The Wright Gamble: Pittsburgh's High-Stakes Play for Center Depth
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General Manager Kyle Dubas is eyeing a low-cost reclamation project in Shane Wright, but the risk of regression looms large for a Penguins roster desperate for stability.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are staring down a glaring void at center, and as Yahoo Sports reported, they may have found a high-upside, low-cost solution in Shane Wright.
As reported by Josh Yohe of The Athletic via Yahoo Sports, general manager Kyle Dubas and the Penguins' front office are "intrigued" by the 22-year-old forward. For Dubas, Wright represents an ideal target because he satisfies three critical criteria: talent, age, and position. With a prospect pool lacking highly rated young centers, Wright is a logical target—especially when compared to the astronomical costs of other options. Yahoo Sports notes that while Pittsburgh has been linked to Vancouver Canucks star Elias Pettersson, Pettersson's $11.6 million annual cap hit makes him a far more expensive proposition than Wright, who is currently in the final year of his rookie contract.
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**Opinion:** *While the financial logic is sound, betting the farm on Wright is a dangerous gamble. The Penguins are desperate for center depth, but they are chasing a player whose trajectory is currently pointing downward. If Wright fails to find his footing in Pittsburgh, the team risks wasting assets on a project that doesn't pan out, leaving them stranded without a reliable pivot in the middle of the ice.*
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Pittsburgh may have a unique edge in these negotiations. Yahoo Sports reports that Ron Francis, a Hockey Hall of Famer recently brought back as a special advisor to the Penguins, served as the president of hockey operations and general manager for the Seattle Kraken when they drafted Wright in 2022. This direct connection could provide the Penguins with critical insight into the player's psyche and potential.
However, the cost of acquisition remains a sticking point. Yahoo Sports cites Rick Dhaliwal's reporting that Seattle has already engaged in trade talks with the Vancouver Canucks, where the Kraken requested highly rated defenseman Zeev Buium as part of the return. Such a high asking price is surprising given Wright's recent performance; after a 44-point rookie season, he regressed to just 27 total points during the 2025-26 campaign.
Even if the trade is finalized, the long-term commitment is a question mark. Wright is due to make under $900,000 during the 2026-27 campaign, after which he will become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2027. Yahoo Sports suggests that the smartest move for Pittsburgh would be to play the waiting game, observing how Wright adapts to the organization before offering a multi-year extension next summer.