(Denver) If Shane Wright is finally drafted by the Canadian, he will not miss opportunities to practice in front of the microphones.
Posted at 2:52 p.m.
Wright and prospects Cutter Gauthier, Conor Geekie and Matthew Savoie are in Denver on Saturday for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.
The four players, expected early in the 2022 draft, were therefore able to attend the Avalanche’s morning practice, in addition to chatting with a few players, then, of course, lending themselves to a press scrum.
For Wright, it’s an exercise in addition to the dozens of interviews granted in Buffalo, three weeks ago, at the National League evaluation camp.
“It’s really a busy schedule, but it’s exciting, launched Wright, surrounded by a good twenty journalists from all over the hockey world. There was the camp in Buffalo, which had been canceled for the past two years. And here I am here in the final for a game. I train, I try to be in the best shape possible. »
PHOTO guillaume lefrançois, THE PRESS
Shane Wright at the press scrum, Saturday morning in Denver
The $1000 Question
At each of these events, Wright receives a level of attention worthy of a first overall pick. Besides, his press scrum took place at the same time as that of poor Cutter Gauthier, who had a few fewer friends.
The problem is that we do not know if it will indeed come out first. The Slovak Juraj Slafkovsky, a big winger who turned heads on the international scene this winter, would also have seduced the Canadian, according to various echoes.
I have my own opinion of where I believe I should be drafted. But my opinion doesn’t matter and the decision is up to the Canadian. I would like to be drafted at 1er rank, but it’s not my decision.
Shane Wright
Wright still had dinner with the Canadiens in Buffalo three weeks ago. “I really liked that. I liked knowing their leaders. They told me about the city, the organization and their vision for the future. They want to build a winning team and I would love to be part of that,” the center described.
Opinions remain divided among those whose mandate is to follow these hopefuls full time. Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino rated Wright as the top prospect, while The Athletic’s Corey Pronman opted for Slafkovsky instead, despite sending Wright to Montreal in their mock draft.
Ready to take the leap
Whatever happens, Wright said he’s ready to play in the NHL next fall.
“I think I am. But I see that the game is very fast and I will have to adjust to it, and I will work on it this summer in the gym. That’s my goal,” he replied.
This Avalanche-Lightning series is also a good laboratory to study the different paths of the best hopes, since there are three players drafted in the 1er rank, and a set among the top five.
Steven Stamkos and Nathan MacKinnon, top of the class, both made the jump when they were 18 years old. In his second season, Stamkos reached the mark of 50 goals, while MacKinnon looked for a few years before exploding in his fifth season with 97 points.
On the other hand, Erik Johnson, drafted in 1er rank by St. Louis in 2006, played one season in college and made it to the NHL at 19. Hold Makar, 4e pick in 2017, even played two years in university, but he was dominant when he arrived in the NHL and won the Calder trophy.
“We were really trying to convince Cale to come and play with us,” Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar recalled after his team’s morning practice. But he wanted to go back to school and we supported him. The idea is not that the player tears and lose his confidence. It’s important that he feels confident in his abilities and that he is ready to really help you win. It’s really case by case. »
More recently, the first choice of the last draft, Owen Power, also opted for the school benches for his 18-year-old year, and will join the Sabers this fall.
“It depends on the situation,” Wright said. Makar and Power are defenders, while I am a striker, so the transition is different. It’s really case by case. It depends on the player and what the team thinks is the way forward. »
It only remains to know if the team that will make this decision will be the Montreal Canadiens or the New Jersey Devils.
Aubé-Kubel could skip his turn
Photo John Locher, Associated Press
Nicolas Aube-Kubel
The Colorado Avalanche may make a roster change for Game 2 of the Finals. Forward Nicolas Aubé-Kubel practiced with the reserves on Saturday morning, a sign suggesting he could be left out. Veteran Andrew Cogliano could take his place, he who participated in a second straight practice with his teammates. Cogliano had missed the first duel of the final.