As of Friday, Sept. 11, the Seattle Kraken will officially be back on the ice preparing for the 2025-26 season. On-ice activities begin with a Rookie Camp for players not yet established at the NHL level. This year’s group includes all Kraken prospects except for a couple AHL veterans and those scheduled to play college hockey or overseas.
With activity about to ramp up, there’s no better time to submit our second-annualSound Of Hockey Seattle Kraken prospect ranking. Without discussing in advance, John Barr and I provided our own personal preseason prospect rankings, and then we combined them to create the definitive Sound Of Hockey ranking. At the end of this post, we’ll debate how our rankings turned out, as well as a couple of bigger-picture topics.
Sound Of Hockey Seattle Kraken prospect ranking
Our ranking is an average of subjective assessments from John Barr and me. Ties are broken by ranking the player with the higher “high” rank first. We proceeded accordingly through the top 25 and ties. Then, we also ranked any player that received a top-25 vote from either of us. This process resulted in a ranked list of 29 top prospects. We added the next-highest-ranked player (Jakub Fibigr) because “top 30” sounds better than “top 29.”
Here is a breakout of each writer’s lists:
Professional analyst Kraken prospect rankings
Interested in more rankings? Several professional scouting services and analysts have put out Seattle Kraken prospect pool rankings this summer following the 2026 NHL Draft:
McKeen’s and Wheeler have the Kraken as their seventh-best prospect pool overall. Ellis has the Kraken with his No. 13 overall pool—down from No. 7 last year. Pronman evaluates each team’s total pool of players aged 22 or younger, whether or not the players are “prospects.” He has the Kraken as possessing the sixth-best collection of such players.
Kraken prospect roundtable discussion
Share a little insight on your methodology for the rankings:
John: My methodology isn’t particularly formulaic. Generally, I tried to rank players based on the impact I think they’ll ultimately have at the NHL level. For example, I think Nikke Kokko (No. 16 on the list) is likely to become a regular NHL player, but I don’t think his upside is as high as someone like Casey Mutryn (No. 8). Similarly, Jacob Melanson (No. 13) has a realistic path to spending an entire season on the Kraken roster in 2026-27, but I don’t see him having the kind of impact Jagger Firkus (No. 5) could have if he reaches his ceiling.
Curtis: In terms of list eligibility, I used the same thresholds I used when creating the data-only prospect ranking. For skaters: 23 years old or younger as of Sept. 1, 2026, and fewer than 50 NHL games. For goalies: 24 years old or younger as of the same date, and fewer than 30 NHL games.
This approach resulted in one exclusion from my list of a player who figured onto John’s: Ville Ottavainen. Ottavainen just missed my list criteria (he turned 24 in August), and I do still believe there is a possible future with him as a No. 6 or fringe NHL defenseman for years. John was right to rank him, and Ottavainen probably should have figured more prominently on our combined list as a result.
When ordering the prospects, I tried to formulate tiers based on projected NHL contributions if the player hits a realistic NHL upside—an outcome I currently believe could happen even while recognizing most players won’t hit these ceilings. When two players are next to each other on the list, I tend to ask myself: If I could only have one in the system, which one would I choose?
If Berkly Catton were still eligible for your list, where would he rank? How about Shane Wright?
John: I’d probably have Catton second behind Chase Reid. His development last season was really encouraging, and there were plenty of moments where he showed the kind of high-end skill that can make a difference at the NHL level.
Wright is a difficult one, but I’d likely put him between Catton and Jake O’Brien. We already know Wright can play and produce in the NHL when he’s at his best. O’Brien may ultimately end up higher, but there’s still some uncertainty because we haven’t seen him make the jump to the NHL yet.
Curtis: I’m pretty much of the same mind. Catton may be a bit undervalued because he was challenged with a full-time NHL role as a 19-year-old. I’d slot him above O’Brien still. Reid stays at No. 1 over Catton only because I’m very high on the young blueliner’s combination of tools. I’d likely put Wright after Catton for the same reasons you mentioned but would consider moving him below O’Brien just because the younger forward may bring more pure offensive skill.
Where would Berkly Catton rank if he were still considered a prospect?
Which prospect has the most to prove this coming season?
John: I think this is a huge season for Jani Nyman. During his NHL stint last season, he struggled to keep pace and looked a bit overmatched. To his credit, he rediscovered his game in the AHL, but now he needs to show he can bring that success to the NHL level. Hopefully, the experience he gained during those NHL games helped him identify exactly where he needs to improve to become an everyday NHL player.
Curtis: I think you’re right about Nyman, John. Jagger Firkus is another “older” prospect whose time has come to either (a) truly dominate and drive offense at the AHL level (think 80+ points) or (b) prove he can hang at the NHL level when given the opportunity. A season where Firkus or Nyman treads water in the AHL would really put a dent in their profiles.
Which ranking on the other person’s list was the biggest surprise?
John: There weren’t many rankings that caught me off guard, but I did like your higher placement of Luken “Hawke” Huff. He’s an overage fifth-round pick who took a pretty unconventional road to get here, yet he keeps finding ways to succeed. After talking with him at development camp, what stood out most was how excited he is to be playing hockey. It may sound simple, but that kind of passion matters. He comes across as someone who loves the game, embraces the work, and is still motivated to get better every day.
Curtis: I love your confidence and aggressiveness on Tyson Jugnauth. As you and our readers know, I’ve long been a fan of the skill he can bring to the blue line, and, unlike some, I’m not afraid of smaller defensemen. Even so, I was surprised to see him at No. 3 on your list. Based on pure skill level, you could be right.
Did any player from prior drafts really pop last season and jump up your rankings?
Curtis: I wrote about it last week in Friday Film Room, but I just really liked watching Ty Nelson play hockey at the AHL level over the back half of the 2025-26 season. He doesn’t have the height or dynamic traits, but he does have a mind for the game, relentless work habits, and bulldog physicality. He took every role the coaching staff threw at him and rarely looked out of place. He rose from No. 17 on my list last year to No. 11 on my list this year. I’m confident there’s an (admittedly unconventional) NHL future there.
