Kraken send 4th overall pick to the AHL

The move comes after Wright had been scratched for 5 straight games for the Kraken, which opened him up to be eligible for a conditioning loan in the AHL. Were it not for the 5-game scratch loophole, if the Kraken did want to send Wright down, they would have had to have returned him to his OHL team, the Kingston Frontenacs, as he is not eligible to play full-time in the AHL due to his age.

Wright has been scratched in 11 of the Kraken's 18 games, which has been a bit of a drag for the top prospect. There is plenty of concern surrounding what's best for the overall development of the player. He's clearly too good for the OHL, but lacks some of the tools needed to really excel at the NHL level. This conditioning loan will allow Wright to make it into some game action at the AHL level to help him to get a feel for what it's like playing against men, as well as to allow him to adjust to the speed of the professional game.

Once Wright has completed his maximum 14-day conditioning loan in the AHL, there is a strong belief that the Kraken will allow him to play for Team Canada at the WJC tournament in December. There is a strong belief that Wright will play the remainder of the season with the Kraken when all is said and done, but if he does go down to the Kingston Frontenacs, he could end up being traded by the Frontenacs to another OHL club for a King's ransom.