Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti (left) and Seattle Kraken forward Shane Wright (right) are at the center of recent NHL trade rumors, with reports suggesting a potential blockbuster swap between the two clubs.
We are officially in the “silly season” of NHL trade rumors, but this week, the chatter surrounding the Winnipeg Jets feels different. It’s not just speculation; it’s a verified discussion between two GMs trying to salvage their team’s future potential.
David Pagnotta dropped a bomb on The Sheet with Jeff Marek, revealing that the Jets have checked in on Shane Wright. This makes perfect sense on paper. Wright, at just 22 years old, fits the age curve of the Jets’ retooling core. He’s a right-shot center—a commodity the Jets have coveted for a decade.
Why the Seattle Kraken Are Finally Open to Trading Shane Wright
Why Seattle Does It: The Kraken are in “win-now” mode but lack offensive punch. Shane Wright has struggled to earn the trust of the coaching staff, posting just 18 points in 52 games this season while languishing in the bottom six. They need a player who can step onto the second line today and produce. Cole Perfetti, despite his own struggles this year (15 points in 38 games), has a proven 50-point pedigree and NHL vision that Seattle desperately lacks.
Why Winnipeg Does It: This is the “buy-low” opportunity Kevin Cheveldayoff loves. Wright’s value has never been lower, but his ceiling remains that of a top-tier two-way center. If the Jets believe their development staff can unlock the player who was once the consensus #1 overall pick, this is a gamble worth taking.
My Personal Insight: I’ll be honest—I hate the idea of a one-for-one swap involving Cole Perfetti. Perfetti has shown he has elite NHL brainpower; his struggles this year feel more like a usage and confidence issue than a lack of talent. Trading him for Wright feels like robbing Peter to pay Paul.
The ideal scenario for Winnipeg? You keep Perfetti and find a way to acquire Wright using a package centered around draft capital or a different roster player. Imagine a future top-six featuring both Perfetti and Wright growing together? That’s a championship window reopening. However, if Seattle insists on a “hockey trade” involving roster players, Cheveldayoff faces a brutal decision: stick with the known commodity in Perfetti, or swing for the fences on Wright’s untapped potential.
This rumor isn’t going away. Where there is smoke, there is usually fire, and right now, the heat is coming from Seattle.
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