Seattle Kraken Prospect Talk

[Brewin Flames]

2021-22 Top 10 Seattle Kraken Prospects

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Published on03/07/2022

AUTHOR

Peter Harling

The immediate success of the Vegas Golden Knights going all the way to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season is a tough act to follow. GM Ron Francis was not able to exploit the trade market the way George McPhee was able to. Perhaps the rest of the league was a little more gun-shy to trade picks and prospects to protect certain players. That left Francis with the expansion draft, entry draft, and free agency as his primary sources of player recruitment.

Francis collected a good team, better than an average expansion team, but a far cry from a Stanley Cup Contender, and closer to a draft lottery than a playoff team.

Seattle is currently sharing an AHL affiliation with Florida and will begin with their own AHL team in Palm Springs for the 2022-23 Season.

With an influx of prospects coming in the 2023 draft and a dedicated AHL development team coming the future looks brighter, but it’s going to be a long road.

 

1. Matty Beniers, C – Michigan University (NCAA)

Age: 19
Ht/Wt: 6-1/171
Drafted: 2021 round one, second overall by Seattle Kraken

Beniers had a tremendous draft season as a freshman with the Wolverines scoring 24 points in 24 games. He really made an impact at the World Junior with USA winning the Gold Medal and scoring three points. Beniers got a preview of pro hockey with USA again at the World Championship after the Wolverines season ended, adding a Bronze Medal to his growing collection of accolades and trophies.

The big three from the 2021 draft all returned to Michigan and will chase a NCAA Championship. Beniers has surpassed the point per game pace as a sophomore and again played for USA this time at the Olympics where he notched two points in four games. Look for Beniers to represent USA again when the rescheduled WJC resumes in August before he begins his pro career.

Beniers may not have been the prospect with the most offensive upside in his draft class, but he is a very reliable bet to be an impactful NHL player in the immediate future. Beniers has a motor that never quits. He is very versatile as he can play an offensive game, shut it down defensively and play physical. Seattle may have drafted their first franchise player as Beniers has Jonathan Toews upside.

 

2. Ryker Evans, D – Regain Pats (WHL)

Age: 20
Ht/Wt: 6-0/192
Drafted: 2021 round two, 35^th overall by Seattle Kraken

Seattle selected the overage Evans from the WHL with their second overall selection in their inaugural draft. Evans could have made the move to the AHL this year but rather than let him play in a split affiliate situation he was returned to the WHL for his overage season. He’s been is getting big minutes and dominating the league. For the second season, Evans has surpassed the point per game pace as a defenseman and is on pace for a 70+ point season with over 100 penalty minutes as well.

Evans excels at retrieving pucks and making a quick transition to offense. He is a late bloomer both physically and skill wise. His physical game is an asset as he continues to grow and fill out his frame. Evans should see some pro adjustment and development time next year when the Kraken prospects debut in Palm Springs. The wait time for Evans to be NHL ready will be short and his path to the NHL has fewer obstacles as the Kraken are a young organization.

 

3. Ryan Winterton, RW – Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)

Age: 18
Ht/Wt: 6-2/190
Drafted: 2021 round three, 67^th overall by Seattle Kraken

Winterton did not play in any league games in his draft year as the OHL was locked down and he did not find a club in a European league. Winterton played in just seven games for Team Canada at the U-18, where he played well posting four points.

An injury cost him to miss a significant chunk of time in his D+1 season as well but when he has played, he has been outstanding. The big forward has produced 13 goals and 28 points in just 19 games for the Bulldogs.

Winterton is one of the younger, but bigger players in the 2021 draft. He is a very versatile player in that he can play all three forward positions, can drive offense with his skill, and is used defensively as well. He uses his size well and drives the net. The Kraken seem to have a style of player they prefer and Winterton fits that to a tee. His development in his D+1 season is rewarding the Kraken in their faith in selecting him 67^th overall with such a small sample size.

 

4. Kole Lind, RW – Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

Age: 23
Ht/Wt: 6-1/180
Drafted: 2017 round two, 33^rd overall by Vancouver Canucks

Selected in the expansion draft from the Vancouver Canucks, Lind began the season in the NHL playing five games and recording two assists before being reassigned to the AHL. Drafted back in 2017, Lind now has 169 career games played in the AHL with Utica and the Checkers. The 23-year-old has 103 career points in that span, plays a power forward style of game.

He’s a versatile forward that can play all three positions and is a good defensive player as well. Lind has shown steady and consistent development over his career and is on the cusp of breaking into the NHL on a full-time basis. The concern for Lind has been his skating, he lacks speed at the NHL level.

