Shane Wright is the perfect Rangers trade target

As the Olympic roster freeze nears, more and more players are rumored to be available. One that caught our attention was Shane Wright in Seatlle, who would be the perfect Rangers trade target. Seattle is rumored to be dangling Wright in exchange for a “legitimate top six threat,” which the Rangers just so happen to have available right now. As Chris Drury wants the Rangers to become younger and faster, it’s hard to find a more perfect Rangers trade target than Wright, who also fills a big position of need for the Blueshirts.

Wright has had a bit of a rough start to his career in Seattle. The former 4th overall pick in 2022–just 22 years old–is having a tough offensive year with just 7-10-17 in 49 games thus far, a big drop from his 19-25-44 in 79 games last season. It’s a drop off for sure, but some of that may be Seattle’s struggles this season, particularly when it comes to putting Wright in a position to succeed.

Wright has just one forward he’s played 200+ minutes with this season, and that’s Berkly Catton, a rookie and #8 overall pick in 2024. Catton has just 4-6-10 in 36 games this season, but has been an overall positive possession player, as Wright’s numbers do sink a bit without Catton.

There is a ton of nuance here. Wright has five other teammates who have shared 100+ minutes TOI with this season, and only two are actually top-nine players. Jani Nyman (143 minutes) is back in the AHL. Ryan Winterton (137 minutes) is on the fourth line. Kaapo Kakko (119 minutes, one of his current linemates) is a top-nine forward. Mason Marchment (115 minutes) was traded. Jared McCann (109 minutes) is a top line player and near a point per game.

For what it’s worth, Wright’s current line with Kakko and Jaden Schwartz have just 9 minutes TOI at 5v5.

Wright is the perfect Rangers trade target

The perfect Rangers trade targets are players with high ceilings that haven’t hit that mark yet. Wright is one of those players, showing a flash of what he can do in the right situation. Unfortunately Seattle isn’t run very well and they haven’t put him in a position to succeed with legitimate offensive threats this season.

While he may be the perfect Rangers trade target, Wright isn’t without his risks. He’s struggled defensively in Seattle, a team that hasn’t really been good defensively anyway. There’s also a strong argument that he’s not a play driver on offense, but over three years (left most chart) and this season (right most chart) he’s been fine enough and better than most Rangers forwards right now.

This year the pucks aren’t going in the net while Wright is on the ice, to the tune of a 7.92% on-ice shooting rate for the Kraken. Funny enough, the Rangers are struggling with their shooting rates too. So Wright would really fit right in, wouldn’t he?

Wright has a sky high ceiling that, should Seattle actually be dangling him for a top-six center, the Rangers should be all over. He’s the perfect Rangers trade target for this retool as a 22 year old center with talent, discipline, and a solid yet deceptive shot. Defense is a concern, but Wright was a well known two-way player in his draft year and Seattle again isn’t that great defensively. Mike Sullivan could bring that two-way game back very quickly.

There are two scenarios for the Rangers that make this work:

1. Vincent Trocheck is a legitimate top-six center that Seattle wants. Wright is a better player than anything Minnesota can offer right now.
2. Alexis Lafreniere is also a top-six threat that could benefit from a change of scenery trade.

Shane Wright is the perfect Rangers trade target if he is actually available. There aren’t many players of his pedigree and potential that are made available, and this is something Drury should pounce on.