After an eventful draft for the Seattle Kraken, the team’s prospect development camp gets underway at the Kraken Community Iceplex in Seattle on Monday. With qualifying offers due just a couple hours after that, and NHL free agency scheduled to open Wednesday, July 13, at 9:00 am Pacific, it is an exciting time in a crucial offseason for the second-year expansion franchise.
But before looking forward, we wanted to quickly recap Seattle’s 2022 NHL Draft, with information from public scouting reports and the Sound Of Hockey Big Board. Seattle drafted an astounding five players within the top-50 on the Big Board. No other team drafted more than four.
Player development is a long road, so it is a bit foolhardy to reach any conclusions in the days after the draft. But the Kraken’s performance against the Big Board is notable given the strong performance of the Big Board as a predictive tool overall. The Big Board accurately “predicted” 28 of 32 first-rounders, and the player listed No. 32, Owen Beck, was selected with the first pick of the second round (No. 33). The other three players that “fell” out of the Big Board’s top 32 were No. 26 Jagger Firkus (more on him in a minute), No. 29 Ryan Chesley (drafted No. 37 by the Capitals), and No. 30 Calle Odelius (drafted No. 65 by the New York Islanders).
I wrote profiles on four of their draft picks pre-draft. I would have written profiles on Seattle’s top two picks (Shane Wright and Firkus) as well if I thought there was any chance at all that those players would be available for the Kraken to select with their top two picks.
Where can I find public scouting reports on these players?
Pre-draft prospect write-ups are available at the links below:
Corey Pronman of The Athletic (link) ($$): 127 ranked prospects
Scott Wheeler of The Athletic (link) ($$): 100 ranked prospects
Chris Peters of Daily Faceoff (link): 100 ranked prospects
Sam Cosentino of Sportsnet (link): 32 ranked prospects
Elite Prospects (link) (top 32 free; full list $$): 121 ranked prospects
McKeen’s (link) (top 32 free; full list $$): 224 ranked prospects
Tony Ferrari of Hockey News (link): 100 ranked prospects
Adam Herman of Bleacher Report (link): 32 ranked prospects
Age: 18 | Height: 6’0.5″ | Weight: 199 lbs | Right shot | 32 goals, 62 assists, 63 games played
What does the Big Board say?
The Sound Of Hockey Big Board loves Shane Wright at the fourth pick. Wright was No. 1 on the board, and it was not particularly close. He was No. 1 on 15 of 19 public boards that we tracked. And, he was No. 2 on the other four. He was also No. 1 in my analytics ranking. According to Elite Prospects, the Kraken have now walked away with the No. 1 overall prospect in back-to-back drafts.
What do the scouts say?
“With high-end hockey sense highlighted by his tremendous offensive intelligence, Shane Wright can make a lot of plays. While he lacks dynamic puck skills in terms of handling, he has one of the better shots in this draft class with a quick, deceptive release… He does a lot of the things you hope a center does in terms of puck possession, making plays and contributing in his own end.” – Chris Peters
Instant reaction
I tried to capture it on draft day. The potential Wright brings to this organization to contribute as a top-six forward during his entry-level contract—in tandem with Matty Beniers—could change everything. After day two of the draft, Ron Francis admitted that the potential to have Wright in the lineup this year or next impacts how the Kraken will approach free agency. As we look toward Wright’s prime, his statistical profile points us to Mathew Barzal or (perhaps a poor man’s) Steven Stamkos as career comparables.
On draft night, the media narrative about Shane Wright was one of disappointment. But just moments after being drafted, Wright sat down with Mike Morreale and Adam Kimelman of NHL.com and gave this mature and professional interview. This is remarkable stuff that speaks highly of his character. I’m looking forward to the Seattle community embracing this player.
Jagger Firkus ranked No. 26 on the Sound Of Hockey Big Board. He was the highest-ranked player available when the Kraken selected. Firkus’s highest ranking came from Chris Peters. Firkus was No. 21 in my analytics ranking. Getting Firkus at No. 35 was one of the best value picks in the top-50, even if the selection pales in comparison to the Wright selection.
What do the scouts say?
