Has Shane Wright turned the Kraken’s third line into their best weapon?

Earlier this season, the Seattle Kraken found themselves leaning heavily on their “chaos crew” 4th line of Tye Kartye, Yanni Gourde, and Brandon Tanev. This trio brought unmatched energy and delivered thrilling moments, but their contributions often felt like the cherry on top of a cake that wasn’t there. The rest of the team’s offensive output lacked the consistency needed to support such excitement.

Fast forward a few weeks, and the conversation has shifted dramatically, thanks in large part to Shane Wright. After being a healthy scratch for three consecutive games, Wright returned to the lineup and immediately made his presence felt. His opening goal and assist on the game-winner in a 3-2 victory signaled a turning point—not just for Wright, but for the entire Kraken third line.

A line reborn

Since Wright’s return, the third line, featuring Oliver Bjorkstrand, Eeli Tolvanen, and Wright himself, has become the Kraken’s most consistent scoring unit. In an eight-game stretch, this trio has contributed to 16 of the team’s 30 goals, combining for a staggering 53% of the offensive output during that time.

Individually, the numbers are just as impressive:

• Oliver Bjorkstrand: 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists), 3 power-play points
• Shane Wright: 9 points (6 goals, 3 assists), 4 power-play points
• Eeli Tolvanen: 7 points (3 goals, 5 assists), 1 power-play point

These contributions reflect a newfound synergy. What was once a disjointed middle-six has evolved into a line that opponents can no longer ignore.

Depth that delivers

This resurgence answers one of the Kraken’s biggest questions earlier in the season: Where is the depth scoring? Jared McCann had been doing the heavy lifting offensively, while the rest of the forward group provided occasional sparks without much staying power. Now, with the third line firing on all cylinders, Seattle finally has a reliable secondary scoring threat to complement its top players.

What’s particularly striking is the consistency this group has maintained. In each of the past eight games, at least one member of the third line has registered a point. This reliability has provided a crucial foundation for a team still striving to find its groove across the board. While the results remain somewhat uneven, the emergence of this line offers a bright spot in an otherwise inconsistent season.

Building the Kraken’s offense brick by brick

The Kraken are still a work in progress. The top two lines are undergoing adjustments as coach Dan Bylsma experiments with new combinations to spark production. But the third line, anchored by Wright, feels like a finished product—a solid layer in the offensive structure Seattle has been trying to build.

Shane Wright’s return has been about more than individual redemption. His resurgence has elevated his linemates, transformed Seattle’s middle-six, and provided the team with the consistency it desperately needed. If this line can maintain its momentum, it might just serve as the foundation for a Kraken offense ready to rise to the next level.