Would Acquiring Seattle Center be the Wright Move for the Penguins?

Yes, Martha, there is life after Jason Robertson.

According to reports, Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has pivoted and is currently kicking the tires on Seattle center Shane Wright, who requested a trade earlier this summer.

For those who’ve been on an extended pilgrimage to Nepal for the past four years, the Burlington, Ontario native was the fourth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. For a good portion of his draft year and prior, Wright was projected to go first overall. He was one of the few players to be granted “Exceptional Status” and thereby allowed to enter the OHL at age 15. During his final abbreviated season in junior, he averaged nearly two points per game. So we’re definitely talking about a player with pedigree.

An online scouting report described Wright in glowing terms:

“Shane Wright is a highly intelligent, two-way center…Scouts project him as a reliable Patrice Bergeron-style player who excels at controlling pace, making smart tape-to-tape passes, and delivering a lethal shot with a quick, deceptive release.”

As for other particulars, the 22-year-old pivot tips the scales at a sturdy 192 pounds on a 6’0” frame. He’s a right-handed shot, just like a fellow who wore No. 66. Scouts describe his skating as solid and fluid rather than explosive, relying more on high hockey IQ, smart positioning, and consistent effort than raw breakaway speed.

Numerically, the stat that leaps off the page is his 17.6 shooting percentage over 169 NHL games, including a sizzling 20.9 percent during his rookie season of 2024-25 when he notched a respectable 19 goals.

Another stat that sticks out, albeit like a sore thumb? Wright’s 42.8 career faceoff percentage, including a sorry 39.7 percent last season. (Paging Nick Bonino.)

As for advanced metrics, his underlying 5v5 numbers aren’t anything to write home about, save for the one that perhaps matters the most—Goals for Percentage. A sterling 56.30 percent for his career, including 55.56 last season when he endured a sophomore slump. Keep in mind, he’s been surrounded by uniformly mediocre Kraken squads.

Another knock? There are too many nights when Wright tends to blend into the background, rather than assert himself. Perhaps an indicator that he lacks confidence and comfort with his surroundings.

But enough about the player.

Does Wright make sense for the Pens? The answer in my eyes, a resounding yes. As marvelous as he is, it’s only a matter of time before franchise icon Sidney Crosby begins to slip. In fact, he already has, especially in the defensive zone.

While Tommy Novak filled in admirably as second-line center last season, he isn’t a long-term answer. At times, 18-year-old wonder Ben Kindel resembled a mini-Sid in the making. However, there’s still some question concerning his ceiling, which generally projects as a No. 2 center at best.

Other internal options such as Tristan Broz, 2025 first-rounder Bill Zonnon and newcomer Hendrix Lapierre must be viewed as question marks at the present. So there’s definitely a need for a young center of high pedigree.

As an aside, Panthers GM Bill Zito built his Stanley Cup champions in large part by acquiring former top-10 picks from other clubs.

Okay, so what about cost? Kraken GM Jason Botterill isn’t going to just hand Wright to us on a platter. No siree, Bob. He won’t have any shortage of suitors, either.

Dubas will have to pony up.

Botterill’s rumored to be seeking a high-end defensive prospect or equivalent assets in return. Which once again would appear to place a circle around Harrison Brunicke. A player I’d sure hate to part with, especially with Erik Karlsson approaching free agency and likely to depart and Kris Letang rapidly fading to black. Ideally, Brunicke would be ready to step in and at least partially fill the void.

I’d much rather part with draft picks. Even a first-rounder.

Either way, I don’t envy Dubas for the choice he’d be facing. Not one iota.

Would a player of Wright’s potential be a welcome addition for our Pens? Sure. But only if he can be had at the Wright price.