“He’ll likely never be a ‘big’ player, but with his game built on shifty, elusive routes, nifty pucks skills, strong vision and a wicked release, he won’t need to be. He will need to prove capable of handling the rigors of pro hockey where time and space are limited and dekes are less likely to work. If he can do that, then there is a top-six forward group waiting for him to add dynamic elements.” – Cam Robinson, EP Rinkside
Instant reaction
Before the draft I mentioned Firkus as a player I liked based on his analytics, but I did not write a profile on him because I did not think there was a real chance he would be there at No. 35. Of the 19 public boards we tabulated, not a single one ranked him below No. 34.
Firkus is a pure scoring wing. He has an elite shot, ranked in the top three in the draft by six of seven scouts on the Elite Prospects staff. Beyond that, Firkus knows how to score in a variety of creative ways at the junior level, by moving and positioning himself without the puck. Most tellingly, he frequently gets to the tough area of the ice directly in front of the goal despite weighing only 151 pounds.
Now, it is almost certainly true that Firkus will not be able to find success at the NHL level with such a slight frame, but if he can add 20 pounds, there is nothing to suggest that he will not continue to be able to find success despite being the “smallest guy” on the ice. Given the physical maturity that needs to come, scouts suggest Firkus is likely a couple years away from being able to contribute at the NHL level.
Recommended reading
Hey Kraken fans, get excited for Jagger Firkus.
An old school gunslinger with super slick mitts, and shifty exciting speed.
No. 49: Jani Nyman, LW, Ilves (Liiga)/ KOOVEE (Mestis)
Age: 17 | Height: 6’3.5″ | Weight: 217 lbs | Left shot | 18 goals, 17 assists, 34 games played for KOOVEE
What does the Big Board say?
Nyman was ranked No. 50 on the Sound Of Hockey Big Board. He was one of the more highly ranked players on my analytics chart when he was picked, checking in at No. 37 overall.
What do the scouts say?
“[Nyman’s] greatest asset is his shot. Give him time to load the puck for a wrister, snapshot, or one-timer, and chances are it’ll be in the back of the net. He just loves letting it rip and the velocity is incredibly impressive. He can also display some very nifty mitts and moves when he is in possession of the puck, looking like quite the skater with the puck too. Without it, he can be lumbering and disinterested. It’s almost as if he’s conserving energy for offensive opportunities only.” – McKeen’s
Instant reaction
I wrote about Nyman pre-draft as a player of interest. Nyman brings power forward size and the ability to use it to create scoring opportunities for himself. Nyman’s other standout skill is his shot, which grades solidly above average for most scouts. On the other hand, scouts report that Nyman needs to improve his off-puck skating game and learn to use his size to impact the game in other ways. Elite Prospects says: “The catch, of course, and this is common with players his size at his age, is that Nyman’s skating isn’t even close to an NHL average projection.” Between the size and scoring touch, Nyman’s upside is significant as a top-nine forward; but it also sounds like there is a fair chance he doesn’t get more than a cup of coffee in the NHL if the skating does not improve.
Recommended reading
2022 NHL DRAFT: FINLAND – Jani Nyman, LW, Koovee by @DraftLook
"The combination of a plus shot, a large frame, and decent instincts tends to be enough to form a solid middle-six scorer and role player, which would be good value for a second-round pick"https://t.co/wP6bN2DE3bpic.twitter.com/XokQ4FH0YF
Kokko was ranked No. 293 on the Sound Of Hockey Big Board, only ranked by one public source, Future Considerations, at No. 182 overall.
What do the scouts say?
“[Kokko’s] game relies on consistency and standing primed for recovery, keeping as much of the top half of his net covered as possible even when he’s maintaining his edges and staying on his feet. There’s still a bit of a game-read lag . . . [and] it’s not likely that his hands will ever be the strongest part of his game.” – Elite Prospects
Instant reaction
Before the draft, I wrote that the Kraken could look to feed their pipeline of goaltenders, and pinpointed the three picks between No. 58 and No. 68 as a prime area where a selection could be made. According to scouts, Niklas Kokko is a Finnish goaltender well trained in the classic Finnish disciplined and reactive style but with significant work left to be done. Drafting goaltenders is difficult because the development path is typically quite long; but when “throwing a dart” at a goaltender, it is never a bad idea to aim for a player coached by Ari Hilli at Kärpät in the Finnish junior league (more on him below). You can see why the Kraken may have been willing to “go off the board” on this one. Kokko is signed in Finland through 2024-25. If all goes well with his development, he could come to North America after that.
