DENVER – Shane Wright plans to become the first overall pick by the Montreal Canadians in next month’s NHL draft. He also knows that this is not his call.
“I have my own opinion about where to go, but at the end of the day, it’s out of my control. It doesn’t matter what my opinion is, what I say, what I think. It’s in the hands of Montreal and their management, “Wright told a news conference before Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final on Saturday.
After winning the draft lottery last month, Canadians picked up the first overall pick. Whoever goes first overall will have an exceptional moment in Montreal, as the draft is scheduled for July 7 at the Bell Center – the host city is also at the top for the first time since 1985.
For many years Wright has been considered the highest potential in this draft class. He was named the 15-year-old exceptional player for the 2019-20 Ontario Hockey League season, becoming the sixth player to gain early entry into the league. Others included Edmonton Oilers ‘NHL star Conor McDavid and Toronto Maple Leafs’ John Towers.
But as the draft draws closer, there are some doubts about Wright going first overall. He is not considered a franchise-level genius like McDavid or Austin Mathews. At the top of the draft are other interesting players like Slovakian winger Juraj Slafkowski and US National Development Program Centerman Logan Cooley.
With the New Jersey Devils at No. 2 and the Arizona Coyotes at No. 3, what was once certain for Wright is a little less.
Wright said, “I will accept whatever market I can find. This is the NHL. No matter what position I reach, no matter what team drafted me, I’m happy with it.
One thing Wright says he doesn’t do is read many fake drafts up to the draft.
“I don’t give them much thought. They really don’t … It’s hard to say they don’t care, because people spend a lot of time on them and they have a lot of thought processes going on. But personally, I think that’s what I’m doing. It doesn’t make much difference to them. “
Prospect Matthew Savoy has played against Wright since they were both 12 years old. While Wright played it well, Savoy said something important to him overall.
“I think he really wants to be the top choice,” he said. “There was a lot of discussion, a lot of speculation. But he is a great player. He works hard, plays well. This is a great option wherever you go in Montreal. “