Although he’s revolutionized the roster completely, Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka is widely believed to be active as free agency winds down. Chayka has worked tirelessly to revamp the Maple Leafs, from all facets of the organization, during his first summer at the wheel in Toronto. Morgan Rielly is widely believed to still be on the trade block, although Chayka and head coach Jim Hiller have both publicly endorsed the team’s longest-tenured player, while trying to find a destination that he’d waive his no-move clause for.

Seattle Kraken forward Shane Wright could be a tremendous addition for the Maple Leafs. Wright has been on the national radar since he was 14 years old, after gaining exceptional status into the Canadian Hockey League, following a prolific minor hockey career with the Don Mills Flyers. I attended the 2019 OHL Cup Final, where Wright was the best player on the ice, in a game that included Brandt Clarke and Adam Fantilli among other pros. He hasn’t lived up to his potential in the NHL, at least as a scorer, but his analytical profile certainly bodes well. Seattle posted a plus-six goal differential and a 50.4 share of the expected goals when Wright was on the ice at 5-on-5 last year, via Natural Stat Trick, and posted a greater than 60 percent share in Wright’s first two seasons. He could be a defensive stalwart down the middle, while still years away from his prime.

Here’s what Daily Faceoff’s Mike Gould wrote about the Leafs potentially acquiring Wright in a trade with the Kraken:

Although we certainly hold a more optimistic view of the Maple Leafs’ future than Gould, what’s clear is that the team needs to prioritize youth, while considering flexibility and optionality, core concepts for Chayka. Two years are indeed a long time in professional sports, and whether you like it or not, McKenna is the future of the franchise. Wright would provide Toronto with another core under-25 piece to go alongside McKenna, Matthew Knies, Easton Cowan, and the emerging Ben Danford (Friday’s guest on Leafs Morning Take!) while being provided a fresh start, insulated by several veterans who will be pushing for the Hockey Hall of Fame at the end of their careers.

Chayka has delineated top-six and bottom-six roles for his forward corps. Wright may serve as a bridge between a true No. 2 and No. 3 centre, with the potential for his offensive game to take a leap, while quietly morphing into a Selke-calibre centre when he reaches his peak. The risk is certainly worth it for the Maple Leafs, especially if Rielly plus a prospect is the asking price. It’s certainly something worth considering, and we’ll be on the case if Chayka elects for another massive trade.