When the Seattle Kraken selected WHL phenom Berkly Catton at No. 8 overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, his junior city of Spokane, Wash., erupted with excitement. Fans of their neighbors to the west, the Everett Silvertips, awoke the next morning to learn that their dependable centerman, Julius Miettinen, had also joined the Kraken organization.
As the 2025 NHL Draft approaches—set for June 27–28 in Los Angeles—another Pacific Northwest junior fanbase may get to see one of its local stars stay close to home. Prospects from the Everett Silvertips, Tri-City Americans, and Seattle Thunderbirds project to be selected within the first two rounds.
After some bad luck in the NHL Draft Lottery, the Kraken hold the eighth overall pick once again, but unlike last year—when they chose based on best available talent—organizational need could drive their decision more this time around. And that need appears to be on defense.
To date, all of Seattle’s first-round picks have been forwards. With a clear need on defense, that could finally change. Still, there are enticing offensive talents in the region, any of whom could bolster the Kraken’s long-term attack.
Intriguingly, two of the top defensive prospects expected to be available at No. 8 are junior players who play in the region already. Seattle has heavily favored CHL players in recent drafts, selecting 11 from the OHL and 10 from the WHL. In 2024 alone, they picked four WHL players, including two from the U.S. Division: Catton and Miettinen.
Team scouts were a consistent presence at Silvertips games—especially late in the season while Miettinen was injured—highlighting their close regional monitoring. Selecting regionally is a trend the Kraken have embraced before. So, will they do it again?
Here are some local players that could fit into the team’s long-term plans.
Defense – Jackson Smith – Tri-City Americans
A left-handed offensive threat, Jackson Smith (’07) could be a possible successor to Vince Dunn one day, depending on his development.
At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, he has the size and skill to be a dynamic two-way defender. That could bode well for Seattle, which needs to bolster the blue-line depth in its prospect pipeline.
With much of the organization’s current D-corps pushing or already past 30 years old, it will soon become time to shift focus to a younger group. Smith’s solid two-way play could make him a well-rounded presence capable of stepping in as the next wave arrives.
Smith finished the season with 11 goals and 43 assists in Tri-City, ranking fourth in team scoring.
Sound Of Hockey’s Mid-Season Big Board had Smith ranked eighth—right where the Kraken are set to select.
Left wing – Carter Bear – Everett Silvertips
It’s a shame we didn’t get to see a full draft year from Carter Bear (‘06), because he was electric in the games he did play. He suffered a lacerated Achilles tendon in March, which sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
Bear is a shifty, puck-hounding forward from Winnipeg, MB. His high compete level is what stands out. If he fully commits to the wing, he could be an excellent forechecker alongside the likes of Catton or Shane Wright, helping to set up scoring chances for years to come.
“I think I’ve improved a lot this season,” Bear told Sound Of Hockey after a game in January. “I’ve always been a hard worker on the forecheck and backcheck.”
Despite his shortened season, he continued to climb draft boards. He began the season rated a ‘B’ prospect by NHL Central Scouting, which later was upgraded to an ‘A’.
He’s also a player who knows where to be to contribute offensively. Bear had 82 points in 56 games, leading the Silvertips in scoring during the regular season and was named team MVP, despite the protracted season.
So, Bear could be a real option if the Kraken choose to go the forward route again. Even with the injury, he is still considered a prized top-20 talent, though selecting him at No. 8 could be seen as a reach. There’s growing curiosity about whether his recovery will allow him to participate in the World Junior Summer Showcase in July.
Bear ranked 13th on SOH’s Midseason Big Board.
Defense – Radim Mrtka – Seattle Thunderbirds
Seattle Thunderbirds defenseman Radim Mrtka (‘07) is a smooth-skating, big-bodied blueliner from Czechia. He’s also a consensus top-20 prospect in this year’s draft.
Standing 6-foot-6, Mrtka brings shades of John Klingberg, using his reach to compensate for the typical mobility issues that come with his height. Still, he’s agile for his size and skilled with the puck.
He posted 35 points in 43 games for a surging T-Birds team this season and could become a long-term presence on any NHL team’s blue line. He also feels like a natural successor one day to Jamie Oleksiak.
Mrtka ranked 15th on SOH’s Midseason Big Board.
Center – Braeden Cootes – Seattle Thunderbirds
While it’s unlikely the Kraken will select Cootes (‘07) at eighth overall, he remains a fascinating prospect who could still be available at No. 38 when Seattle makes its second-round pick.
The most noticeable part of Cootes’ game is his work ethic. He’s a classic ‘first guy into the zone’ forward who excels at applying pressure and creating chaos in the offensive end.
He also plays smart for his tenacity—just 18 penalty minutes in 60 games this season—and is known for some clutch moments in Seattle.
Cootes led the T-Birds with 26 goals and 37 assists, earning team MVP honors, and also served as their captain—the youngest captain in the entire WHL.
