Draft Live Blog: Wright Seattle's Pick at No. 4

9:45 p.m., July 7

Wright's dad, Simon, said he hugged his son "probably one of the tightest hugs I've ever given, I was just so proud."
Like his son facing media questions about any disappointment not being selected first overall when meeting the biggest media scrum of the night, Simon Wright said one of the first questions in a previous interview posed the same questions.
"I said, you know what" the father explained, "It's not when you go, it's where you go and what you do once you get there."
For his part, Shane Wright finished the night as upbeat as he was during that oversized media crowd at his podium in a line of podiums. He happily answered questions during an exclusive interview before heading off to a celebration with 75 family and friends waiting for him.
"What's not to smile about," said Wright with a big grin. "Seattle's an organization with a lot of potential, a lot of really good pieces and coaching staff ... there's nothing to be upset about. I'm just really excited."
Wright talked about when he plays at his best, when he knows he had a good game: "It's when I'm playing confident, playing free. I'm moving my feet making plays and just playing free."
The No. 4 overall pick appeared free and confident. But before leaving, he took a phone call. On the line? Veteran forward Jordan Eberle, who followed earlier calls from new teammates Matty Beniers and Yanni Gourde. Wright was smiling yet again.
7:50 p.m., July 7

Geeking Out at the Draft - a Family Affair

MONTREAL - Kraken center Morgan Geekie wasn't in attendance the year he got drafted (2017), but he was in Montreal tonight to see his younger brother, Conor, get drafted by Arizona.
"(When I was drafted), I was home with my parents," Morgan said. "I didn't realize how big of a spectacle (it was), and the red carpet and everything, but it's awesome."
Of course, it wasn't just the drama of an NHL Draft that had Morgan excited. He was thrilled to see his 18-year-old sibling become part of another big-league team. The two brothers are close and spent the day keeping things light: starting the day with a workout together and hanging out with the rest of their family members who came to be part of Conor's big day.

But as happy as Morgan is for his brother, the two now play for different NHL teams. When the puck drops, that's where the family ties end.
"There's no holds barred for sure," Morgan said with a smile. "It'll be good competing against him for sure."
5:31 p.m., July 7

Wright 'Couldn't Be Happier" with Seattle Pick

MONTREAL - There are half-dozen podiums set up in a long corridor at the event level here at Bell Centre. First-round draft choices filled seats at podiums one after another, sitting in front of microphones to answer media questions.
No crowd of reporters and cameras and tripods was anywhere near as the sprawling five-deep group spilling all around Podium 2 when the newest Kraken prospect, Shane Wright, arrived to field the inevitable questions about possible disappointment in not being selected No. 1 overall.
"I was drafted by a team with a lot of potential into a great city with a great fan base," said Wright, who smiled a lot more during his 11-minute press conference than most reporters expected.

He was not down, he was not struggling to choose words, he was straight-on professional even before he officially turns professional. He went straight to his answers to more than one question poking at any disappointment he might be hiding (not happening) and then started talking about how he looked forward to the Kraken's development camp that starts Monday.
"You obviously want to go first," said Wright, who, oh, by the way, notched 94 points (32 goals, 62 assists) in 63 regular-season games and added 14 points (3G, 11 A, including overtime series-winning goal) in 11 playoff contests. "It's definitely something every guy wants to do going into the draft. But you know, I couldn't be happier being in Seattle ... really excited about the future ahead in Seattle."
Kraken fans have to like the fact Wright brought up that he's "gonna have a chip on my shoulder" before any reporter framed it for a player who has been under the spotlight since he joined the elite junior Ontario Hockey League with the rare "exceptional status" to allow a 15-year-old to play in the OHL: Current NHLer who received the same exceptional status: Toronto star John Tavares, Edmonton superstar Connor McDavid and Florida elite defenseman Aaron Ekblad.
"I've always been self-motivated," said Wright. "I am always going to push myself internally, but [getting picked fourth overall] is definitely going to give me a little more fire for sure."
When asked the same question another way, Wright didn't waver: "I achieved the dream of being drafted to an amazing team ... it's been my goal for my whole life. I am honored to be drafted by Seattle."
Wright smiled when asked about becoming a teammate with 2021 first-round pick Matty Beniers, long time a foe in the faceoff circle in a multitude of memorable games between Team Canada and Team USA in championship tournaments.
"Now I can focus on other things, go to development camp [where he and Beniers will be on the same Kraken Community Iceplex practice rink]. "You're learning, preparing for training camp [in September]. But you know I also want to soak this all in, the draft experience. We're fortunate to have a draft in person. Friends of mine weren't able to do that. I'm just trying to soak it all in."
4:52 p.m., July 7

