Predators trade for former No. 4 pick Shane Wright

The Predators trade sending forward Matthew Wood to the Seattle Kraken for forward Shane Wright became official Sunday. It is a straight one-for-one swap, with no draft picks or other considerations attached, and both general managers confirmed the terms. Read more: Predators trade for Shane Wright in deal with Kraken

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet first reported the move, and both teams confirmed the Predators Kraken trade Sunday.

Wright, 22, was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 draft. Some scouts had also rated him a possible No. 1 that year. He debuted that October and became a full-time NHL player in 2024-25. Last season he played 74 games and scored 12 goals for 27 points.

This season he has three goals and four points in 14 games. He is also averaging 14 minutes 14 seconds a night with a 50 percent faceoff win rate. His career totals still sit at 39 goals and 82 points in 183 games.

Wood, 21, went 15th overall to Nashville in 2023 after two seasons at UConn and one season at Minnesota. He then turned pro in the spring of 2025. Wood scored 17 goals and finished with 30 points in 71 games last season. He also won 39.8 percent of his faceoffs, 82 of 206.

He has cooled since, managing one goal and three points in 14 games this season while averaging 14:03 in ice time.

Related: Stamkos beats old team as Predators top Lightning in shootout

Predators Kraken trade reaction

"We are excited to add Shane to our mix of forwards," Predators general manager Chris MacFarland said. He also added that Wright "will bring a strong two-way game to our team and will add to the pace of our lineup."

Related: Predators host Lightning in Saturday matinee

Kraken general manager Jason Botterill said Wood's "hockey sense and his shot are two of the best attributes that he can bring to our team." Wood still needs to add strength to his frame, he said.

The trade is MacFarland's 10th deal since he took over Nashville's front office in June 2026. It is also his second deal since the regular season began. Nashville is 5-4-5, trailing St. Louis for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Seattle is 8-5-1 and third in the Pacific Division.

Wright gets a new locker and a new number for Tuesday, when the Predators host Carolina for his first game in Nashville gold.