 

5. Joey Daccord, G – Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

Age: 25
Ht/Wt: 6-2/196
Drafted: 2015 round seven, 199^th overall by Ottawa Senators

It has been a long road to the NHL for Daccord, the son of Brain Daccord who is the current Assistant GM for Arizona Coyotes and was the Toronto Maple Leafs Goalie Coach at the time of his draft. Daccord played for the Arizona State Sun Devils in the NCAA for three seasons after his draft and established himself as one of the premier goalies in the NCAA.

After turning pro in 2019 he quickly moved up from the ECHL to the Belleville Senators with a strong 15-6-3 record. Daccord played in eight NHL games during the 2020-21 COVID season on a challenged Ottawa Senators team but played well.

With Philip Grubauer as the starting goalie in Seattle, the Kraken have allowed Daccord more development time in the AHL with Charlotte. The challenge for Daccord to crack the roster is that Driedger is under contract through the 2023-24 season and Daccord is already 25 years old.

 

6. Alexander True, C – Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

Age: 24
Ht/Wt: 6-5/201
Drafted: Signed as a free agent by San Jose Sharks in 2018

The big Danish center played three seasons in the WHL in Seattle for the Thunderbirds but was passed over in drafts due to skating deficiencies. True is a skilled forward and uses his size to muscle opposition off pucks, insulate and protect the puck and get under the skin of the other team.

The Sharks originally signed True out of the WHL to an AHL contract with the Barracuda whereas a rookie, True posted 28 points earning his ELC with the Sharks. True reward them by posting 55 points in his sophomore season and then making his NHL debut the following season.

True has been splitting time between the NHL and AHL and represented Denmark in the 2021 WC with two points in seven games there. True began the season in the AHL after being selected from the Sharks in the expansion draft and was recalled for eight NHL games with the Kraken and has since been returned to the AHL.

True fits the mold of what Seattle is looking for – a big physical and skilled player. If his skating concerns can be improved, he could develop into a solid bottom-six forward, but at 24 years old, the clock is ticking.

 

7. Ty Kartye, C – Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

Age: 20
Ht/Wt: 6-1/198
Drafted: Signed as free agent in 2022 by Seattle Kraken

Seattle dipped into the free agent pool to sign undrafted prospect Ty Kartye from the OHL. The 20-year-old Kingston native posted 53 points in 64 games in his draft season back in 2020 with the Soo but went undrafted. With no OHL play in his D+1 season to showcase himself he was undrafted again in 2021.

Kartye was already on the Kraken radar at this point as he was invited to the Kraken training camp this past September. Now at 20 he has returned to the OHL and sits 5^th in the league in scoring with 33 goals through 46 games. His play this season was enough to convince Ron Francis to offer Kartye his ELC. Kartye will turn pro following the conclusion of his OHL career and with such a shallow prospect pool, could be on a short track to the NHL.

 

8. Luke Henman, C – Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

Age: 21
Ht/Wt: 6-0/168
Drafted: 2018 round four, 96^th overall by Carolina Hurricanes

Originally drafted by Ron Francis with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2018, Henman went unsigned and became a free agent. Francis made Henman the first player in Seattle Kraken history when he signed him as a free agent to his ELC on May 12 in 2021. Henman played his junior hockey in the QMJHL with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, the final two as team captain and posting well over a point per game production.

Henman is 6-0 but has a slight frame and needs to add some bulk as a rookie at the pro level. He started the season in the AHL and was sent to the ECHL for a brief three-game tour. After scoring six points with the Allen Americans, he was recalled to the AHL where he now has nine points through 34 games. Henman will need to add some strength and find his offensive game at the AHL level to be given serious consideration for the Kraken roster.

 

9. Jacob Melanson, RW – Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL)

Age: 18
Ht/Wt: 6-0/205
Drafted: 2021 round five, 131^st overall by Seattle Kraken

Yet another big strong power forward with skill. Melanson is also a versatile forward, capable of fitting into the Titan roster at different positions and in any situation. Melanson was selected 15^th overall by the Quebec Ramparts in the 2019 QMJHL Entry Draft.

After a trade demand following his rookie season where he recorded ten points in 39 games, he was limited to just 18 games in his draft year but posted 19 points. Now in his D+1 season, he continues to produce at a point per game pace with 19 goals and 29 points through 32 games, with 51 penalty minutes.

Melanson plays a physical game, has good skill and vision but may have to work on skating skills to be successful at the pro level. Melanson has one more season of junior eligibility before he embarks on his pro career.