Kraken Select Shane Wright at Fourth Overall

In a stunning turn of decisions at the very top of the 2022 NHL Draft, the Kraken were afforded the choice of Canadian center Shane Wright, who was considered the best player in the draft by any number of scouts.
The 6-foot, 191-pound Wright notched 94 points (32 goals, 62 assists) in 63 games for his Kingston franchise in the Ontario Hockey League. He added 14 points in 11 playoff games, including an overtime winner to win a series. The future Kraken forward is a much-decorated Canadian national team player. He captained the 2021 gold-medal Team Canada squad at the U18 World Championships.
Among the scouting accolades for Wright: "He plays heavy minutes in all situations and excels...has NHL shot and release to go with winning habits...most complete two-way player in draft... the best all-around player in this draft class who can skate, score, defend and has great vision and anticipation."

SHANE WRIGHT
Position: Center
Shoots: Right
Height/Weight: 6-foot, 191 pounds
Team: Kingston (OHL)
Birthplace: Burlington, Ont.
What to know: Going into the 2021-22 season, was consensus No. 1 pick in this draft, even with missing entire 2020-21 season when OHL canceled it schedule. Slow start to this season but finished with 94 points (32 goals, 62 assists) in 63 regular-season games and added 14 points (3G, 11 A, including overtime series-winning goal) in 11 playoff contests. Deemed a superior two-way forward, captain of 2021 gold-medalist Team Canada in U18 World Championships.
What scouts say: "Plays heavy minutes in all situations and excels...has NHL shot and release to go with winning habits...most complete two-way player in draft."
NHL player comparison: Boston F Patrice Bergeron
4:10 p.m., July 7

Trendsetting continues at Kraken Draft Table

MONTREAL - It's cool to look at the Draft floor here at Bell Centre and see two women, Alex Mandrycky and Namita Nandakumar seated at the Seattle Kraken table. Mandrycky, the director of hockey strategy, has been with the organization since 2019. Nandakumar joined the team in 2020 as a senior analyst after a successful tenure in the NFL working for the Philadelphia Eagles. Both have been deeply involved in preparation for this year's Draft as the Kraken prepare to select the next crop of future talent for the team.
The Kraken also have another woman who will help guide those prospects who play in the AHL. Earlier this week, the Coachella Firebirds (Seattle's AHL affiliate) announced the
hiring of Jessica Campbell as assistant coach
, making her the first woman to serve in that role.
There has been a welcome influx of women joining NHL front offices in recent weeks. Pretty neat to see Seattle as an organization who set that standard early.

2:11 p.m., July 7

Chicago Moves Back in Draft, DeBrincat to Ottawa

MONTREAL - Second trade of this draft involves two-time 41-goal scorer Alex DeBrincat. The American wing departs Chicago (and playing frequently alongside future Hall of Famer) to join the Ottawa Senators. Chicago traded its 2022 first-rounder to Columbus in the Seth Jones blockbuster last summer, so the Original Six franchise's rebuild gets a power boost with Ottawa's No. 7 overall pick in first round Thursday and second-rounder (39th overall) Friday. The Senators also get a third-round 2024 selection.
11:25 a.m., July 7

Rangers Trade Goalie Alexandr Georgiev To Avs

MONTREAL - A early-day trade between the Eastern Conference finalist New York Rangers and Stanley Cup Champion Colorado probably won't be the last one. In fact, ESPN reporter Emily Kaplan told Kraken colleague (video coming) she is hearing Chicago super scorer Alex DeBrincat will likely move before Round 1 begins at 4 p.m. Pacific.
With 2022 Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin firmly in place as No. 1 in goal, the Rangers collected three draft choices in exchange for Colorado acquiring Alexandar Georgiev, who was at one time not so long ago considered a possible NYR top starter himself.
New York gets Colorado's third- and fifth-round picks in this week's draft and a third-rounder next summer. The move appears to indicate Cup-winning veteran goaltender Darcy Kuemper will not return for the Avalanche and instead test NHL Free Agency starting July 13.
Georgiev, 26, notched a 15-10-2 record this past season with an .898 save percentage and two shutouts in 33 regular-season games with the Rangers. He was 0-1-0 with a .935 save percentage in two playoff appearances.
11 a.m., July 7, 2022

Who's No. 1 and 2 and 3?

