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Shane Wright #51 of the Seattle Kraken looks on during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on March 28, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rebecca Villagracia/Getty Images)
The New Jersey Devils can’t do anything at center until they hear from the Utah Mammoth on Barrett Hayton’s offer sheet. If Utah matches the contract, New Jersey will have to look elsewhere to add depth behind Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier.One player increasingly connected to that scenario is Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright. Wright has become a logical candidate for a trade, considering his contract value, age and remaining development potential, but no trade talks have been confirmed.
Why Shane Wright interests New Jersey Devils this NHL offseason
If Barrett Hayton stays with the Utah Mammoth, Shane Wright might become one of the more attractive options for the New Jersey Devils. Wright would give New Jersey another young center without tying up a lot of salary cap space, and would also provide room for long-term growth.
Barrett Hayton offer sheet decision could reshape New Jersey Devils plans
The Utah Mammoth still have the opportunity to match the Devils’ offer sheet for Barrett Hayton earlier this offseason. If Utah wants to keep the forward, New Jersey would have to go back to the trade market to find another center to help out the team’s top six.That makes Wright an interesting possibility. The former fourth-overall NHL Draft pick is still on an affordable contract and could be a useful addition should Seattle Kraken entertain trade offers.
| Category | Details |
| Player | Shane Wright |
| Current Team | Seattle Kraken |
| Position | Center |
| Shoots | Right |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Birthplace | Burlington, Ontario, Canada |
| Age | Born on January 5, 2004 |
| Draft Information | Selected 4th overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft by the Seattle Kraken. |
| Junior Team | Developed with the Kingston Frontenacs in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). |
| NHL Experience | Has steadily transitioned into a full-time NHL role after splitting time between junior hockey, the AHL, and the NHL early in his career. |
| 2025–26 NHL Stats | Recorded 12 goals, 15 assists, and 27 points in 74 games. |
| Career NHL Stats | Totaled 169 regular-season games, registering 36 goals, 42 assists, and 78 points entering the 2026-27 offseason. |
| Contract Status | Entering the 2026-27 season on the final year of his entry-level contract with a cap hit of approximately $886,667. |
| Why New Jersey Devils Are Interested | Could provide affordable center depth behind Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier while offering significant long-term upside. |
| Connection to Barrett Hayton | Wright has emerged as a potential alternative if the Utah Mammoth match the Barrett Hayton offer sheet submitted by the New Jersey Devils. |
| Seattle Kraken Position | The Kraken are reportedly willing to listen to offers but are expected to seek fair market value rather than move Wright at a discount. |
| Expected Trade Cost | Likely to require a second-round draft pick plus a quality prospect or young NHL player, depending on negotiations. |
| Playing Style | Intelligent two-way center known for strong hockey IQ, responsible defensive play, and offensive playmaking ability. |
| Strengths | Excellent puck distribution, positional awareness, faceoff potential, and ability to contribute in all three zones. |
| Potential Role with New Jersey Devils | Projects as a third-line center with opportunities on the second power-play unit and increased responsibility as he develops. |
| Why This Rumor Matters | Wright's affordable contract and remaining upside make him one of the more intriguing young centers linked to NHL trade rumors this offseason. |
| Potential NHL Impact | A successful move could strengthen the Devils' center depth while giving Wright a fresh opportunity to maximize his offensive potential in a new environment. |
Shane Wright offers New Jersey Devils long-term upside at center
Wright ended the 2025-26 NHL season with 12 goals and 15 assists over 74 games. His underlying possession metrics remained encouraging, suggesting his overall impact went beyond traditional scoring numbers, even if those numbers were down from last year.Hayton’s reported offer-sheet salary would also be higher than Wright’s cap hit, which would give New Jersey more roster flexibility. The Devils could continue to build around Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier while allowing Wright to develop in a defined third-line role with secondary special-teams duties.
What Seattle Kraken could expect in a potential trade
It would almost certainly cost more than the draft-pick package that came with the Hayton offer sheet to acquire Wright. Seattle Kraken are not thought to be actively shopping the 22-year-old and would likely be looking for fair value reflective of his draft pedigree and remaining upside.The Devils are focused on Utah’s decision right now, but Wright is a player that the Devils could plug in right away and make an impact both now and in the future. If Barrett Hayton remains with the Utah Mammoth, the Seattle Kraken center could be one of the hottest names in NHL trade speculation this offseason.
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