Brewin Flames Posted June 10, 2022 Share Posted June 10, 2022 Written By Ian Kennedy.... After watching how the Vegas Golden Knights handled expansion, the Seattle Kraken took the slow and steady path, looking more like the expansion clubs of old. They struggled from start to finish, but have managed to acquire a dearth of draft picks. This year that will include the fourth overall pick and four picks in the second round. The crown jewel in Seattle’s organization is 2021 second overall selection Matty Beniers. Behind Beniers, there is far less certainty in the Kraken’s depth charts. They’ll look to address much of that at the draft. Top prospects Matty Beniers, Seattle took an interesting gamble burning a year of Bernier’s entry-level contract to insert him into the final 10 games of a losing campaign, in which he recorded nine points. His resume this season includes representing the USA at the Olympics, leading the Big 10 in scoring and being named a First Team All-American with Michigan. Next year, Beniers will immediately be tasked with a top-six role where his intelligence will make him an early Calder Trophy contender. Pickard Signature Platinum Monogrammed 5 Piece China Set Ryker Evans, When the Seattle Kraken selected Evans 35th overall in 2021, many thought the team had made a blunder in their first draft reaching for the left-shot defenseman well ahead of his ranking. This season, however, Evans looked like a high-end offensive defender, and once he adds strength, he could make Seattle’s scouting staff look like they knew his potential all along. Evans likes to jump into, and sometimes lead, the rush, which propelled the blueliner to 61 points in 63 games with the WHL's Regina Pats this year. He will head to the AHL next season where his all-around game will be challenged. Ryan Winterton, Selected 67th overall by Seattle last year, Winterton missed all of 2020-21 campaign due to the pandemic and then started this year shelved by a shoulder injury. Upon his return, however, Winterton quickly shook off the rust scoring more than a point per game in the regular season and playoffs for the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs. He’s a prospect a few seasons out from his NHL debut, but Winterton is trending in the right direction. One to watch In need of depth in their prospect pool, Seattle dipped into the European free agent market signing 21-year-old defender Peetro Seppälä. A member of Finland’s U18 and world junior roster in recent years, Seppälä is not an unknown, but he didn’t show well at international tournaments. Now 6-foot-2 and with two seasons of Liiga play under his belt, Seppälä jumped from eight points in 39 games as a rookie, to 29 points in 57 games this year. If he fares well early next season in the AHL, Seppälä could earn his first NHL action. Or, if things don’t go as planned, he could be a one-and-done trial. Ready to step in While Beniers is the logical choice and will certainly be in Seattle next season carving out his reputation as a star in the making, it’s a pair of affordable depth options Seattle will likely pencil in to bottom-six roles to begin the season. Kole Lind and Alex True have paid their dues in the AHL and are ready for a full-time opportunity. Lind had an extended stint in Seattle this year, giving him the edge in this race, but True will be in the fight for a fourth-line position as well. Needs at the draft Everything. Seattle’s prospect pool is shallow after only a single draft. The team needs to stock up on picks and hope that a few hit. The Kraken select fourth at the draft which could put them in a prime position to address organizational depth on the blueline. Evans is their top defensive prospect, but the team does not have a future cornerstone on the back end. That could change should the team use their pick to select Czechian David Jiricek or Slovak Simon Nemec. Different players in what they offer, both are projected as future top-pairing defenders. When GM Ron Francis steps to the microphone in July, don’t be surprised to see one of these European prospects announced. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
After watching how the Vegas Golden Knights handled expansion, the Seattle Kraken took the slow and steady path, looking more like the expansion clubs of old. They struggled from start to finish, but have managed to acquire a dearth of draft picks. This year that will include the fourth overall pick and four picks in the second round. The crown jewel in Seattle’s organization is 2021 second overall selection Matty Beniers. Behind Beniers, there is far less certainty in the Kraken’s depth charts. They’ll look to address much of that at the draft. Top prospects Matty Beniers, Seattle took an interesting gamble burning a year of Bernier’s entry-level contract to insert him into the final 10 games of a losing campaign, in which he recorded nine points. His resume this season includes representing the USA at the Olympics, leading the Big 10 in scoring and being named a First Team All-American with Michigan. Next year, Beniers will immediately be tasked with a top-six role where his intelligence will make him an early Calder Trophy contender. Pickard Signature Platinum Monogrammed 5 Piece China Set Ryker Evans, When the Seattle Kraken selected Evans 35th overall in 2021, many thought the team had