 

10. Ville Ottavainen, D – JYP (Liiga)

Age: 19
Ht/Wt: 6-4/201
Drafted: 2021 round four, 99^th overall by Seattle Kraken

The towering Finnish defender is a fluid skating defensive defender. Ottavainen is a physical presence at the back end, and somewhat of a throwback to the old school big mean physical defenseman, but his skating is a strength in his game. Ottavainen will likely never run the first unit power play or be a big offensive leader.

[Brewin Flames]

Seattle Kraken sign 2nd-round pick Ryker Evans to 3-year, entry level deal

7:43 PM ET

• Associated Press

SEATTLE -- The Seattle Kraken signed defenseman Ryker Evans to a three-year entry level contract Friday, locking up the second draft pick in franchise history.

 

Evans was picked No. 35 overall by the Kraken in last summer's NHL entry draft. The 20-year-old just completed his fourth season of junior hockey for the Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League.

 

"He had a really impressive season with the Regina Pats and we're looking forward to having him continue his development with our organization," Seattle general manager Ron Francis said.

 

Evans set career highs in goals, assists, points, penalty minutes and game-winning goals this past season for the Pats. Evans had 14 goals and 47 assists, and he finished seventh among all defensemen in the WHL in scoring.

[Brewin Flames]

https://thehockeywriters.com/kraken-prospect-report-2021-draft-class/#sq_h3xnqa1atw

[Brewin Flames]

PROSPECT POOL OVERVIEW: SEATTLE KRAKEN

The NHL's newest franchise has built up an impressive prospect pool in a short time. Tony Ferrari looks at the team's future and the top names in the system already.

• TONY FERRARI

The NHL’s newest franchise has begun building a solid prospect pool -- essentially because they have to. 

 

They still have a long way to go, but through moves throughout the past two years, they've managed to grab some young prospects that should be key parts of the team's growth in the near future.

 

Their first-ever draft pick was Matty Beniers, the second overall pick in the 2021 draft. The two-way center out of the University of Michigan made his debut last year after the NCAA season wrapped up and he’s expected to be a full-timer this season. Having Shane Wright fall into their laps at fourth overall secured them a 1-2 punch down the middle of Beniers and Wright, creating one of the more intriguing young forward duos in the game.

 

On the blueline, Ty Nelson is a short defender but is built stalky and has some incredible strength for his frame. He's a good skater with the offensive instincts that could make him a difference-maker at the next level. Ryker Evans is an impressive transition blueliner, with his passing ability and willingness to activate off the blueline making him noteworthy. Ville Ottavainen is a defense-first blueliner who hit his stride in the Liiga last year. He understands how to cut off routes and quickly break up the play with efficiency.

 

Ryan Winterton is another interesting prospect. He didn’t play during his draft season, but the Kraken saw something in his tools that could project and he wound up being well over a point-per-game last season. Starting the year injured didn’t help, but Winterton eventually got his season on track.

2022 NHL DRAFT CLASS

Round 1 (4 Overall) - Shane Wright, C, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
Round 2 (35 Overall) - Jagger Firkus, RW, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
Round 2 (49 Overall) - Jani Nyman, RW, Ilves Tampere (Liiga)
Round 2 (58 Overall) - Niklas Kokko, G, Karpat (U20 SM-sarja)
Round 2 (61 Overall) - David Goyette, C, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
Round 3 (68 Overall) - Ty Nelson, D, North Bay Battalion (OHL)
Round 3 (91 Overall) - Ben MacDonald, C, Noble and Greenough (USHS - Mass.)
Round 4 (100 Overall) - Tyson Jugnauth, D, West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL)
Round 4 (123 Overall) - Tucker Robertson, C, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
Round 6 (164 Overall) - Barrett Hall, F, Gentry Academy (USHS - Minn)
Round 7 (196 Overall) - Kyle Jackson, C, North Bay Battalion (OHL)

 

The Krakens’ draft class was among the most impressive league-wide. They made eight selections in the top 100 picks with several interesting swings and high upside picks. The weekend started with the expected first overall pick, Wright, falling to Seattle at fourth overall. A highly intelligent and tactical center, Wright put up 94 points in 63 games after virtually not playing the year before as the OHL shut down for COVID. Wright improved his scoring rates month by month as the year wore on. His two-way game is predicated on his anticipatory play, quickly turning play around and helping exit the zone with efficiency. Wright could very well turn into a player akin to Jonathan Toews or Ryan O'Reilly, which should excite Kraken fans.

 

In the second round, the Kraken made four picks, beginning with the human video game that is Jagger Firkus. Firkus combines incredible puck control and hands with a willingness to try things others could only dream of. Whether it’s a puck between the legs move or a windmill deke, the Moose Jaw Warriors winger will embarrass his opponent with it. He also boasts a wicked shot and creative passing ability. If he were a bit taller and stronger, he would have been a top-15 candidate.