John: We’ve been tracking Jugnauth’s progression for a while, but it’s still pretty wild to have a fourth-round pick from 2022 sitting third in the Kraken prospect rankings. Yet here we are. In the viewings I had last season, he looked incredibly comfortable and confident with the puck. I’ve even caught a few of his informal skates at Kraken Community Iceplex over the past week, and even surrounded by NHL players, he stood out.
The other player who made a significant jump in my rankings was Loke Krantz. He’s only No. 22 on my list, but his development trajectory has already exceeded what you’d normally expect from a seventh-round pick.
Loke Krantz has surpassed expectations since being selected in the seventh round of 2025 NHL Draft.
Which Kraken prospect is most overlooked by the general prospect community?
Curtis: I’ll mention Viktor Fyodorov as a player I really enjoyed watching over the summer. That said, as a top-100 pick in the most recent draft, I’m not sure he’s a perfect fit for the “overlooked” category.
Two players with Coachella Valley may fit the bill a bit better. I thought Kaden Hammell (No. 24 on my list) had a solid rookie AHL season. The 2023 fifth-round defenseman came into the season layered behind many higher-drafted blueliners, including Nelson and Ottavainen, as well as fellow rookies Caden Price and Lukas Dragicevic. Yet, his defensive-zone physicality and transition skating game have translated as well or better than Price or Dragicevic so far.
I’ll also mention J.R. Avon (ineligible for my list) as a player who brings skating, forechecking, and enough skill in his hands to see NHL games at some point in the near future. He’s a dark horse.
John: There are certainly some prospect rankings out there that I disagree with, but I don’t know if there’s one specific player I’d call overlooked. Jakub Fibigr is someone who has shown meaningful progression every season since being drafted, but he still has a long way to go before I’d consider him underrated by the broader prospect community.
That said, I’ll use this opportunity to highlight Will Reynolds, the Kraken’s third-round defenseman from the 2025 draft class. Reynolds is young for his draft year and took an encouraging step forward in his development last season. I don’t put too much stock into prospect camp performances, but he stood out to me during development camp in July. There’s a lot of upside there that I think many of us may be underestimating.
Any area that was particularly challenging when making your rankings this year?
John: As I mentioned last year, the entire process is a challenge. There is always a handful of long-shot prospects who could end up surprising everyone, but they still need to be ranked somewhere. Unfortunately, that means someone has to land in the bottom 10.
I also struggled with where to place Barrett Hall and Ben McDonald. Outside of the July development camps, I simply haven’t had enough opportunities to watch either player, so I was forced to lean more heavily on their NCAA production and scouting reports than I’d prefer when forming my opinions.
Curtis: Ranking the goalies is a challenge for me. I don’t have access to Semyon Vyazovoi’s KHL games, and, even when I can see players on the ice, I’ll admit that I’m less confident in “evaluating” them when compared with skaters. Accordingly, I tend to fall back on numbers a bit more.
Vyazovoi and Kim Saarinen posted sterling results in their leagues—particularly when adjusting for their ages. For his part, Kokko played in the most challenging league last season (the AHL), as one of the youngest goalies in that league, and likely with the least defensive help of Seattle’s “big three” goalie prospects. Kokko’s raw results weren’t “good,” but he may have done a hair better than I had expected when adjusting for the difficulty of the context.
Even so, none of the big three figure prominently on league-wide lists of goaltending prospects. All of this leaves me scratching my head. If pressed into a take, I’d say this: I think they’re all good and underrated.
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Have any thoughts on Kraken prospects or any of the roundtable topics above? What did we get wrong? Let us have it in the comments below or X/Twitter or Blue Sky.
With Kraken rookie camp starting next week, we’re nearing the end of our summer Seattle Kraken prospects series here at Sound Of Hockey. “Down on the Farm” posts with actual game updates are on the horizon. (Kim Saarinen already made his first Liiga start.)
Today, we’ll get you gameplay video, data, and analysis of forward William Tomko, a 2026 seventh-rounder heading to college this coming season, and Ty Nelson, the 2022 third-round pick and No. 1 defenseman for the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
If you like these breakdowns, continue to check in. We should have at least one more of these posts next week, analyzing a 2026 Kraken draft pick (there’s only one left we haven’t covered) and another organization prospect.
Any suggestions or questions for future posts? Please let us know below or on social media at @deepseahockey or @sound_hockey.
Will Tomko | Forward | Ohio State Univ. (NCAA)
Right shot | 19 years old | 6-foot | 190 lbs | 2026 Seattle Kraken seventh-round pick (unsigned)
Summary
William Tomko is a high-motor, two-way forward who combines strong skating mechanics, physical strength and compete, and flashes of creative playmaking. He excels in transition, using linear speed and some deceptive puck movements to attack space and create chances. He has a powerful, boxy frame that he uses well on straight-line attacks; he is difficult to take off his path or the puck. He’s a competitive forechecker, committed defensively, and does not shy away from the physical game. There is an impressive set of skills here, but it is fair to wonder if his offensive traits have enough juice to translate at higher levels, where he will find bigger and more competitive opponents.
Game video
Tomko is the right-shot forward wearing No. 28 in white.
Strengths
Elite compete level and motor; consistently impacts games through effort, pace, and determination.
Strong skating foundation with powerful strides, good lower-body mechanics, and acceleration; better on linear attacks but also shows some lateral agility.
Showed significant transition skill; uses delays, weight shifts, crossovers, and deception to beat defenders.
Creative playmaker with flashes of high-quality vision, especially on seam passes, cross-slot feeds, and rush chances.
Strong puck protection skills; defends the puck from checks and navigates traffic effectively.
Physical and aggressive style; wins battles, delivers impactful hits, and disrupts opponents.
Reliable defensive habits; effective backchecker, forechecker, penalty killer, and trusted in defensive situations.
Good off-puck awareness; scans well, creates pressure, and understands positioning.
Versatile profile with potential to fill multiple roles, including checking, penalty kill, and secondary scoring duties.
Weaknesses
Lacks a true elite offensive tool that separates him from other bubble professional prospects.
Shot has been effective but has average overall traits projecting to the next level; in junior, he did not consistently threaten as a goal scorer.
Offensive production and playmaking were intermittent; his creative flashes were not always sustained shift to shift and game to game.
Passing can become predictable or overly simple at times, particularly under pressure.
Hockey sense is strong, but decision-making was inconsistent at times in the games I reviewed.
Needs to leverage his skills and attack the middle of the ice more consistently.
While he showed a physical profile overall, he needs to continue to develop his ability to maintain inside positioning and sustain effectiveness through contact.
Lack of above-average stature (6-foot), skating speed, and offensive hockey sense may limit his ability to produce against bigger, faster professional competition and raises questions about his ceiling.
Notes
Tomko was an older draft re-entry—almost two years older than the youngest eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. His production and physical play are impressive, but they need to be taken in the context of his age advantage over other skilled players in the USHL. This coming season, he will move up to the NCAA ranks, playing at Ohio State University alongside fellow Kraken prospect Jakub Fibigr. This college hockey move will afford him a relatively long development runway and playing time despite his overage status. I like the tools and profile more than your typical seventh-round pick and can easily imagine at least an AHL professional future for the player.
Ty Nelson | Defenseman | Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL)
Right shot | 22 years old | 5-foot-10 | 198 lbs | 2022 Seattle Kraken third-round pick (signed)
Summary
Ty Nelson is an aggressive, high-motor defenseman who impacts the game with his physicality, relentless engagement, and sound hockey instincts. He is efficient on retrievals and thrives when transitioning from defense to offense, using quick decisions and strong instincts to activate into the rush and create chances. Nelson lacks height (5-foot-10) and length but is very bulky and physically well-developed, making it difficult to play through him. His skating is solid, but his agility is somewhat limited by his box-like frame.
Offensively, he lacks superlative tools but has a heavy shot and generates chances with anticipation, confidence, and an attacking mindset. Defensively, adequate movement skills, a low center of gravity, and competitiveness allow him to defend aggressively against attackers. Though he has reined it in a bit, he still has a risk-taking style that creates upside but also leads to occasional coverage lapses and execution issues.
Game video
Nelson is the right-shot defenseman wearing No. 24 in white.
Strengths
Elite compete level and nonstop motor; he is consistently involved in the play, looking to shut down attacks or create offensive advantages.
Does well in turnover scenarios with strong offensive instincts and immediate activation.
Often shows at least average linear skating, four-way mobility, and quick feet.
Aggressive gap control, strong rush defense habits, and solid production, particularly given his length disadvantage.
Physical defender who embraces contact despite being undersized.
Low center of gravity and stocky build help him win battles below the dots.
Proactive stick work, including poke checks, stick lifts, and lane disruption.
Willingness to block shots and sacrifice his body defensively.
Confident puck mover with creativity and ambition in transition, even if he has found it a bit more difficult to produce end-to-end plays as a professional.
Capable of generating offense through decision-making rather than elite skill.
Strong anticipation when joining rushes and finding offensive opportunities.
Trusted and at least adequate in all manpower, zone-start, and game-clock situations.
Glue player and team leader with an infectious, positive personality on the one hand, and a bulldog play style on the other.
Weaknesses
Though his defensive instincts and off-puck play have continued to develop, he can still become too puck-focused, leading to missed off-puck defensive threats.
Aggressive style can create defensive chaos and coverage breakdowns.
Limited size (5-foot-10) and reach create challenges against larger attackers along the wall.
Limited range impacts his ability to defend wide attacks and passing lanes; there are also times he has looked limited in his agility skating to reach taller, faster professional players when attacked. This will be essential to his NHL development.
Lacks elite offensive tools typically associated with offensive defensemen.
Can struggle sealing the wall or containing stronger puck carriers.
Decision-making with the puck can become overambitious, resulting in turnovers.
Offensive activations can be inconsistent and sometimes lack control.
Some north-south puck movement relies on uncontrolled clears or flip-outs.
Despite power-play time, his offensive production has not translated from junior hockey to the AHL, and it is unlikely to be an above-average asset for him in the future.
Notes
Ty Nelson is a unique player given his stature, but he developed his pro-style game and brought his NHL projection into focus last season. He has a high floor defensively built on engagement, physicality, and solid instincts. He can also help the team get into its game offensively with solid retrieval, breakout, and transition work, even if he doesn’t project to impact the game offensively in the NHL like he did as a junior player. He clearly earned the trust of the coaching staff. Throughout the season and into the playoffs, he took late-and-close defensive-zone assignments as a No. 1 defenseman for the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
I’ve become a believer that Nelson has an NHL future. He may not have the tools to provide an “impact” in any singular area or stack up points, but he projects as a potential bottom-pair NHL defenseman with a unique, disruptive style that brings added value to a team off the ice.
Curtis is a Sound Of Hockey contributor and member of the Kraken press corps. Curtis is an attorney by day, and he has read the NHL collective bargaining agreement and bylaws so you don’t have to. He can be found analyzing the Kraken, NHL Draft, and other hockey topics on Twitter and Bluesky @deepseahockey.
With Kraken Rookie Camp right around the corner—starting on Friday, Sept. 11—we’re nearing the end of our summer Seattle Kraken prospects series here at Sound Of Hockey. “Down on the Farm” posts with actual game updates are on the horizon.
Today, we’ll get you gameplay video, data, and analysis of two AHL defensemen: Caden Price, a 2023 third-round pick, and Lukas Dragicevic, a 2023 second-rounder.
If you like these breakdowns, stop by for the next few Fridays because we’ll continue to have two per week. Typically, we have one 2026 Kraken draft pick and one other organization prospect, and we’ll return to that format next week.
Any suggestions or questions for future posts? Please let us know below or on social media at @deepseahockey or @sound_hockey.
Caden Price | Defenseman | Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL)
Left shot | 21 years old | 6-foot-1 | 190 lbs | 2023 Seattle Kraken third-round pick (signed)
Summary
Price is an athletic, sturdy, and intelligent blueliner with steady two-way skills. The current version of his game is built around sound defensive positioning, retrievals, and transition play. He shows the ability to scan the ice, escape pressure, and move pucks efficiently. His skating is smooth, if not explosive. His lateral mobility and hockey sense allow him to create advantages. Defensively, he has an active stick and has steadily improved his physical play. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, his offensive game has more or less disappeared in the professional ranks. This casts doubt on his NHL upside.
Game video
Price is the left-shot defenseman wearing No. 4 in white.
Strengths
Elite athletic traits and conditioning; he has “won” the conditioning test at Kraken Development Camp before.
Strong hockey sense and ability to read developing plays.
Shows good scanning habits and awareness of pressure before receiving the puck.
Strong puck retrieval skills; demonstrates the crucial ability to make smart first touches under pressure.
Good breakout passer who can create transition advantages.
Above-average passing ability overall, including difficult cross-ice and long-range passes.
Patient with the puck and capable of manipulating defenders to open passing lanes.
Solid transition player with the skills to transport the puck; he often stays more involved offensively when he has an early transition touch.
Has shown strong defensive positioning and stick work for a young player in the AHL.
Improved physicality and willingness to engage opponents defensively at the net front and along the boards have been important for him as he navigates the professional transition.
Effective at killing rushes by guiding attackers outside and disrupting plays.
Versatile skillset that can translate to multiple roles (shutdown, PK, puck-moving, depth minutes).
Reliable, composed player capable of handling heavy workloads or fill-in assignments.
Sufficient size (6-foot-1) and strength to survive professionally.
Weaknesses
The offensive creativity that made him a point-per-game junior defenseman for much of his age-18 and age-19 seasons was not there in his first AHL season.
Overly conservative approach; rarely activates, takes chances to rescue offensive possession, or executes advanced offensive sequences in the AHL.
Offense waned after the midseason trade in his last junior season, too, which adds to doubts; a top-four or power-play role looks like a longshot at this point.
Overall game impact feels muted without the two-way skill sequences Price showed earlier in his junior career.
Skating is not dynamic or explosive enough to win advantages by itself.
Defensively, he can still struggle against speed, particularly when pressured or defending rushes.
Physicality in the defensive zone is going to need to continue to develop if he cannot otherwise keep opponents on their heels with his skill and skating.
Consistency from game to game needs to improve, as there are times he looks like a solid two-way player and other times when he offers little resistance or impact.
Rush defense is more about containing the opponent and preventing high-danger rushes than generating turnovers.
Needs to find an avenue to contribute in a smaller role after years of playing major minutes.
Missed significant time in his rookie AHL season with an injury.
Notes
It seems as if Price has sacrificed an offensive mentality to protect against defensive breakdowns and survive as a professional. This more conservative approach may have preserved his playing time in a competitive environment at Coachella Valley last season, but it has muted his play-driving impact. The creative plays and activations that once gave hints of a future two-way NHL defenseman rarely showed up as an AHL rookie.
Price’s athleticism, improved physicality, skating, and ascending defensive game are a solid floor. If Price can layer the offensive elements back into his game now that he has proven to the coaching staff and himself that he can make the necessary defensive plays in the AHL, he could get on an NHL trajectory. But without more dynamic offensive contributions, he profiles as more of a bubble, fill-in type rather than a career NHLer.
Lukas Dragicevic | Defenseman | Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL)
Right shot | 21 years old | 6-foot-2 | 196 lbs | 2023 Seattle Kraken second-round pick (signed)
Summary
Dragicevic’s strength is his offensive skill level. He can handle the puck, manipulate defenders, and move well in transition, along the blue line, and deeper in the offensive zone. He also has an NHL-caliber shot capable of scoring from all over the offensive zone, hitting tips, and creating rebounds. That said, he struggled to deploy those skills in his rookie AHL season as he adjusted to the pace and physicality of the professional game. While controlled breakouts and activations were a core part of his game at the junior level, Dragicevic rarely found a way to use those skills last season. Defensively, he needs a fair amount of development, with gains in his in-zone awareness, stick skills, and physicality still necessary.
Game video
Dragicevic is the right-shot defenseman wearing No. 2 in white.
Strengths
Strong offensive instincts and creativity from the blue line.
Very good shooting ability; capable of scoring from distance and off the handle through traffic.
Skilled hands with the puck; he has shown deception, fakes, lateral movement, and handling to manipulate defenders.
As a former forward, he is effective in his offensive-zone activations when he finds the space; he showed standout ability in this regard as a junior player, reading opportunities to join the rush and attack weak-side space.
Strong offensive-zone instincts, including finding shooting lanes and generating chances from difficult positions.
Solid breakout passing skill, with the various elements you need to find success, including defender manipulation and a transition skating threat.
Good forward skating, showing pace and agility.
Skillset to be an asset in transition with elusiveness and puck-possession skill.
While he did not possess the puck as often professionally, he showed improved puck management and reduced turnovers over the course of his junior career.
Showed the ability to helm a power play as a junior player, creating offense with shots, passes, and blue-line skating.
Could develop into a reactionary defender who blocks shots, engages physically, and competes hard.
Solid size (6-foot-2) and athleticism to succeed at the NHL level if he adds some more strength.
Weaknesses
While he has taken strides, he still needs to add strength and more physicality to his game; he is more of a wiry, finesse defender right now with only occasional physical engagements.
Defensive skating remains a concern; he lacks explosiveness and can be beaten by quick attackers.
Footwork can leave him behind the play or expose the middle of the ice.
Often a passive, reactive defender, allowing opponents to enter his space rather than dictating play.
Defensive-zone instincts need improvement, as he often loses gaps and backside coverages or takes poor angles.
Can get overwhelmed by pressure and forced into turnovers low in the defensive zone.
Needs to find another gear mentally in adjusting to the pace and tighter confines of the professional game.
While he has the skills to succeed, his overall puck-protection production needs to improve.
Struggled to find his offensive game at the professional level, beginning in the defensive zone, where he often defaulted to simpler, conservative, and uncontrolled plays to avoid pressure.
Fewer examples of controlled breakouts, open-ice passing, and transition puck transportation as a professional.
Did not have the puck enough on a game-to-game basis in the AHL to make a positive impact.
While the skill level is still apparent when the puck is on his stick, the creativity and play-driving impact that made him a highly regarded junior player has not shown up professionally.
Struggled to put his best foot forward in a third-pair role that rarely afforded him prime offensive chances.
Very few special-teams contributions as an AHL rookie; he was not a core part of either unit.
Notes
Dragicevic was a prolific scorer from the blue line in the junior ranks. As he turned pro, the consensus view was that Dragicevic would need to put in significant work defensively to earn an NHL role down the line. He has taken real steps defensively, but there are still significant development milestones ahead. I suspect that “adequate” defense may be his ceiling due to ongoing lapses in the innate and intuitive aspects of the defensive game. (That said, it is fair to note that players can find their defensive game a bit later in their development. Perhaps that happens for Dragicevic. He did start playing defense much later than most.)
Since turning pro, Dragicevic’s ability to generate offense under pressure has also come into question. Unlike Price, I got the sense Dragicevic was still trying to drive offense but just found it very tough sledding. Any NHL future depends on his success in finding ways to get to his ample offensive skill game on a consistent basis.
Curtis is a Sound Of Hockey contributor and member of the Kraken press corps. Curtis is an attorney by day, and he has read the NHL collective bargaining agreement and bylaws so you don’t have to. He can be found analyzing the Kraken, NHL Draft, and other hockey topics on Twitter and Bluesky @deepseahockey.
Welcome to Friday Film Room, our offseason Seattle Kraken prospects series here at Sound Of Hockey. Today, we’ll look at gameplay video, data, and analysis of defenseman Rylan Singh, Seattle’s first of two seventh-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft, and forward Julius Miettinen, the team’s 2024 second-round pick.
If you like these breakdowns, stop by every Friday because we’ll have two per week (one 2026 Kraken draft pick and one other organization prospect) until Kraken players are back on the ice for camp this fall.
Any suggestions or questions for future posts? Please let us know below or on social media at @deepseahockey or @sound_hockey.
Rylan Singh | Defenseman | Guelph Storm (OHL)
Profile: Right shot | 18 years old | 6-foot | 187 lbs | 2026 Seattle Kraken seventh-round pick (unsigned)
Summary: Singh is a mobile two-way defenseman who drives play through skating, puck movement, and dogged engagement habits. The right-shot blueliner’s intelligence and hard-working style show up consistently; even without overwhelming size or on-puck talent, he finds ways to slant play to his team’s advantage with smaller contributions. Defensively, Singh excels against the rush with strong gap control, angling, and stick work. Offensively, he fuels controlled exits and quick transitions, while also contributing point shots and some timely activations, particularly on the rush.
At this point, Singh lacks a carrying physical skill, shows limited offensive creativity, and there are examples of inconsistent puck execution in the defensive zone under pressure. Even so, his hockey sense, solid skating, and strong overall puck movement profile are a good foundation for further development.
Video: Singh is the right-shot defenseman wearing No. 4 in black.
Strengths
Very good competitiveness and work ethic; consistently impacts the game through effort and engagement.
Strong rush defender with excellent gap control, backward skating, angling, and an ability to take away the middle.
Very good mobility, showing effective four-way skating and the ability to recover defensively.
Reliable puck mover who can execute first passes, breakouts, and transition play quickly.
Generally comfortable under pressure; can move pucks through forechecks and create clean zone exits.
Strong hockey sense and awareness of timing when activating into the offensive zone.
Willing offensive contributor who joins rushes, works give-and-go sequences, and attacks open space.
Good shot from the point that can create scoring chances through traffic and deflections.
Has played significant minutes in all situations and demonstrates coachability and trustworthiness.
Physically engaged defender who uses stick work, positioning, and contact to disrupt opponents.
Creates offense through pace and quick decision-making rather than relying solely on skill plays.
Effective on zone entries and connective passes as a power-play quarterback.
Weaknesses:
Average size and limited physical explosiveness may reduce his effectiveness against bigger opponents.
Skating is effective but lacks elite acceleration and explosive separation speed.
Board battles, physical play, and net-front presence can be inconsistent despite evident effort.
Offensive game lacks a defining or game-changing element that separates him from other defenders.
Offensive vision waned at times, with rushed decisions on the puck, moving it too quickly before creating an advantage.
Offensive-zone creativity is functional but not high-end; showed limited manipulation skill.
Shot and point production may not translate without additional deception and creativity in his offensive game.
Puck skills can be inconsistent; issues with clean receptions, passes, and maintaining possession under pressure showed up on tape.
Occasional turnovers, particularly when attempting difficult plays or handling pressure in his own zone.
At times, his defensive-zone positioning and stick detail felt inconsistent.
Notes: Singh’s motor, four-way mobility, and willingness to push offensive play made him a reliable top-pair junior defender. He projects as an asset on breakouts and between the blue lines. Without significant added elements to his in-zone offensive or defensive play, though, Singh’s projection may top out in the depth category professionally. That said, what he does well fits where the NHL game is going. If he can truly max out, his profile falls somewhere between Ryker Evans and Cale Fleury as an average-sized, complementary puck mover from the blue line.
Julius Miettinen | Forward | Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL)
Profile: Left shot | 20 years old | 6-foot-4 | 207 lbs | 2024 Seattle Kraken second-round pick (signed)
Summary: Julius Miettinen is a big, athletic, and intelligent two-way center whose value comes from his support play, defensive awareness, and ability to connect offensive sequences. He consistently wins puck battles, creates a net-front presence, and positions himself well in all three zones. While not a dynamic puck carrier or primary offensive driver, he makes quick, effective plays, complements skilled linemates, and occasionally flashes above-average playmaking.
His biggest limitation is inconsistent in-game skating, which can grade as below average in both acceleration and agility. This limits his ability to protect the puck through the middle and drive controlled zone entries. There were times, particularly late in his junior tenure, that the transition skill seemed to be trending up, but it remains to be seen if that can translate as Miettinen escalates to professional competition. Miettinen has also missed time with a few different injuries during his career to date.
Video: Miettinen is the left-shot center wearing No. 17 in green.
Strengths:
Size (6-foot-4), strength, and athleticism to impact the game all over the ice.
Potential shutdown defensive center with strong defensive awareness, positioning, low support, puck retrievals, and backchecking habits.
Excellent support player who consistently provides outlets and arrives in the right areas.
Uses his size and reach effectively to win puck battles, protect possession, and disrupt opponents.
Reliable net-front presence, creating screens, rebounds, and second-chance opportunities, including on the power play.
Productive along the boards and in other physically contested scenarios; uses his body to separate opponents from the puck.
Effective at protecting the puck in the offensive-zone cycle game.
Makes quick, accurate short-area passes and connects offensive plays well.
High hockey IQ with strong anticipation and understanding of offensive and defensive structure.
Versatile linemate who complements skilled players without needing the puck.
Strong work rate and attention to detail in all three zones.
Adequate shot that plays up in contested scenarios.
Profiles as a core penalty killer.
Flashes as—and has the athletic traits to become consistently—an average or better functional skater for his size once in motion.
Dominated as a 20-year-old junior player like you would hope; he led the WHL playoffs in scoring and was third in both regular-season and playoff plus-minus (No. 1 in total plus-minus combining the regular and postseasons).
Asset on face-offs (60.6% in 2025-26 regular season, 57.8% in 2025-26 playoffs).
Weaknesses:
Overall, he has shown marginally below-average skating to date; in particular, his first-step acceleration, agility, and edge work need development.
Limited ability to generate controlled zone entries or consistently drive transition play.
Offensive creativity is more complementary than dynamic.
Puck handling and technical skill along the boards have been inconsistent and could use further refinement.
Passing execution and decision-making can occasionally lack precision and high-end creativity.
Doesn’t consistently impose his physical tools despite his size.
At this point, his offensive ceiling is tied to others possessing and driving possession rather than creating it himself.
Projects more as a complementary, supporting center than a true top-nine offensive driver.
Dealt with several separate injuries during his junior career.
Notes: Miettinen has NHL size and a lot of physical tools. He currently projects as a reliable bottom-six, defense-first center in the NHL. There is upside for more if he improves his skating game and can develop a bulldog puck-protection style to drive offensive possession as a “change-up” to his sound off-puck and net-front work. The skill level likely isn’t there for him to reliably score in the top six, but he has the chance to max out as a third-liner with some streaky offensive production—particularly as a net-front player on the power play—and excellent defensive impacts.
Curtis is a Sound Of Hockey contributor and member of the Kraken press corps. Curtis is an attorney by day, and he has read the NHL collective bargaining agreement and bylaws so you don’t have to. He can be found analyzing the Kraken, NHL Draft, and other hockey topics on Twitter and Bluesky @deepseahockey.
Welcome to Friday Film Room, our offseason Seattle Kraken prospects series here at Sound Of Hockey. Today, we’ll look at gameplay video, data, and analysis of Vicktor Fyodorov, the first-ever Russian-born forward to be drafted or signed by the Kraken organization, and Jagger Firkus, a second-round pick in 2022 and Seattle’s second-leading AHL scorer during the 2025-26 season. These are two players I like a lot, so I’m excited to dig in.
If you like these breakdowns, stop by every Friday because we’ll have two per week (one 2026 Kraken draft pick and one other organization prospect) until Kraken players are back on the ice for camp this fall.
Any suggestions or questions for future posts? Please let us know below or on social media at @deepseahockey or @sound_hockey.
Viktor Fyodorov | Center/Winger | Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
Profile: Left shot | 18 years old | 5-foot-10 | 183 lbs | 2026 Seattle Kraken fourth-round pick (unsigned)
Summary: Viktor Fyodorov (a.k.a. Viktor Fedorov) is a two-way center who succeeds with strong processing, a relentless work ethic, solid playmaking habits, and attention to detail. He drives possession through anticipation, puck retrievals, defensive pressure, and quick connective passing rather than dynamic individual skill. His off-puck awareness, scanning, and transition support are among his best traits, making him a reliable player in all three zones.
His NHL projection is limited by an undersized frame, average skating for his size, and inconsistent offensive creation and finishing against stronger competition. If Fyodorov continues to develop, he projects as a complementary, bottom-six, forechecking-and-defense forward.
Video: Fyodrov is the left-shot center wearing No. 41 in blue.
Strengths:
Very strong, potentially excellent hockey sense, anticipation, and ice vision could carry him a long way.
Processes the game quickly and consistently makes smart decisions.
Instinctual off-puck positioning in all three zones; he’s usually in the right place defensively and in transition support.
High-end defensive habits, including bucket-emptying backchecks.
Always forechecking; frequently a productive tip-of-the-spear neutral-zone defender.
Relentless motor and consistent competitiveness.
Strong puck retrievals and ability to extend offensive-zone possession.
Quick, accurate short-area and connective passer with solid one-touch passing ability.
Reliable transition player who links defensive recoveries into offensive possessions.
Physical engagement habits are very strong despite below-average size.
Very good defensive stick detail, including lifts, passing-lane disruptions, and puck pressure.
Has shown soft hands in tight areas to maintain possession and drive offense.
Good puck protection through body positioning and deception.
Seems to play well within systems and should be a coachable, translatable type of player.
Gained experience against pro-level competition in his draft-minus-one year (VHL, KHL) and held his own in a limited role, finding ways to contribute.
Captain for his junior team (MHL), which suggests leadership ability.
Position versatile.
Weaknesses:
Undersized frame can limit his disruption, recovery, and protection abilities against stronger competition.
Physical strength limits his ability in puck battles and at the net front against higher-level competition.
Lacks above-average offensive upside and game-breaking individual skill; relies heavily on systems and teammates rather than creating offense independently.