made a blunder in their first draft reaching for the left-shot defenseman well ahead of his ranking. This season, however, Evans looked like a high-end offensive defender, and once he adds strength, he could make Seattle’s scouting staff look like they knew his potential all along. Evans likes to jump into, and sometimes lead, the rush, which propelled the blueliner to 61 points in 63 games with the WHL's Regina Pats this year. He will head to the AHL next season where his all-around game will be challenged. Ryan Winterton, Selected 67th overall by Seattle last year, Winterton missed all of 2020-21 campaign due to the pandemic and then started this year shelved by a shoulder injury. Upon his return, however, Winterton quickly shook off the rust scoring more than a point per game in the regular season and playoffs for the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs. He’s a prospect a few seasons out from his NHL debut, but Winterton is trending in the right direction. One to watch In need of depth in their prospect pool, Seattle dipped into the European free agent market signing 21-year-old defender Peetro Seppälä. A member of Finland’s U18 and world junior roster in recent years, Seppälä is not an unknown, but he didn’t show well at international tournaments. Now 6-foot-2 and with two seasons of Liiga play under his belt, Seppälä jumped from eight points in 39 games as a rookie, to 29 points in 57 games this year. If he fares well early next season in the AHL, Seppälä could earn his first NHL action. Or, if things don’t go as planned, he could be a one-and-done trial. Ready to step in While Beniers is the logical choice and will certainly be in Seattle next season carving out his reputation as a star in the making, it’s a pair of affordable depth options Seattle will likely pencil in to bottom-six roles to begin the season. Kole Lind and Alex True have paid their dues in the AHL and are ready for a full-time opportunity. Lind had an extended stint in Seattle this year, giving him the edge in this race, but True will be in the fight for a fourth-line position as well. Needs at the draft Everything. Seattle’s prospect pool is shallow after only a single draft. The team needs to stock up on picks and hope that a few hit. The Kraken select fourth at the draft which could put them in a prime position to address organizational depth on the blueline. Evans is their top defensive prospect, but the team does not have a future cornerstone on the back end. That could change should the team use their pick to select Czechian David Jiricek or Slovak Simon Nemec. Different players in what they offer, both are projected as future top-pairing defenders. When GM Ron Francis steps to the microphone in July, don’t be surprised to see one of these European prospects announced.
Brewin Flames Posted June 10, 2022 Author Share Posted June 10, 2022 (edited) Seattle Kraken Draft History at hockeydb.com NHL Totals Draft Num. Round Player Pos Drafted From GP G A Pts PIM 2022 Entry 4 1 Shane Wright C Kingston Frontenacs [OHL] 2022 Entry 35 2 Jagger Firkus R Moose Jaw Warriors [WHL] 2022 Entry 49 2 Jani Nyman R Ilves Tampere [SM-liiga] 2022 Entry 58 2 Niklas Kokko G Karpat (Finland Jrs.) 2022 Entry 61 2 David Goyette C Sudbury Wolves [OHL] 2022 Entry 68 3 Ty Nelson D North Bay Battalion [OHL] 2022 Entry 91 3 Ben MacDonald C Noble and Greenough (Mass. H.S.) 2022 Entry 100 4 Tyson Jugnauth D West Kelowna Warriors [BCHL] 2022 Entry 123 4 Tucker Robertson C Peterborough Petes [OHL] 2022 Entry 164 6 Barrett Hall F Gentry Academy (Minn. H.S.) 2022 Entry 196 7 Kyle Jackson C North Bay Battalion [OHL] Edited July 8, 2022 by Brewin Flames Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Lando Posted June 17, 2022 Share Posted June 17, 2022 This team unless they make a gigantic mistake in the first round should definitely get one of the two top defensemen or Matthew Savoie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TropicalFruitGirl26 Posted June 17, 2022 Share Posted June 17, 2022 Heh...Mr. Ian Kennedy will have to review some of his vocabulary as "dearth of draft picks" doesn't really apply to the Kraken (I think 'abundance' or even 'surfeit' if he wanted to get fancy, was what he was looking for!) At any rate, yes, Seattle did indeed take the 'slow and steady' route in expansion development, and Ron Francis will have to have a good draft either via picks or using his "dearth" of picks as currency to get an established good player or two. Ron Francis as GM should worry Seattle fans however. Very good player, but still questionable executive. He seems to have the defensive part of the equation down when it comes to drafting and developing, but not so sure he has the offensive part of it. His former Carolina Hurricanes were always pretty decent to good defensively, but always lacked scoring. Also, and it is probably unfair to compare, if you wanna put him up against that other expansion GM George McPhee, well, the two couldn't be more different. Francis, for better or worse, seems to play things "safer", while Mr. McPhee is highly aggressive, proactive, and a major league negotiator judging by his past transactions. I'm rooting for Francis and the Kraken to do well in this draft because from all accounts I've read or been told, he is a good human being, really does try his best to give to his