SOH’s midseason board ranked him at 24th, and he just had an outstanding U18 World Championship for Team Canada. So a lot of chips would have to fall the right way for the Kraken to end up selecting him.
So will they do it again?
Given their WHL-heavy draft history and the wealth of local talent in this year’s class, Seattle taking another local product is certainly in play. Whether it’s Jackson Smith or Radim Mrtka shoring up the blue line, or Carter Bear adding bite up front, Seattle has strong regional options that align with both need and philosophy.
With four U.S. Division prospects projected in the top 25, the Kraken could once again turn to familiar territory to shape their future—and fans across the Pacific Northwest will be watching closely.
Header by Brian Liesse, courtesy of the Seattle Thunderbirds
Mrtka please. No more centres. It’d be nice to finally draft a defenseman and I like his size.
17-18 year old kids are just forwards before they are developed in the NHL. You can call them “centers” or “wingers” if you want, but it doesn’t matter.
If Seattle didn’t draft a D-man in the last draft when there were multiple potentially future elite D-men available, it would be odd to use a top 10 draft pick in this draft, when there are only a couple even worth considering that would have easily been the worst available in the last draft. The scouting department of the Kraken should have already known this would be the case in the last draft. Logically, they should be drafting another forward with a #8 selection.
I’m not totally convinced that a D should be our top priority. We have that Big mobile prospect that is looking NHL ready in a few more years with Ville Ottavainen. Ty Nelson Although small is great offensively and could be NHL ready within a few years as well. Oleksiak Is our only defender of significance that is set to be departing soon.
Ic we are looking long term then Defence should be our priority but I don’t necessarily feel that is the Kraken priority, shorter term success would most likely be drafting a high compete level forward that could potentially be helping us in two to three years from now.
With regard to solid D in the pool already, I would add Ryker Evans (who looks just fine playing in the Men’s Worlds) and Tyson Jugnauth to your list. 89 pts in 56 regular season WHL games and 18 pts in 9 playoff games can’t be ignored. Seems like Jugnauth would be a candidate for future Dunn status.
It’s worth noting Jugnauth is already 21. His WHL numbers should be viewed with that in mind.
Agreed. Remains to be seen if he could make it in the NHL. It looks like he could play pro hockey somewhere if he wants to.
Also he basically flunked out of college (hockey-wise). He had to return to the WHL as an overage player to have any success. Huge grains of salt needed with his award.
My only contribution to this is: those Thunderbirds jerseys are so, so sweet.
At this level it seems like we should take the best available player, regardless of position.
“Sound of Hockey” We missed you for over a week. Welcome back!
As far as the draft. Going to have to trust the scouts that they pick what they figure is the best available talent on the board.
I like Mrtka and Jackson Smith, but per Nino, with Ottavainen, Ty Nelson, Jugnauth (and Caden Price) in the pipeline, maybe they target a forward. I’m curious who people think the Kraken would target. I figure Misa, Desnoyers & Hagen would be gone, so who should they target? Would love it if Porter Martone was available, but if not would they take a chance on Roger McQueen, or go with a safer pick in Victor Eklund?
Alternatively I wonder if they’d package their 1st round in a trade. After trade with Tampa Bay RF also made it clear he considered the 2 1st rounders as trade currency, but given they’re top-ten protected are they really any more valuable this year’s native first rounder?
The Athletic just did a mock draft and it had the Kraken drafting Martone. If that was possible, you would take that all day.
Rob Simpson had an article over at the Insider, where he said the Kraken have four #2 centers (Beniers, Wright, Stephenson, Catton) but no 1C. That is pretty much true of all their prospects, lots of players who might someday be second or third liners in the NHL but not a single one of them who is a top line F or top pairing D. This is Francis’ real legacy.
An article at Daily Faceoff suggested the Kraken should sell off all their top vets and just tank, because unless they get to the top of the draft to pick an elite prospect, they will never escape mediocrity. McKenna is up next year and seems elite. Will Botterill have the guts for it?
It’s possible he might have the guts for that but ownership wants to sell tickets, they wouldn’t allow it.
What if you tear down your team and never get a top 3 pick? Was it all worth it? That’s a very risky move. Even if you get #1, does that guarantee you a Cup run? The Leafs have built their core on skill, and their fans are pulling their hair out, because they feel it was a huge mistake not to keep players like Connor Brown, Zach Hyman and Nasem Kadri.
Four No.2 centers?!… do you have any idea how many teams are looking for ONE No.2 center?
Like Zach said… presumptuous. With the exception of Stephenson, I think it’s a bit early to say exactly what the Kraken have down the middle, but I think it’s obvious they understand how important it is to have depth at that position, regardless of who you have at the top.
You want to throw away the young pivots this organization has already brought in? Start tanking… and they’re sure to be washed by the time that 3rd overall you land makes it to the NHL on a perennial loser that nobody wants to play for.
Your comments are spot on – depressingly so.
