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Canadiens reportedly were interested in intriguing forward.
The Montreal Canadiens didn’t make a move at the NHL Trade Deadline, but it wasn’t without trying.
Montreal was linked to Nazem Kadri, but he ended up being dealt to the Colorado Avalanche. The Canadiens, meanwhile, were also linked to a mystery player, but a deal never got done.
Now, after the trade deadline, X user Hockeyy Insiderr – who has broken several trades and signings – reported the Canadiens tried to trade for Shane Wright of the Seattle Kraken.
“Being told by a source close to Canadiens management that the ‘mystery’ player the Canadiens were targeting close to the deadline was Shane Wright of the Seattle Kraken,” the user wrote.
The Canadiens ‘ pursuit of Wright is interesting, as Montreal had the first overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. But, the team decided to pass on Wright. Wright ended up giving the Canadiens draft table a death stare when he was picked fourth overall. Yet, he was reportedly close to going to Montreal at the deadline.
Wright’s name came up in trade rumors ahead of the deadline as he reportedly isn’t happy with his role in Seattle. The former fourth overall pick believes he should be getting top-six minutes and wanted a change of scenery.
Wright has recorded 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in 62 games this season. Last year, he set his career-high with 19 goals and 25 assists for 44 points.
The 22-year-old forward is in the second year of his three-year, entry-level deal.
Wright Explains Staredown to Canadiens Draft Table
After Montreal decided not to pick Wright first overall, the Burlington, Ontario native wasn’t happy.
However, after the video of him staring down the Canadiens’ front office at the draft, he said that wasn’t the case.
“Not at all. I was just kind of looking at the cameras in front of me,” Wright said on Blue Jays Central on Sportsnet back in July of 2022. “To be honest, I don’t really remember too much going up on stage. It was just kind of a whirlwind for me so.
“I wasn’t intentionally trying to stare anyone down I guess maybe it looked like that from the video, but there was no intent to stare them down. Just kind of look at the camera and their table was right behind it so I guess it kind of looked like it but there’s no intent behind that.”
Wright, meanwhile, did admit he was disappointed not to go first overall and plans to have a chip on his shoulder.
“I mean, obviously, you picture that in your mind. You picture your name being called first and walking up to the stage, pulling on that jersey. Especially with the draft being in Montreal and them picking first,” Wright admitted.
“I’m definitely gonna have a chip on my shoulder from this for sure. Definitely a little more motivation. I’ve always been self-motivated. Always been pushing myself internally, but it’s definitely gonna give me a little more fire, for sure.”
In his NHL career, Wright has skated in 157 games, recording 35 goals and 39 assists for 74 points.
Montreal Stand Pat at NHL Trade Deadline
The Canadiens opted not to make a trade at the deadline, despite the team being firmly in the playoff mix.
Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes said that was because the front office believes in this current group.
“I think part of the message to the group is: we like these players,” Hughes said. “We’ve got good hockey players that aren’t playing games right now for our team. So, for us to add to that logjam, we wanted to know that it really was meaningful enough for us to do it.”
The Canadiens are 34-18-10 and in third place in the Atlantic Division.
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL, MLB and Cleveland Browns for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton
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