DENVER – Shane Wright has a strong belief in when and where he should be selected next month. And “it would mean the world” for him to be selected first in the Montreal Canadiens general.
But the top-ranked potential will face an intriguing competition in the July 7 race on the Bell Center podium, and he’s smart enough to realize it’s no use campaigning now.
The season is over, the results of the combination have been counted and all the interviews are over. Resume ink has dried.
“It’s out of my control right now. What I think, or what I say, or what I think doesn’t matter right now,” Wright said Saturday at Colorado’s Ball Arena.
“It’s in the hands of Montreal and its management. Obviously, I’d like to be the first general election, but at the end of the day, it’s not my decision.”
Wright had been the No. 1 class 2022 consensus prospect for months, but the good demonstrations of Juraj Slafkovsky and Logan Cooley could give him a run for his money.
Canadians have longed for central depth. Aggressive attempts to mold a young Alex Galchenyuk, Jonathan Drouin or Jesperi Kotkaniemi into a consistent and reliable pivot never came to fruition.
Wright has the ingredients that will hopefully allow him to become one of the top six places on the show.
Well-rounded natural center, although not very striking. Evil right shot. Defensively responsible. Solid size (6 feet, 191 lbs) already. Accumulate points wherever you go.
The Kingston Frontenacs star is excited about his recent dinner with new Canadian GM Kent Hughes and his brass band.
“I really like what they’re talking about, what they’re saying about the city and describing the organization and describing where they want to go in the future and they want to build a winning franchise,” Wright says.
“Obviously I want to be a part of that and I really liked how it went in general.”
The child’s confidence is off the charts.
He is reminded that some top picks, such as Cale Makar and Owen Power, were well-served to patiently spice up their skills for an extra season in college, arriving ready to stay once they reached the NHL.
Wright replies that every situation is unique.
“These guys are both defenders. I’m a striker,” Wright points out. “It’s a slightly different transition in the league comparing a defender to a striker.
“I do not think you have to go back [or] you have to play the first year as a first team. It really depends on what the team wants and where that player is with their development. “
At 18, are you ready to dress up for your NHL team’s 2022-23 opening night lineup?
“I think I am. I really do. Based on looking out there, it’s fast. It’s going to be a fit at first. The most important thing is speed and just learning the league,” Wright says. .
“But I think that with a lot of work this low season, with a lot of training and development in the training ground, and learning a lot from the coaches and other players, I think I can intervene to make a difference. And this is where I want to be. That’s where I see myself, and I think that’s my goal for next year. “
The native of Burlington, Ont., Attended the second game of the Stanley Cup final in Denver with his main potential teammates Connor Geekie, Matthew Savoie and Cutter Gauthier.
Savoie and Wright have become friends. They’ve been fighting each other in spring hockey since they were 12 years old. Savoie admits Wright has always been on another level of his teammates.
“Yeah, definitely. He was ahead of everyone else physically and just in terms of skills. He really wants to be the best selection,” Savoie says.
“There has been a lot of talk, a lot of speculation, but he is a great player. It’s good everywhere. Work hard. Play the right way. “
On Saturday, Wright chatted briefly with Bowan Byram, Alex Newhook and Nathan MacKinnon after watching the Avalanche’s morning skating pace and professional routine up close.
“It’s super fast. Everything is super crunchy. No one misses a pass, no one misses the tape and everything goes at high speed. It’s fun to see these guys, it’s fun to be up close and see them in practice instead of watching.” ls on TV, “says Wright. “Being here at the Stanley Cup final is what you’ve been working on all your life.
“It was definitely inspiring to see these guys here, to see how hard they worked and to see what it took to get to that level.”
Wright will confess some nerves and anxiety as the days go by on his trip to Montreal and his moment, first in general or not, in the spotlight.
“But I think more excitement,” Wright says.
“I’m looking forward to going through the draft process, going through this experience. I think just being there, having the feeling of being selected, I think that’s what I’m most excited about.”