After Meeting With Canadiens, Wright Will Meet With Devils In Jersey

As top NHL prospect Shane Wright told Montreal Hockey Now last week, he will have his first in-person meeting meeting with the Montreal Canadiens at the NHL Combine this week. As Sportsnet NHL insider Jeff Marek reported Saturday though, not only will Wright meet with the New Jersey Devils, who hold the second overall pick at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft at the combine in Buffalo, NY, but he will also be flown to Jersey by the team for more ‘extended’ interviews.

“This week is the NHL combine in Buffalo and player interviews, and players put through their paces and hear things like force played and these types of things,” Marek said on 32 Thoughts Saturday. “And all eyes are on Shane Wright and many believe he’ll be selected first overall and Montreal holds that pick and they’re hosting the draft as well, and on Monday Shane Wright will have his first conversation with the Montreal Canadiens.

Also, interestingly after the combine is done, the New Jersey Devils will fly Shane Wright to New Jersey for a series of extended interviews. I actually think New Jersey is going to bring six or seven other prospects as well, but most notably Shane Wright. The New Jersey Devils hold the second overall draft pick, unless they trade it.”

On Saturday, two NHL sources told Montreal Hockey now that chatter around the league is that the Montreal Canadiens will take Wright with the first overall pick at the 2022 NHL Draft on July 7 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

“The Canadiens have [Nick] Suzuki but then what on the NHL roster up the middle? They’ve got some good kids coming but then you add Wright? Now you’re tight up the middle as those kids come right?”

Montreal Canadiens prospect Riley Kidney is coming off a 100-point season and had two goals and six assists in the QMJHL playoffs thus far.

“Forget what they could bring in via trade or free agency, look at the potential of that 1-2-3 up the middle with Suzuki, Wright and Kidney” the latter source said.

Speaking of interviews, Shane Wright did an extensive one with MHN Montreal Canadiens beat reporter Marco D’Amico last week. Here’s the video: