Despite his confidence, Wright fell to the 4th overall pick by the Seattle Kraken, and since then, he's been working to back up his bold claims. As the 2023 offseason went on, some fans started looking back at his past comments, criticizing his slower progress.
In 2023-24, Wright finally finished his first full season of pro hockey, spending most of it in the AHL with the Coachella Valley Firebirds. He scored 47 points in 59 games-good numbers for most 20-year-old prospects. But since he was once called a generational talent, fans expected more, especially when comparing him to players like Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, and Connor Bedard, who had already made a mark in the NHL by age 20.
Heading into the new NHL season, Wright is set to get more time with the Kraken. This season could be crucial in showing whether he can live up to the hype of being a generational talent.
Here is what he said during a podcast a few weeks ago:
