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Davy Jones Locker Room
about 2 hours
Shane Wright wants out, and his development is the key to why
Elliote Friedman of SportsNet revealed in a bombshell that the Kraken were once again exploring all options with Center Shane Wright, as according to Wright’s Agent that he could “…confirm that we have had positive conversations with GM Jason Botterill, and he has agreed to move Shane this summer to a team in need of a top young centre,” This of course, set off a brand new wave of discourse around the Kraken, Shane Wright, and how we got to this point. So…let’s review. On July 7th, 2022, the Seattle Kraken had a potential franchise forward fall in their lap. Throughout the entire season leading up to that moment, forward Shane Wright was predicted to go 1st overall. When it was Montreal’s time to choose, they selected Slovakian forward Juraj Slafkovský. To the surprise of many, Wright would continue to slide down the draft order after New Jersey and Arizona opted for other players. All of a sudden, Seattle had a no-brainer decision to make – they selected Shane Wright at 4th overall. Fans rejoiced at the result, knowing that Seattle was blessed with a rare talent. The next decision was also a no-brainer: Send Wright back to the OHL for a year. He lost a year of ice time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and his size made him not quite ready to step onto the NHL ice just yet. Front office faced an interesting situation: Wright was too good for the OHL, but too young to play in the AHL – so, how can they develop him? Instead of putting him in the lineup, they decided to keep him as a healthy scratch, allowing him to practice with the team. While I can get behind this decision, we all know this is not a good long-term solution. Players need to play the game – not just practice. By Christmas, Wright was sent back to the OHL, where he scored 37 points in just 20 games. Another move that I can get behind – this gave him the opportunity to play in the World Junior Hockey Championship, where he was the captain of Team Canada. After that season ended, the development path improved. Because the CHL season ended, Wright was eligible to play for Coachella Valley in the AHL – and helped them in their deep playoff run, playing in all 24 games and gaining a good amount of time with the coaches. He was finally able to play with professionals instead of amateurs. In the 2023-24 season, the Kraken were able to qualify for an exceptional age ruling – allowing Wright to play for Coachella Valley even though he wasn’t 20 years old. This proved beneficial yet again; Wright scored 22 goals and 47 points in 59 games. They called him up to the NHL for 8 games, where he scored 4 times, while averaging 13:32 minutes per game. He was scoring at a pace of 41 goals a season – not bad, right? To this point, management had done about all they could do while handling him with kid gloves. Wright had shown he was NHL-ready – he was performing at every level, and the results were showing. In 2024, he cracked the team’s roster, where he went on to score 19 goals in 79 games – while averaging 14 minutes of ice time per game. His 2025-26 season saw some setbacks, with him scoring 12 goals and 27 points in 73 games, while averaging 13:48 minutes per game. This had some fans questioning whether Wright was truly NHL-ready – or if he was a bust. And now we’re here. Likely seeing the last offseason of Shane Wright in a Kraken Uniform. In my opinion, it is not Wright’s fault at all – and here is why: What Brought Us Here 1) Coaching consistencies…or lack thereof. In the 3 years that Wright played in the NHL, he had 3 different head coaches. Between all levels of hockey, he has played for 7 different head coaches since being drafted. His most successful professional season was with Dan Bylsma at the helm – both while Wright played for Coachella and the Kraken. Once the Kraken fired Bylsma (after just one season, when he was given a subpar roster to begin with – but that is a conversation for another day), they brought in current head coach Lane Lambert. Lambert’s style of coaching did not seem to fit Wright’s style of play, resulting in a decrease in stats. Instead of working with Wright and giving him an opportunity, Lambert decided to leave him to his own devices – and work with Coach Jessica Campbell on the possession side of his game, allowing his skillset to develop under her tutelage. This offseason, the Kraken and Campbell parted ways – which of course means yet another coach for Wright. I have never seen a player go through so many personnel changes in such a short amount of time – and it clearly has played a role in his development; without a consistent style and desire for his game to take shape, he’s stuck. 2) A player’s salary should not equate to ice time…and yet! After the 2023-24 season ended, the Kraken decided they wanted to prioritize faceoff skills and handed free agent Chandler Stephenson a 7-year contract at a $6.25 million cap hit. While on paper this move made sense; Stephenson had won 2 Stanley Cups, and 52% of his faceoffs throughout his career…the reality is that this move directly affected the goal production of the team. Stephenson has scored 20 goals only once in a season – and only 118 goals in his 653-game career thus far. In the first season of his Kraken tenure, Stephenson scored 13 goals while averaging 19:31 minutes of ice time. Meanwhile, Shane Wright scored 19 goals while averaging just 14:04 minutes. Why have a 19-goal scorer sit on the bench while your 13-goal scorer hogs the ice? This is surely not a winning recipe. This also was not an isolated situation: this same pattern continued into the 2025-26 season. Stephenson scored 16 goals while averaging 19:23 – while Wright scored 12 goals with just 13:48 minutes of ice time. The reality is that you should play the players who will give you the best on-ice production – not the players who cost you the most. 3) Chemistry takes time, and he wasn’t given any. Wright had the most success during a time when he was on the same line as Eeli Tolvanen – who is no longer on the active roster, as management has opted to not discuss a new contract with him. Over the last two seasons, Wright has not experienced consistent linemates much at all – he has played with Eberle, McCann, Tolvanen, Kakko, Bjorkstrand, etc. It is difficult for a player to feel supported in development with linemate chemistry if the lines constantly change. To give you an idea of where Wright is, he has played significant minutes with just about every single player in the Top 9. And this is just this year! | Hockeyviz.com At the end of the day, yes, Wright is being paid a nice wage to play a team sport with a lot of changing on the fly, so he should be able to step out there and perform. But – management and ownership should actually give him opportunities to succeed. The facts are there – his lack of consistency in coaching, linemates, and ice time are all direct factors that affect a player’s stat line. I do not blame Wright for looking for a new home – if I were experiencing the lack of direction and consistency in the prime developing years of my career, I would look for a new employer, too. While GM Botterill has said that he will trade Wright, my honest hope is that management gives Wright an opportunity in a top-6 role consistently with players like Kappo Kakko and new acquisition Mackie Samoskevich and see what happens. I think fans and ownership will be surprised if they’re willing to just let this kid finally, finally find himself in this sweater.
Fremont Neighbor
about 2 hours
Down comes the Ballroom block
Demolition started Monday on the Ballroom block. Crews are tearing down the buildings at 452 N 36th St. that once housed Roxy’s, the Back Door, Norm’s, Caffe Ladro, and Baila Bar. The Ballroom’s iconic dancing couple sign is being preserved and will be mounted at the top of the new building. A seven-story, 178-unit mixed-use […]
City Cast Seattle
about 13 hours
What Has Seattle Learned From The World Cup? Plus, Economic Highs and Lows
Today on the show, Jane C. Hu is joined by contributor Hannah Krieg and creative producer Liam Billingham to talk about, despite an apparently growing economy in Washington, why are so many people being laid off and feeling frustrated? Then they talk about how Seattle has felt so neighborly during the World Cup, and Hannah argues that we don’t need FIFA to experience brotherly love. They also talk about the positive things we hope the city can keep doing, like public bathrooms in Pioneer Square and nice spots for us to hang out together. Finally, they discuss the new app Sniff, which helps bring together dog owners through technology. The trio talk about how the internet is good for meeting people, but you have to get out in the world and hang out! Learn more about the sponsors of this July 7th episode: pFriem Beer Grand Central Bakery Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastSeattle on Instagram, or email us at [email protected]. You can also call or text us at 206-880-3931. For more Seattle news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Seattle. Support City Cast Seattle by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/seattle Looking to advertise on City Cast Seattle? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
City Cast Seattle
1 day
The County’s Homelessness Agency Gets Gutted and August Primary Endorsements Collide
Today on the podcast, host Jane C. Hu talks with contributor Guy Oron and guest Erica C. Barnett about two big political stories. First, The King County Regional Homelessness Authority is being effectively dismantled, and the city and county will take back control of the bulk of contracts for housing and shelter. Jane, Guy, and Erica dig into what the city and county's announcement actually means for Seattle's homelessness response and if this regional experiment was doomed from the start. Then, the August primaries are heating up. Erica and Guy discuss what Mayor Katie Wilson’s endorsements say about her administration and how they differ from the newest endorsements released by The Stranger. Plus, they get into turbulence and turnover inside the mayor’s office. If you enjoyed this interview with Chris Chappell, the Brewshed Alliance Director of Washington Wild, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 6th episode: Seattle Art Museum Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastSeattle on Instagram, or email us at [email protected]. You can also call or text us at 206-880-3931. For more Seattle news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Seattle. Support City Cast Seattle by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/seattle Looking to advertise on City Cast Seattle? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
Fremont Neighbor
2 days
Forum No. 4 is out: The Fremont Bridge had a resident. She made a film.