Jani Nyman is a hard-working winger with some finishing ability who played at a point-per-game pace at the Mestis level this year. He stands at 6-foot-3 and has  good mobility, although working on his agility would give him more dynamism offensively. Nyman is a shooter at heart, but his playmaking certainly isn’t subpar. 

One of the purest playmakers in the draft class, David Goyette is a filthy passer who can thread the needle all over the offensive zone. He has some sneaky scoring touch but focuses much of his energy on improving teammates. Should the Sudbury Wolves forward decide to shoot more, he could become a more well-rounded player overall.

Sandwiched between Nyman and Goyette, the Kraken drafted Finnish netminder Niklas Kokko. He has good size and a solid track record of junior-level success. Kokko plays with body control and wants to stay within his crease. He isn’t the most athletic netminder but he stays square and covers the net well with his technique.

Ty Nelson is an undersized defenseman that's built like a mini fridge with impressive strength and a booming shot. Nelson isn’t afraid to engage physically and defends hard but will need to continue getting stronger and take better routes defensively. His offensive game is dynamic, and he has game-breaking ability at times.

 

The Krakens’ second pick of the third round was U.S. high school center Ben MacDonald. He plays a strong two-way game and uses his penchant for physical engagement at both ends of the ice, throwing his body around in his end and lowering his shoulder in the offensive zone to drive the net.

 

Tyson Jugnauth was one of the BCHL’s best puck movers from the back end, using his skating and passing acumen in transition. Heading to the University of Wisconsin, Jugnauth will have ample time to refine some of his game's defensive aspects while physically maturing.

 

Tucker Robertson was one of the more intriguing overage players in the class. He missed his draft season because of COVID, but he bounced back with 41 goals with the Peterborough Petes of the OHL. Robertson understands timing and space well, and while he needs to work on his skating to become more efficient, he was a good late-round pickup.

STRENGTHS

The center depth that the Kraken has built up is impressive. They have one of the most impressive groups at the top end of their center pipeline, but because they're new to the league, they still lack depth. Having Beniers and Wright up front is a mix most teams dream they could have.

WEAKNESSES

The defense position is a weak point in the Kraken system. They have a few higher upside players, but they have largely used their higher picks on forwards. Ryker Evans and Ty Nelson are quality prospects but they're still missing their stud blueliner.

NEXT MAN UP: C MATTY BENIERS

Beniers jumped into the Kraken lineup last season after his year with the University of Michigan ended and immediately made an impact. Collecting nine points in 10 games, Beniers was among the best players on the ice for the Kraken down that stretch and should start the season as Seattle's No. 1 center. There’s no reason to believe that Beniers won't be in the conversation for next year’s Calder Trophy.

PROSPECT DEPTH CHART NOTABLES

LW: Justin Janicke, Ville Petman, Kyle Jackson
Matty Beniers, Shane Wright, David Goyette
RW: Jagger Firkus, Jani Nyman, Tucker Roberston, Ryan Winterton
LD: Ryker Evans, Peetro Seppälä, Tyson Jugnauth
RD: Ty Nelson, Ville Ottavainen
G: Niklas Kokko, Semyon Vyazovoy

Edited August 16, 2022 by Brewin Flames

[OccamsRazor]

Is this what they are looking  at??
 

LW	C	RW
ANDRE BURAKOVSKY	MATTHEW BENIERS	OLIVER BJORKSTRAND
JADEN SCHWARTZ	ALEXANDER WENNBERG	JORDAN EBERLE
JARED MCCANN	YANNI GOURDE	KARSON KUHLMAN
BRANDON TANEV	MORGAN GEEKIE	JOONAS DONSKOI

 

 

 

DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS
VINCE DUNN	ADAM LARSSON
JAMIE OLEKSIAK	JUSTIN SCHULTZ
CARSON SOUCY	WILLIAM BORGEN

 

 

GOALIES
PHILIPP GRUBAUER	MARTIN JONES

 

 

Not bad in moving in the upward direction. Another good draft can only help.

 

A stud goalie could go a long ways too.

[Brewin Flames]

Kraken sign 2022 second-rounder to entry-level contract

Story by Brian La Rose, • Yesterday 7:58 PM

 

 

Seattle Kraken jersey© Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Kraken have signed one of their top draft picks from 2022, as CapFriendly reports (Twitter link) that the franchise has inked forward Jani Nyman to a three-year, entry-level contract.  The deal will carry an AAV of $950K and breaks down as follows:

2023-24: $775K salary, $95K signing bonus, $80K games-played performance bonus

2024-25: $855K salary, $95K signing bonus

2025-26: $855K salary, $95K signing bonus