Recommended reading
In a previous stop at The Athletic, Ryan Clark wrote a story discussing Kokko’s goaltending coach, Ari Hilli. Hilli is famous for his work with goalies at Kärpät, including several who have found success in North America, such as Niklas Backstrom, Tim Thomas, and Pekka Rinne.
No. 61: David Goyette, C/W, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
Age: 18 | Height: 5’10.25″ | Weight: 175 lbs | Left shot | 33 goals, 40 assists, 66 games played
What does the Big Board say?
Goyette was No. 39 on the Sound Of Hockey Big Board, with a high rank of No. 20 by Scott Wheeler of The Athletic. Goyette was also No. 33 in my analytics ranking.
What do the scouts say?
“Slow first half but had a strong [second] half of the season after barely playing last season. A very talented player with great skating skills and puck skills. I can’t help but think of Jonathan Drouin when I scouted him, a very similar style of play.” – Jérôme Bérubé, HockeyProspect.com
Instant reaction
Like Nyman, I profiled Goyette before the draft. Goyette led a very poor OHL team in scoring and rose in the eyes of most scouts over the course of his one season in the OHL. The only question was how high had he risen by the time of the draft. Goyette drives offense with his vision and passing as much as his shot. Some scouts note a game inclined toward the perimeter, so he might be a puck-handling winger long term (more like Jaden Schwartz or Jordan Eberle). Scouts also emphasize that his defense needs to come along, but there is nothing in his profile that should hold him back from being a better defender.
David Goyette’s my favourite prospect in this draft. Fast, skilled, tenacious. He’s going to light up the OHL next year and make the pick look darn good. https://t.co/Uis088tUJJ
Age: 18 | Height: 5’10” | Weight: 196 lbs | Right shot | 9 goals, 42 assists, 66 games played
What does the Big Board say?
Nelson checked in at No. 46 on the Sound Of Hockey Big Board, with a high rank of No. 31 by DraftPros. McKeen’s had Nelson at No. 46. Nelson was No. 27 in my analytics ranking.
What do the scouts say?
“Early on, [Nelson] looked like one of, if not the best, offensive defender available this year. However, as the season progressed, some holes in his game became more obvious, and as OHL teams adjusted to him (and game planned for him), his overall impact decreased… These inconsistencies made Nelson a bit of a difficult player to assess and project this year. At times, he was aggressive in leading the attack, standing out as a puck mover. He has a booming point shot and this can be a major weapon for him as he quarterbacks the power play and works inside the blue line.” – McKeen’s
Instant reaction
Given his strong analytics, I wrote about Ty Nelson pre-draft too. Nelson is not tall, but he is physically mature, and scouts suggest he can play strong positionally and along the boards in the defensive zone. Outside his own end, scouts say he has above average movement skills, but needs to learn how to best harness them. He has the vision and shot to be a contributor on the power play. Reportedly, Nelson is also a charismatic team leader (more on that below). There are a lot of elements here, but it still needs to all “come together” for him.
Recommended viewing
No. 91: Ben MacDonald, C, Noble & Greenough School (HS MA)
Age: 18 | Height: 5’11.75” | Weight: 180 lbs | Left shot | 14 goals, 15 assists, 22 games played
What does the Big Board say?
MacDonald checked in at No. 136 on the Sound Of Hockey Big Board. MacDonald’s highest ranking came from Corey Pronman, who ranked the Massachusetts high schooler as his 76th prospect. MacDonald did not factor into my analytics rankings.
What do the scouts say?
“[MacDonald’s] not a burner but can create through the neutral zone with speed. He also shows the ability to slow the game down and create off the perimeter with his vision.” – Corey Pronman of The Athletic
Instant reaction
MacDonald is a potentially underexposed New England high school prospect, but the development runway is significant here. He will play next season with the West Kelowna Warriors in the BCHL. After that he’ll join the Harvard Crimson. MacDonald has good bloodlines though; his father Lane MacDonald won the Hobey Baker with Harvard. The Kraken clearly saw something to bet on here, as they packaged two draft picks to move up to draft him. (Per the trade value chart, the Kraken “won” the trade, by the way.)