The July issue of the Fremont Neighbor Forum is in the wild. Find it at our Dinosaur and Lower Fremont Flyer Board newsstands, with a few copies on poles around the neighborhood. Free as always. This issue features the story of Freyja Whitney, a local animator who spent nine months in the Fremont Bridge’s Rapunzel […]
City Cast Seattle
5 days
'Your City Could Be Better': The Ultimate USA Trivia Battle. How Much Do You Know? — Presented By City Cast Seattle
See if your Seattle knowledge serves you well! In the first-ever Your City Could Be Better trivia episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz goes head to head with journalist and historian Alexandra Petri to see who knows more about U.S. history, geography, and celebrities ahead of the country’s semiquincentennial. Sean McPherson, trivia wiz and City Cast Twin Cities host, leads four riveting rounds of questions covering everything from The Declaration of Independence to the hottest college rivalries, and all 13 City Cast cities make an appearance. See how you stack up! Mentioned on the show: Trivia Mafia website and locations Alexandra Petri's US History: Important American Documents (I Made Up) Milwaukee's block of Frank Lloyd Wright - Atlas Obscura Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.
Fremont Neighbor
5 days
60 Love Rocks are coming to Fremont Parks
Keep your eyes peeled starting July 3. Fremont neighbor Vivian Zirk is hiding 60 hand-painted rocks across five neighborhood parks, continuing a local tradition that has been delighting neighbors and visitors of all ages for years. The hunt kicks off Friday afternoon in honor of International Drop a Rock Day, which is a “global event […]
Fremont Neighbor
5 days
New benches heading to the Troll
Folks who stop by the Troll for a photo will soon have somewhere to sit and stay a while. Friends of the Troll’s Knoll, a community group dedicated to maintaining and activating the green space around the Fremont Troll, has installed metal benches at several spots in Troll’s Knoll Forest. This includes a pair at […]
City Cast Seattle
6 days
Is Seattle Patriotic? Plus, What the 'Legally Blonde' Prequel Gets Wrong About Our City
Today on the podcast, host Jane C. Hu is joined by contributors Chase Hutchinson and Eula Scott Bynoe to talk about MOHAI’s newest exhibit and what the American flag means to Seattle. Then they cover the relevance and accuracy of the new TV show, Elle, which is set in our city circa 1994. Plus, lots of weekend recommendations and a bonus segment about the infamous local food that was just crowned “top dog”. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Seattle Art Museum pFriem Beer Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastSeattle on Instagram, or email us at [email protected]. You can also call or text us at 206-880-3931. For more Seattle news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Seattle. Support City Cast Seattle by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/seattle Looking to advertise on City Cast Seattle? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
Davy Jones Locker Room
6 days
Kraken add Curtis Douglas in FA on 2-year, 1.25m AAV contract
Cue up Manny Fresh, because the Kraken like their forwards Real Big this free agency. The Kraken announced the signing of Forward Curtis Douglas to a 2 year deal worth $1.25 million. WELCOME ABOARD! 🦑The #SeaKraken have agreed to terms with forward Curtis Douglas on a 2-year deal.