I was thinking about the Kraken’s dilemma at center position recently. I took another look at the players available to the team in the Beniers (2021) and Wright (2022) drafts. In hindsight, the Beniers pick now looks like a major whiff – at center they could have taken Wyatt Johnson. Even Kent Johnson or Mason McTavish would have been better picks. Or they could have just gone the BPA route and chosen Luke Hughes or even Dylan Guenther; NHL Central Scouting had all those players listed above MB. In 2022 they went with Wright; Logan Cooley now clearly looks like the better choice. It also would have been nice if the Kraken had used any of their four 2nd round picks on Lane Hutson; to me Firkus and Goyette were “gadget picks” and are unlikely to ever make the Kraken roster. It’s downright depressing to acknowledge that none of the players currently in the pipeline are the type of top-end, foundational pieces needed to build a playoff-caliber team (Wyatt Johnson, Luke Hughes and Lane Hutson will be). It’s inevitable that there will be whiffs when drafting players, but currently every player drafted (1st or 2nd round) during the past four years currently looks like mid-to-fringe NHL players at best.
I agree with the Daily Faceoff article. Trading Jared McCann, Vince Dunn, Tolvanen, and even Brandon Montour would fetch a combination of multiple high draft picks and/or (preferably) top end prospects that can play in the NHL within the next year or two. Ownership can’t continue to let their pathological fear of the Sonics return dictate how this team is built. Nothing will discourage prospective coaching candidates more than a meddlesome, short-sighted ownership group. Rick Tocchet obliged Ron Francis with a courtesy interview, yet he signed with a desultory Philadelphia franchise. RF REALLY wanted to hire Todd McLellan, he went with the Red Wings. Only three head (of the original eight) head-coaching vacancies have yet to be filled. The Kraken’s HC search is not just to fill a vacancy; it’s a litmus test as to how the franchise is perceived by the rest of the league. If the search drags on, we’ll have our answer.
The Kraken need some blue-chippers on the back line. I’m all for taking a run at Smith or Mrtka, but please not at 8 when higher-ranked players are available. I’d love to see them trade down a couple of spots first to compile another asset. Example: Seattle trades #8 to Anaheim for #10 and #60. Then, they could use that additional asset to jump up in the second round. Example: Seattle packages #60 with #57 and sends to NYR for #43. I realize this is so much easier on paper than in real life, but I like the idea of getting some extra value and still getting your guy.
I seems too presumptuous to say Seattle doesn’t have any first line centers. Catton could totally be that down the road, and Shane Wright has been chronically miscast as some kind of bust because he didn’t go #1… he could totally still get there. What Seattle really needs is legit scoring threats among the top of the lineup. With that in mind, I THINK they would pick Eklund if he was still there. Martone absolutely if for some reason he slips. If the draft gets really whacky I could see them also drafting Frondel (to play wing.). I believe it is unlikely they reach for a D at 8 but if they do, don’t count out Hensler as an option. A more offensively exciting right hand D.
While talking prospects, did anyone else check out that beat down Canada received from Denmark at the IIHF worlds? (J/k, they barely won.). Oscar Fisker Molgaard was the Danish top line center I think?? Whatever it was, he looked really good.
Whenever Canada loses at the worlds (men or women) I find it wickedly entertaining to observe the country’s existential crisis that inevitably follows. I first noticed this (as a teenager) during the 1972 Summit Series. The Soviets initially went up 3-1 in the first four games; the Canadian fans in their arenas (and the entire country) were literally in a panic. At that point I surmised that in Canada hockey isn’t the most important thing; it’s the ONLY thing.
During the U20s (held in Canada this year) the US played the Canadian team. One of the Canadian players engaged in a direct knee on knee hit on a US player. The game referees (not from US or Canada) reviewed the tape and correctly assessed a penalty. The American player limped to the bench, but during the replay tested his knee and was able to continue. The Canadian announcers were APOPLECTIC and accused the American player (based on their “non-biased” observation lol) of taking a dive – the referees obviously disagreed. Apparently (in Canada) it’s only a legitimate penalty if the offended player suffers a career threatening injury.
It’d be painful to observe how fragile their national psyche is – if it weren’t so amusing. 😊
Was that the series where Red Army trounced the Totems and then had the temerity to say that Seattle was a friendly and welcoming town? The nerve! Can you imagine an opposing team coming into our town and not giving us credit for being the howling, raging psychopaths that we are? Maybe we over-reacted, too, just a bit.
Shane had 43 pts playing under 12 minutes a game. That’s not too shabby. Like Stephenson, he’s smart enough to be playing in every situation (5v5, PP, PK). I’m excited about his future. I won’t be surprised if Catton ends up on a wing.
I’m hoping Eklund is still available at 8, and Seattle draft him. He’s the kind of player you should take with a top 10 pick.
Ah you make a good point regarding Wright’s average minutes. I see his upside as a legit 2C on a playoff caliber team. Best case would be a Patrice Bergeron type of player. FWIW I think Beniers is really a third-line center on a playoff team.