Recommended reading
The Hockey Writers have collected a lot of the information that there is out there on MacDonald. Check it out here.
No. 100: Tyson Jugnauth, LD, West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL)
Age: 18 | Height: 6’0” | Weight: 161 lbs | Left shot | 9 goals, 41 assists, 52 games played
What does the Big Board say?
Jugnauth ranked No. 114 on the Big Board and No. 83 in my analytics rankings
What do the scouts say?
“Jugnauth is a slick skating, Wisconsin recruit who is a very effective puck mover. He uses linear crossovers well when leading transitional attacks, allowing him to disguise his intentions as he cuts through the neutral zone. When you combine that with his quick hands, it makes Jugnauth very effective at gaining the offensive zone.” – McKeen’s
Instant reaction
Jugnauth is the last of the Kraken’s draft picks that I wrote about pre-draft. His analytics portend an interesting offensive defenseman, and scouts credit his vision and transition play, in particular. But Jugnauth will need to add size and a physical edge to his game in order to hold up in his own zone. Jugnauth will play for the University of Wisconsin next year.
Age: 19 | Height: 5’10” | Weight: 190 lbs | Left shot | 41 goals, 40 assists, 68 games played
What does the Big Board say?
An over-age, re-entry candidate (after losing last year in the OHL), the Big Board has Robertson ranked at No. 128.
What do the scouts say?
“[Robertson is] an all-around player who brings great energy on each shift. He’s not afraid to go to dirty areas for redirections and rebounds. He has great hands along the boards and in tight and is able to control and protect the puck well in traffic.” – McKeens
No. 164: Barrett Hall, F, Gentry Academy (HS MN)
Age: 19 | Height: 6’0″ | Weight: 170 lbs | Left shot | 25 goals, 30 assists, 25 games played
What does the Big Board say?
Hall was not ranked on the Big Board.
What do the scouts say?
“Looking for a sleeper prospect? Look no further than Barrett Hall… Puck skills define Hall’s game. He’s a dexterous handler, moving his top hand across his body while he handles, reaching out to bait the poke check, then quickly retracting the puck to evade. Tricky passes are no issue for him, as he kicks pucks skate-to-stick and deflects them through his legs without entering a glide.” – Elite Prospects
No. 196: Kyle Jackson, LW/C, North Bay Battalion (OHL)
Age: 19 | Height: 6’2″ | Weight: 190 lbs | Left shot | 25 goals, 30 assists, 25 games played
What does the Big Board say?
Another over-age prospect who could join the AHL as soon as this year, Jackson was ranked No. 182 on the Big Board.
What do the scouts say?
Jackson is a “highly intelligent two-way center who was one of the most improved players in the OHL this year. Elevated his play even further in the OHL playoffs helping North Bay reach the East finals.” – McKeen’s
3 Comments
Tim Wilson
on July 11, 2022 at 5:38 pm
Solid article. Best insight I’ve seen yet on the Kraken draft picks.
Curtis Isacke consistently serves up hungry Kraken fans with the meatiest of articles. He provides detailed analysis and original research you won’t find elsewhere and he includes links to his sources so the most avid fan can get his/her fill. Bravo Curtis!
I followed the kid Jackson through out the entire year at North Bay.
Possibly the sneakiest pick of the draft – Covid stripped him of his true draft year – has incredible upside and top 6 forward is within this grasp. Very smart player and responsible defensively – like most aspiring pros will focus on fitness and learn the pro game but I think you got a hell of a player and up to this point through out his career has played above expectations.
Solid article. Best insight I’ve seen yet on the Kraken draft picks.
Curtis Isacke consistently serves up hungry Kraken fans with the meatiest of articles. He provides detailed analysis and original research you won’t find elsewhere and he includes links to his sources so the most avid fan can get his/her fill. Bravo Curtis!
I followed the kid Jackson through out the entire year at North Bay.
Possibly the sneakiest pick of the draft – Covid stripped him of his true draft year – has incredible upside and top 6 forward is within this grasp. Very smart player and responsible defensively – like most aspiring pros will focus on fitness and learn the pro game but I think you got a hell of a player and up to this point through out his career has played above expectations.