The New Jersey Devils may already have their contingency plan lined up if the Utah Mammoth match the offer sheet signed by Barrett Hayton, and it could give New Jersey a younger, more affordable player with considerably more long-term upside.
James Nichols on Sportsnaut identified Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright as a potential trade target for the Devils. The connection makes sense. New Jersey needs another dependable center behind Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier, while Wright’s agent has publicly indicated that the Kraken are willing to work with his camp on finding an appropriate trade. Seattle, however, has not promised to move him at a discounted price.
My initial read is that Wright would be the riskier acquisition compared with Hayton, but he could also be the more rewarding one. Hayton offers a stronger defensive foundation and more certainty in a third-line role. Wright offers youth, a low cap hit and the possibility that an expanded opportunity unlocks the offensive potential that made him the fourth-overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft.
Why Shane Wright Could Be the Devils’ Best Trade Alternative
The Devils officially signed Hayton to a one-year, $4.775 million offer sheet on July 1. Utah has seven days to match the contract. If the Mammoth decline, New Jersey must send Utah a 2027 second-round draft pick as compensation. Hayton recorded 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points in 67 games last season.
If Utah matches, the Devils must return to the trade market, and that is where Wright becomes especially interesting.
Wright finished the 2025-26 season with 12 goals and 15 assists for 27 points in 74 games while averaging 13:48 of ice time. That represented a noticeable decline from his 44-point season in 2024-25, but his underlying results were more encouraging than the basic totals suggest. He posted a 53 percent expected-goals share at five-on-five and Seattle controlled 55.6 percent of the actual goals during his minutes.
Those numbers suggest Wright was not simply being overwhelmed at the NHL level. He was involved in positive territorial results but did not convert enough of those minutes into individual production.
That is an important distinction. Wright may not need to completely reinvent his game. He may need more consistent usage, improved linemates and a coaching staff willing to let him play through mistakes.
Data snapshot:
- Wright: 12 goals, 15 assists and 27 points in 74 games.
- Hayton: 10 goals, 15 assists and 25 points in 67 games.
- Wright’s 2026-27 cap hit: $886,666.
- Hayton’s offer-sheet salary: $4.775 million.
The difference between the two cap figures is approximately $3.89 million. Wright would cost about 81 percent less against the cap for the coming season, before accounting for any performance bonuses attached to his entry-level contract.
That flexibility could allow New Jersey to address another roster need during the season instead of committing nearly $4.8 million to a player who can become an unrestricted free agent after one year.
Shane Wright Career NHL Stats
| Type | GP | G | A | P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 169 | 36 | 42 | 78 | 15 |
| Playoffs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What Would New Jersey Have to Trade for Shane Wright?
Acquiring Wright would cost considerably more than the second-round pick attached to the Hayton offer sheet.
Wright’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, told Elliotte Friedman that he had held positive discussions with Kraken general manager Jason Botterill about facilitating a move. Botterill declined to comment, and executives who have spoken with Seattle indicated that the Kraken still expect fair value and will not be pressured into completing a deal.
That distinction matters. Wright may be available, but he is not a distressed asset Seattle must unload immediately.
Using my own trade-value model, which weighs age and team control at 25 percent, cap efficiency at 20 percent, NHL production at 25 percent, positional value at 15 percent and development risk at 15 percent, I would give Wright a current score of approximately 73 out of 100.
That places his estimated value around a second-round pick plus a legitimate B-level prospect or young, controllable roster player. Seattle could also seek a conditional pick that improves if Wright reaches a specific games-played or production threshold.
New Jersey should be careful about including one of its premium prospects. Wright has upside, but his development has not been linear. He went from 44 points in 2024-25 to 27 points last season despite entering the year with expectations of an offensive breakout.
From my perspective, the Devils should be interested if the asking price remains reasonable. Wright does not need to become a first-line superstar to justify the move. If he develops into a 45-to-55-point center who can drive a third line and move higher in the lineup when injuries strike, his acquisition would provide substantial value.
Why a Change of Scenery Could Work for Shane Wright
Wright’s path in Seattle has never been straightforward. He has dealt with limited minutes, changing roles and competition for opportunities down the middle.
A move to New Jersey would not automatically guarantee top-six minutes, but it could give him a clearly defined position. He could begin as the third-line center, receive secondary power-play opportunities and serve as insurance behind Hughes and Hischier.
The Devils also play with the type of pace that could complement Wright’s skating and willingness to attack dangerous areas. Nichols’ analysis noted that Wright and Hayton generated much of their offence from high-danger locations rather than relying heavily on perimeter shots. Wright also ranked well in high-speed skating bursts, supporting the argument that he possesses the physical tools to keep up with New Jersey’s faster forwards.
Hayton remains the safer short-term option. Wright is the more fascinating long-term bet.
If Utah declines to match the offer sheet, the Devils will likely be satisfied adding Hayton for only a second-round pick. If Utah matches, however, New Jersey should seriously explore Wright before spending assets on an older rental with less team control.
The Seattle Kraken center carries development risk, but his age, contract and remaining upside make that risk worth investigating.
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