Projected top pick Wright: I can 'make a difference' in NHL next season

Shane Wright is confident he's ready to make an immediate impact in the NHL next season.

"I think I am. I really do. Just based off watching out there, it's fast. It's going to be an adjustment at the start. The biggest thing is going to be the speed and just kind of learning the league," Wright told Sportsnet's Luke Fox.

"But I think with a lot of work this offseason, and with a lot of training and developing in training camp, and learning a lot from the coaches and other players, I think I can step in to really make a difference. And that's where I want to be. That's where I see myself, and I think that's the goal I set for myself for next year."

Wright has been the consensus top pick for the 2022 NHL Draft since he was granted exceptional status into the OHL at 15 years old. The 6-foot center put up 94 points in 63 games for the Kingston Frontenacs this season before adding 14 in 11 playoff contests.

The Montreal Canadiens are hosting this year's draft and also own the No. 1 pick. Wright recently met with Habs brass and gushed about the possibility of suiting up for the iconic franchise.

"I really love what they're all about, what they were saying about the city and describing the organization and describing where they want to go in the future and them wanting to build a winning franchise," Wright said.

Montreal hasn't drafted first overall since taking Doug Wickenheiser in the top spot in 1980. The New Jersey Devils and Arizona Coyotes round out the top three in this year's order.

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