teams the best HE thinks he can give them, and I really would like to see the Kraken be more than just an NHL doormat in the Pacific. Some future star player pickups in the draft or via trade using picks would be in order as it seems Seattle already has the secondary type guys in there. Oh, and hey....former TB Lightning Yanni Gourde, 30, is a top flight secondary/support type guy....something a McPhee would do would be to maybe try moving him for two players that fill needs in other areas. Would Francis have that kind of foresight? Probably the same with Jordan Eberle (32) or Jaden Schwartz (29). Pretty sure some contenders out there would give Francis the young players he would like for any of those three to add onto their own team for Cup runs. We will see soon enough what the Kraken do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewin Flames Posted July 7, 2022 Author Share Posted July 7, 2022 The Seattle Kraken have selected center Shane Wright fourth in the 2022 NHL Draft. Wright had been the favorite to be selected with the top pick in the 2022 NHL Draft since he was granted exceptional player status as a 15-year-old to enter the OHL so the fall to number four was significant. He had 39 goals and 66 points in 58 games with Kingston that year, but lost the 2020-21 campaign when the OHL suspended play due to COVID. He rebounded nicely this season with a 32-goal, 94-point performance in 63 contests as the captain of the Frontenacs. Wright has tremendous hockey smarts and plays an outstanding two-way game. His skating skills are outstanding as well, but he tends to slow the game down when he should be using his ability to his advantage. He should fit in nicely to the Kraken plans and should stick out at training camp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewin Flames Posted July 8, 2022 Author Share Posted July 8, 2022 (edited) Shane Wright Selected No. 4 Overall by Kraken in 2022 NHL Draft ERIN WALSHJULY 7, 2022 Chris Tanouye/Getty Images The Seattle Kraken landed the steal of the 2022 NHL draft, selecting center Shane Wright with the fourth overall pick on Thursday at Bell Centre. This is a significant get for the Kraken as Wright was widely believed to be the best player available in this year's draft class following a standout career with the Ontario Hockey League's Kingston Frontenacs. Wright has spent the last three years of his career with the Frontenacs, though he didn't play the 2020-21 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and was allowed to enter the OHL one year early when he was just 15 years old. Wright was named the team's captain for the 2021-22 season and, after getting out to a slow start, proved why he's the best player in this year's NHL draft class with a strong second half. The 18-year-old finished the year with 32 goals and 62 assists for 94 points in 63 regular-season games and added three goals and 11 assists in 11 playoff games. The Frontenacs were eliminated from the OHL playoffs with a semifinals loss to the North Bay Battalion. Despite not playing for the Frontenacs during the 2020-21 campaign, Wright represented Team Canada at the Under-18 World Championships, helping lead the Canadians to a gold medal. He dominated the tournament, tallying nine goals and five assists in five games. Wright also represented Team Canada at the World Junior Tournament, appearing in two games, tallying one assist, before it was rescheduled to August because of a COVID-19 outbreak. The 6'1", 187-pound center has improved his skating over the last year and can really do it all offensively. He is a pure goal scorer but also has the ability to be a playmaker with great puck possession skills, high IQ and elite vision. In addition, Wright can play solid defensively with good positioning and pressure on the back check. He has most often been compared to Patrice Bergeron, and if he can play anything like the Boston Bruins center, the Habs will certainly been in good hands for many years to come. Wright should enter Seattle's lineup immediately. The team struggled to a 27-49-6 record during the 2021-22 season, one of the worst finishes in the league, and could use a player of his caliber to provide a boost. Edited July 8, 2022 by Brewin Flames Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewin Flames Posted July 8, 2022 Author Share Posted July 8, 2022 4. Seattle Kraken: Shane Wright, C Team: Kingston (OHL) | Rank: NAS1DOB: 1/5/2004 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 191 | Shot: RStats: GP: 63 | G: 32 | A: 62 How he fits: Wright's slide to No. 4 had to feel excruciating. For years, the Kingston Frontenacs center was projected to be this draft's top prospect. He was just the sixth player to ever be granted exceptional status in the OHL and put up 39 goals and 66 points in 58 games as a 15-year-old freshman en route to winning rookie of the year. After the COVID-19 pandemic cost him all of the 2020-21 season, he returned in 2021-22 with an underwhelming start that produced only 22 points in 19 games. He finished strong with 94 points in 63 games but many scouts (rightly) began predicting Wright had opened the door for others to unseat him as the consensus No. 1. That's exactly what happened. New Jersey had the No. 2 and didn't need another center; Arizona went with a different center at No. 3. The Kraken finally pulled