NHL
Predators Acquire Shane Wright From Kraken for Matthew Wood
Nashville adds the former fourth overall pick, while Seattle receives a young forward who scored 17 goals as a rookie last season.
The Nashville Predators acquired Shane Wright from the Seattle Kraken for Matthew Wood on Sunday, November 1, exchanging two young forwards who were selected in the first round of consecutive NHL drafts. Both teams announced the completed deal.
Wright, 22, was Seattle’s fourth overall selection in 2022. The center had three goals and one assist through 14 games this season, with 21 shots on goal and a 50 percent success rate on faceoffs. He arrives in Nashville during his third full NHL season.
His strongest scoring season came in 2024–25, when he produced 19 goals and 25 assists in 79 games. Last season, Wright finished with 12 goals and 15 assists in 74 appearances, alongside 59 blocked shots and 51 hits.
Nashville general manager Chris MacFarland said the club expects Wright to contribute on both sides of the puck and improve its pace, while continuing his development.
Wood, 21, gives Seattle a forward listed at 6 feet 4 and 202 pounds. Nashville drafted him 15th overall in 2023. He had one goal and two assists through 14 games this season, after recording 17 goals and 13 assists in 71 games last season.
Those 17 goals tied Wood for eighth among NHL rookies and placed him fourth on Nashville’s roster. He leaves the Predators with 18 goals and 16 assists across 91 career NHL games. He also recorded four points in five American Hockey League appearances with Milwaukee.
Kraken general manager Jason Botterill cited Wood’s size, shot and hockey sense in announcing the acquisition. Before turning professional, Wood played at Connecticut and Minnesota, totaling 101 points in 109 college games. Seattle’s announcement thanked Wright for his contributions to the organization and the city. Wood earned recognition in the Big Ten after scoring 39 points in 39 games during his final season.