— Seattle Kraken (Bot) (@notseattlekraken.bsky.social) 2026-07-01T22:06:49.208Z Anything I could tell you about this player is automatically dwarfed by his sheer dimensions; standing at a preposterous 6’9, and weighing in at 243 pounds. He is most notable for being an absolute ass-kicker for both the Canucks and the Bolts, and making quite the name for himself in said ass-kickings, primarily in matching up with other heavyweights. So I bet you’re figuring that he’s probably just the big menacing fella what scares the other team and isn’t much for the hockey portion of hockey, right? Actually? He’s okay? Like, he’s still very much a 4th liner, he’s definitely not a goalscoring phenom, but he’s not a liability. He can hold his own and even if he isn’t shooting much, he’s making sure the other team isn’t either. He’s the platonic ideal of a 4th liner. I like him. He can change the smoke alarm batteries when they get low and then mash a dude. Let’s all welcome Curtis to The Deep!
Davy Jones Locker Room
6 days
DJLR Free Agency Frenzy LIVETHREAD
Welcome to free agent frenzy, friends. The NHL has already begun making goofy trades all over the place after the Kraken made a perfectly reasonable call for Mackie Samoskevich, so let’s enjoy the magic as it unfolds! What do the Kraken Need? The Smart-ass answer is “everything”, but I think we can be a little more specific than that. Dire Needs: Younger, more mobile defenseman The Kraken’s biggest achilles heel on D is that they’re old, slow, and struggle with adjusting in net-front work. Adding Brandon Montour last season helped, Chase Reid will absolutely help in that regard, but work still needs to be done in order for this team to compete with the Pacific, which has doubled down on offensive skillset across the board. High-End Goalscoring Forward It’s a constant struggle and it’s always a real pain to keep bringing it up, but yes; the Kraken need somebody who’s willing to go to the net and shoot there. Re-signing Bobby McMann definitely improves the going to the net part, but the Kraken desperately need at least one higher skill forward that can allow them the ability to take over a shift or two and quarterback a power play. Would be nice to have: Left Wing Depth According to EliteProspects.com, the Kraken only have four natural LW players in the entire system; including the NHL team. Obviously it’s fine if you plan on converting a couple of your undersized Centers to wing full-time, but it absolutely can’t hurt to have at least one more! An Upgrade at Center (strictly NHL) I’m not looking at a specific player at the moment! Certainly not! I’m just saying that if the Kraken mean to improve for next year, then they should think carefully about the contract terms of their Center depth, and then make some decisions on possibly upgrading them. Maybe not a wild change, but definitely one that could improve by subtraction or by creating opportunity for other players. Clearer Answer for Goaltending depth in Coachella The goaltending situation for the Kraken seems to be okay at the moment? Definitely not perfect, but they were able to make it work. Their AHL squad meanwhile, has Nikke Kokko on the last year of his RFA contract, Victor Ostman actively looking for his first contract out of RFA, and Kim Saarinen waiting in the wings. As Seattle’s luck has often lent the Coachella Valley netminders a chance to play at least a couple games in the NHL, it would be a good idea for the team to look at the development of these players and come up with a clearer picture. Stuff they’ve already done: Given Lleyton Roed and JR Avon 1 year contracts Said goodbye to Jaden Schwartz 🙁 Let madness continue!
Fremont Neighbor
6 days
SDOT approves N 36th Street tree removal; advocacy group challenges decision
The Seattle Department of Transportation has approved the removal of six street trees at the former Harvey Family Funeral Home site at 508 N 36th St. The June 22 decision covers the three red maples on N 36th Street, two incense cedars on Evanston Avenue N, and one ash tree on Dayton Avenue N, which […]