MONTREAL - NHL.com draft expert Mike Morreale has been covering prospects for a decade-plus and is one of the best reporters at getting to know the players beyond their skill levels and points production. He stopped by our Kraken pop-up studio (video coming on the Kraken app and website) to discuss who will be selected by Montreal, New Jersey and Arizona ("if the Coyotes don't trade the pick") in Thursday night's three draft slots ahead of the Kraken. His answers:
"It's a really intriguing draft this year. I think there are questions who might go after the number one pick. In our mock drafts, I like Shane Wright [Canadian center]. His two-way game might be one of the smartest players of this draft class. People keep forgetting that. Shane Wright missed the entire season of competitive hockey when the [2020-21] Ontario Hockey League season was cancelled because of the COVID outbreak. He came back this year scored 94 points, did everything he could to help generate success for Kingston, getting them to the OHL playoffs.
"At No. 2, I expect New Jersey to pick Juraj Slafkovsky [Slovakian wing]. He's a great pick for the Devils. He's that big, strong wing they've been seeking. His coaching staff over in Slovakia have told me Juraj reminds the of a Clark Gillies-type of player, [Gilles passed away early this year] he won four straight Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders in the early 1980s. They can use and beside [top young centers] Jack Hughes or Nico Hischier.
"At No. 3, I like Logan Cooley - if Arizona keeps that pick. Logan Cooley is a good two-way centerman for the U.S. National Team Development Program. He has real smart and is always engaged on every shift. I see him as a combination of [Coyotes star forward] Clayton Keller and Jack Hughes with the way he skates and his style of play."
July 7, 12:01 a.m.

Ron Francis, Cup Final and This Draft

MONTREAL - When Kraken GM Ron Francis watched the 2022 Stanley Cup Final between Colorado and two-time defending champ Tampa Bay, he appreciated the pace of the games, the MVP play of Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar and "just terrific performance by both organizations."
But what impressed Francis most is top-of-mind material for Kraken fans anticipating who the Seattle hockey operations boss selects at No. 4 overall at Thursday's first round of the 2022 NHL Draft. Same for the potential 12 more draft picks for Seattle rounds 2 through 7 Friday here in one of hockey's Original Six cities. The Kraken have five picks among the first 61 players chosen.
"The biggest thing that jumped out at me is probably not something a lot of people look at," said Francis this week. "It was just the amount of players those organizations had drafted themselves and developed [in their organizations].
"It's not something that happens overnight. It takes time, but you look at their top scorers, you look at their key players, they were guys they drafted and developed."
True enough: Colorado finished the 2016-17 regular season with 48 standings points, finishing 30th out of 30 teams. Drafting Makar at, ahem, No. 4 overall that summer in 2017 started paying dividends for Colorado two years later in the 2019 playoffs.
Makar turned pro after his NCAA UMass squad fell just short of winning the national championship. He joined Colorado for 10 games, scoring a goal in his first NHL games and notching six points in 10 games and looked all the part. Hmm, Frozen Four appearance then plays 10 NHL games in short order. Sound like anyone you/we know? Guessing yes.
During the Stanley Cup Final, young defenseman Bowen Bynam (he turned 21 on June 13), logged more than 22 minutes per game becoming a top-four D-man before the hockey world's very attentive eyes. Bynam, ahem, ahem, was selected at No. 4 overall in the 2019 NHL Draft.
In last summer's draft, Francis and his staff picked Matty Beniers (the answer to our question above) at No. 2 overall, who fell just short of an NCAA national championship and then notched points in nine of his first 10 NHL games, including a primary assist on his second-ever pro shift.
In an exclusive interview here Wednesday, the Kraken GM mentioned Makar, then said, "We hope we have a player like that in Matty to lead us moving forward.
"We hope to get another one here this year here at the draft [in the first round]," said Francis. "That's a key part [of winning in the NHL]. Looking at a lot of teams' success, very rarely do you see teams win the Cup that don't draft and develop well."
Francis was confident about what his scouting staff, led by director of amateur scouting Robert Kron, can accomplish by the end of Friday: "We feel really comfortable that we're going to get some good players with the picks we have this year."
The Kraken hockey operations group held amateur scouting meetings in early June to effectively finalize their draft board ranked list of some 300 prospects. Francis allowed last month he and the staff might tweak it right up to draft night, but said Wednesday there was no need, that he was feeling confident and prepared.
That's good news for Kraken fans since as a GM in Carolina during 2013 to 2017 (alongside now Kraken director of amateur scouting Robert Kron, Seattle scout Mike Dawson and Kraken adviser and former Hurricanes amateur scouting director Tony MacDonald), Francis and team picked 12 players in four draft classes who have played more than 100 NHL games with two more close to the mark and five of the dozen who have logged more than 200 games.
"My message to the staff was not to tweak so much," Francis said. "We've done so much work. We've got our list ... We're staying pretty solid and true to what we believe is the correct list."