Wright off the board. While not a generational talent, Wright has the potential to develop into a No. 1 center. At 6-0 and 191 pounds, Wright possesses good size and is a strong skater who's impressively elusive with quickness to beat defenders to pucks. Add to that excellent hockey sense, outstanding playmaking ability and finish around the net. No doubt his slide down the draft board will motivate Wright when he does reach the NHL. And he's likely closer to being NHL-ready than most No. 4 picks. That's good news for the expansion Kraken, who can mold Wright into a franchise centerpiece. - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewin Flames Posted July 8, 2022 Author Share Posted July 8, 2022 Comlpete list of Seattle Kraken Draft Picks 2022 No. 4 | Shane Wright | Center The 6-foot, 191-pound Wright notched 94 points (32 goals, 62 assists) in 63 games for his Kingston franchise in the Ontario Hockey League. He added 14 points in 11 playoff games, including an overtime winner to win a series. The future Kraken forward is a much-decorated Canadian national team player. He captained the 2021 gold-medal Team Canada squad at the U18 World Championships. No. 35 | Jagger Firkus | Forward Seattle leaned into offensive production Friday with its first of four second-round picks at the NHL Draft, selecting Jagger Firkus of the Western Hockey League Moose Jaw (SK) Warriors. The right-wing notched 80 points (36 goals, 44 assists) in 66 games last season and was named player of the game at the annual elite juniors Canadian Hockey League. Firkus added six goals and six assists in 10 playoff games. No. 49 | Jani Nyman | Forward The draft's No. 49 pick is new Seattle prospect Jani Nyman. He's a good-sized wing (6-foot-4, 217 pounds) who played in his country's second-division league and was a major contributor to Finland's U18 and U20 national teams. No. 58 | Niklas Kokko | Goalie Going to the Kraken at the 57th overall pick is goaltender Niklas Kokko, who posted a .925 save percentage for his KarpatU20 juniors and looked strong in four national team games in recent play. No. 61 | David Goyette | Center The Kraken tapped into Quebec at the 61st pick of this draft, selecting center David Goyette, drawing cheers here in his home province. Goyette played for the Sudbury Wolves in the Ontario Hockey League this past season, scoring 33 goals and 40 assists in 66 games. That finishes the second round for Seattle. No. 68 | Ty Nelson | Defense What's that credo, defense wins championships? The Kraken heeded the concept with the 68th overall pick in Friday's NHL Draft, selecting defenseman Ty Nelson early in the third round. Nelson is 5-foot-10, 196 with both a physical game and productive offensive numbers. He scored nine goals and added 42 assists for the North Bay Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League last season. No. 91 | Ben MacDonald | Center We've talked about the value of having as many Draft picks as the Kraken do because they can be used for more than just selecting a player at the designated time, they can serve as trade currency as well. And that's how Seattle used one of their 2022 fourth-round picks along with the 2022 fifth-round selection (117 and 132 overall respectively). The Kraken traded those two picks to Boston in exchange for pick number 91 which then quickly was used to select Weston, MA native, Ben MacDonald. No. 100 | Tyson Jugnauth | Defense At the 100th overall, Seattle added defenseman Tyson Jugnauth to the team and development camp roster. Jugnauth finished his second British Columbia Hockey League season as the BCHL's second-highest scoring defenseman with 50 points in 52 games He was named a First-Team All-Star and earned the Best Defenseman Award for the league. The Kelowna, BC, native committed to play for the NCAA University of Wisconsin Badgers next season. No. 123 | Tucker Robertson | Center With the 123rd overall pick, acquired in the Calle Jarnkrok trade with Calgary, Seattle selected center Tucker Robertson from the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League. Robertson, 5-foot-11 , 190-pound Toronto native, scored 40 goals and added 41 assists in 68 games last season. No. 164 | Barrett Hall | Center You can never have too many centers. They bring versatility to any forward group and provide crucial two-way play, and now there's one more in the Kraken development pipeline. With the 196th overall pick, Seattle selected Barrett Hall from Apple Valley, MN. The 18-year-old is coming off a 19-game campaign with the Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL) where he earned a 5-15-20 stat line. He is committed to play hockey at St. Cloud State University beginning next season. No. 196 | Kyle Jackson | Center Centerman Kyle Jackson scored 30 goals and added 32 assists in 45 regular-season games for North Bay Battalion in the Ontario Hockey League, then notched nine goals in 12 playoff games. His OHL teammate, defenseman Ty Nelson, was selected by Seattle earlier Friday with the team's third-round pick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OccamsRazor Posted July 18, 2022 Share Posted July 18, 2022 Wright and Beniers will give the Kraken a solid one two punch down the middle in about 3 years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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