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With the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship in full swing, hockey fans and fantasy managers alike are offered a holistic preview of the next generation of stars in the making. Whether already drafted into the NHL, or projected for high selection next June, more than a few of these youngsters will dominate score sheets and carry fantasy rosters for years to come. But before we look ahead to what Canadian forward Logan Stankoven will offer Dallas starting next year, or how American Luke Hughes will enhance the makeup of the Devils’ blue line once he’s done at Michigan, or how winning the Connor Bedard draft lottery is appearing more delectable all the time, let’s have a brief gander at some prominent junior performers who are already making somewhat of an impact at the NHL level. Or might soon.
Shane Wright, F, Canada (Seattle Kraken/4th overall 2022): If Seattle’s showrunners already know what they’re going to do with their 2022 fourth-overall draft selection post-tourney, they’re not sharing yet. It certainly can’t be the easiest decision. While a permanent role with the AHL Coachella Valley Firebirds isn’t permitted (ridiculously so, but I digress), a gig sitting in the Kraken’s press box, or even seeing sparse ice time on the fourth line, hardly feels ideal. Neither does dominating kids in the OHL with the Kingston Frontenacs.
But Seattle has to soon decide on one course or the other for their future second-line center. Unless he kicks it up another notch, game by game, as the World Junior Championship wears on, and ends up dominating. Then could we see the Canadian Captain earn a shot at a third-line role with the Kraken, once the tournament wraps up? You never know.
Under such circumstances, he could remain fantasy-relevant in deeper redraft ESPN.com leagues. Otherwise, Wright…
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