Average skating explosiveness and top-end speed relative to his size.
Passing can lack creativity and tends toward safe, schemed plays.
Finishing ability and shot are below average.
Offensive production often falls short of the quality of his underlying process and does not, itself, suggest an NHL future.
Questions remain whether he will be able to generate enough offense to survive against NHL-caliber defenders.
Ceiling seems more complementary than impactful, with a bottom-six NHL projection if he reaches that level.
Notes: Fyodorov has strong hockey sense and work habits and has demonstrated the capacity to match up against quality competition. He has a complementary skill set that lacks obvious dynamic elements. A sustained, impactful NHL career likely hinges on bolstering his strengths such that the totality of his small contributions drives team advantages all over the ice (think Yanni Gourde with Seattle). Continued strength and skating improvements are necessary. I’m high on this player, probably more so than most.
Jagger Firkus | Forward | Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL)
Profile: Right shot | 22 years old | 5-foot-11 | 163 lbs | 2022 Seattle Kraken second-round pick (signed)
Summary: Jagger Firkus is a skilled, offense-first winger whose game is driven by creativity and great hands that he uses to create offense in a variety of ways. He has strong hockey sense and scanning habits that help him find soft ice, allowing him space to create quick shooting opportunities and precision passes. His shot is a significant asset, with a deceptive, quick release. His vision as both a finisher and playmaker is excellent.
His motor is strong, and he’s a willing forechecker despite his modest size. While his evolving play along the boards has improved his NHL prospects, he remains physically limited. He can force plays off the rush. If he continues adding strength and refining his offensive execution, an NHL future as a scoring winger with power-play value is in play.
Video: Firkus is the right-shot forward wearing No. 57 in white.
Strengths:
Very strong hockey sense, making proactive reads with and without the puck.
Dangerous shooter with a quick, deceptive, and versatile release.
Innate ability to find open space off the puck.
Creative playmaker capable of slip passes, delays, and other innovative sequences.
High-energy motor with consistent forechecking pressure and puck pursuit.
Agile, elusive puck handler who creates separation with cutbacks, deceptions, and pace changes rather than pure speed (akin to Matty Beniers in this way).
Improved ability to handle pressure and make plays along the boards.
Competes hard despite his smaller frame, including on net drives and in puck battles.
Succeeded in a first-line role at the AHL level during the 2025-26 season, averaging 0.9 points per game and proving trustworthy in all three zones while playing heavy minutes.
Regularly generated offense, including high-danger looks for himself, even when the points weren’t coming.
Though he does not dominate possession, when you lose him in coverage, he will quickly link scoring sequences.
Intelligent player who knows his game well, including the areas that need improvement.
Weaknesses:
Wants to play with pace in transition attacks but lacks the pure speed to threaten professional defenders.
Undersized and still loses puck battles due to limited strength.
Production can be limited when engaged physically by defenders.
Can be knocked off the puck too easily when unable to gain separation.
Occasionally forces one-on-one attacks rather than protecting possession for another opportunity.
While the shot is an asset overall, there were times his accuracy wavered, particularly in tight, contested situations; he ought to have been a 30-goal scorer last season.
Skating has improved through hard work but is not a carrying trait.
He makes his wiry 5-foot-11 frame work, but size and length will never be assets.
Has some feel for disruptions high in the defensive zone, but overall defensive production is modest.
Questions remain about his ability to level up to the NHL due to his underwhelming combination of size, speed, and strength.
Notes: Firkus has three traits that are hard to find: hockey sense, gifted hands, and the intelligence and commitment to self-assess and improve his game. These traits have carried him to the top of the AHL ranks despite consistent scouting skepticism about his physical profile. He’s a problem solver out there, and I do believe there is a path to NHL contributions for a team that is patient enough to stick with him through an initial transition period. His ceiling may be a complementary, middle-six scorer, but he has the aptitude and mindset to reach it.
Curtis is a Sound Of Hockey contributor and member of the Kraken press corps. Curtis is an attorney by day, and he has read the NHL collective bargaining agreement and bylaws so you don’t have to. He can be found analyzing the Kraken, NHL Draft, and other hockey topics on Twitter and Bluesky @deepseahockey.
Welcome to Friday Film Room, our offseason Seattle Kraken prospects series here at Sound Of Hockey. Today, we’ll look at gameplay video, data, and analysis of defenseman Hawke Huff, the first-ever Washington-born player to be drafted or signed by the Kraken organization, and forward Jake O’Brien, Seattle’s top pick in the 2025 draft and premier scoring prospect.
If you like these breakdowns, stop by every Friday because we’ll have two per week (one 2026 Kraken draft pick and one other organization prospect) until Kraken players are back on the ice for camp this fall.
Any suggestions or questions for future posts? Please let us know below or on social media at @deepseahockey or @sound_hockey.
Hawke Huff | Defenseman | Univ. of St. Thomas (NCAA)
Profile: Right shot | 20 years old | 6-foot-3 | 198 lbs | 2026 Seattle Kraken fifth-round pick (unsigned)
Summary: Luken Hawke Huff is a long, athletic, and dependable two-way defenseman who broke out as a top USHL blueliner in 2025-26. He has demonstrated physicality, competitiveness, defensive awareness, and quality skating while handling heavy minutes against junior competition. He excels at defending rushes, winning battles, and retrieving pucks under pressure. Particularly over the last year, he has also shown a feel for offense, puck-moving ability, and a willingness to join the attack. Continued development of his puck skills and explosiveness is necessary and will determine his ultimate upside. The runway is relatively short compared with that of a typical 2026 draft pick. He was a third-time entrant and is already 20 years old.
Video: Huff is the right-shot defenseman wearing No. 4 in green.
Strengths:
Very solid foundation of size, defensive instincts, and physical tools for professional projection.
Strong physical presence, though he typically wins battles through contact absorption, wall play, and puck protection rather than relying solely on big hits.
Proficient in puck retrievals, displaying a variety of skills to defeat pressure.
Excellent compete level and willingness to engage opponents in difficult areas.
Reliable defensive defenseman with strong gap control, reach, timing, and ability to defend rushes.
Versatile player who has played both sides of the ice during his junior career.
Strong current skating due to recent improvements; he shows better stride extension, depth, and mobility compared to previous seasons.
Natural mover, getting to defensive landmarks and creating plays.
Effective in all situations, with strong defensive instincts on the penalty kill and the agility and vision to competently play the blue line on the power play.
Production did not regress despite increased responsibility and heavy minutes.
Active offensively; willing to join rushes and occasionally lead transitions.
Solid passing skills within the team’s structure.
Weaknesses:
While there are promising elements, he’s not a high-end skater, and he needs to prove his recent improvements are permanent; more power and explosiveness should be attainable.
Offensive creativity and playmaking ability remain limited.
Puck handling and offensive stick skills are not positive assets at this stage.
Rarely makes truly creative or unexpected passes; attacks opponents in a more basic fashion.
Flashes as a puck transporter but will need to become more consistent to succeed at higher levels.
Needs to develop greater aggression and assertiveness to leverage his physical skill set.
Needs offensive growth and skill refinement to project as anything more than a reliable third-pair professional defenseman.
Late-developing prospect who was drafted at the very end of his eligibility window; Huff is two weeks older than Berkly Catton.
System rank: 15-30 (organizational depth).
Notes: Huff is getting a chance, despite being a late bloomer, because he is a 6-foot-3 right-shot defenseman. Even so, I was impressed by Huff’s athleticism and movement skills relative to his peers at Development Camp. Notwithstanding earlier scouting reports that questioned Huff’s agility and explosiveness, I thought his skating was a positive component of his profile. If he can build on what we saw at Development Camp and make skating pace an asset, one can easily envision a professional game built on proficient retrievals, controlled exits, and up-ice puck movement. I suspect I’m higher on him than most.
I have little problem projecting Huff as a solid AHL prospect, but the on-puck skills will need to come along if he’s going to be more than that. He will have several years at the University of St. Thomas (now an NCHC school) to build up his game against quality competition and prove there is another level to his game.
Jake O’Brien | Forward | Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL)
Profile: Right shot | 19 years old | 6-foot-2 | 176 lbs | 2025 Seattle Kraken first-round pick (signed)
Summary: Jake O’Brien is a highly intelligent, creative playmaking forward who shows elite ice vision, a deep bag of deceptions, and difference-making passing skill to drive offense at even strength, but particularly on the power play. Though he lacks game-changing speed or physicality, he is able to win and create offensive advantages by getting to the correct areas off the puck and manipulating defenders with changes of pace, fakes, and strong puck handling.
His defensive game and off-puck habits have improved steadily, increasing his two-way value and giving him a chance to stick at center as a professional. That said, a future as a playmaking winger who is free to rove the offensive zone and find soft spots to create shots and passing lanes also fits his profile.
He is willing to go to the middle and attempt interior shots, but his projection depends on adding strength, elevating his pace to professional standards, and embracing a mindset of playing through defensive contact.
Video: O’Brien is the right-shot forward wearing No. 44 in white.
Strengths:
Elite vision and passing creativity from all angles and puck positions.
Outstanding deception with his hands, body fakes, and changes of pace.
High-end power-play half-boards quarterback capable of dissecting defenses with seam passes others do not see or attempt; he can single-handedly elevate a unit’s in-zone production.
Has shown the ability to control the puck and maintain composure through traffic at the junior level.
Manipulates defenders to open passing lanes and create space for teammates.
Strong offensive processing and anticipation.
Shows a willingness to drive the net front, absorb defensive abuse, and work through checks for rebounds.
Solid shot with a quick release when he chooses to use it, though he often errs on the side of playmaking.
Reliable off-puck support and offensive positioning.
Defensive game has taken meaningful strides, with strong positioning, stick detail, lane denial, and puck retrievals.
Good height (6-foot-1.5) and stick reach help him offensively and defensively.
Weaknesses:
Solid athlete but will not defeat professional defenders purely with size, speed, or agility.
Needs to add strength to win board battles and handle physical pressure.
Solid production in puck battles declines along the boards.
Physical engagement and consistency under heavy forechecking pressure remain question marks as he transitions to the professional game.
Below-average pace and acceleration limit his separation and transition effectiveness.
Limited explosiveness reduces his ability to consistently beat defenders one-on-one.
Needs to develop a more direct, north-south attacking style, even if only as a “changeup” to open up his delays and east-west game.
Pass-first mentality leads to missed shooting opportunities and overcomplicated decisions.
Can overhandle the puck or delay too long, resulting in turnovers.
Needs to improve his puck-protection ability if his delays, fakes, and deceptions intended to elicit defensive overcommitment and open passing lanes are going to work.
Has some east-west tendencies and a propensity for extended possession plays that may be less effective at the NHL level.
Does not create as much offense at 5-on-5 compared with his stellar power-play impact.
There are times when, out of frustration or otherwise, he will force low-percentage or hopeful passes.
System rank: No. 2 (top-of-the-lineup NHL player).
Notes: Scott Wheeler of The Athleticreported that O’Brien missed this summer’s World Junior Summer Showcase because he was in Seattle receiving treatment for knee tendinitis. Geoff Baker’s article linked above highlights O’Brien’s strength-training work in Seattle in recent weeks but makes no reference to a knee issue. This is a situation to monitor as we head into Kraken training camp. Is O’Brien fully healthy with added strength or is there a lingering knee issue that needs to be managed?
Longterm, O’Brien’s value turns on his ability to create offense professionally as he did at the junior level. His game may appear “quiet” for long stretches since he cannot impose his will with raw speed or power. But if you forget about him for even a moment, he’ll set up high-danger chances with high-end, no-look, cross-seam, or give-and-go passing sequences. His offensive processing and game instincts are his separators. But to deploy them, he will need to level up his pace and physical strength. It will take some time in the AHL, perhaps even two full years. But the upside at the end could be a Mitch Marner-like (light?) offensive driver who is a threat to create scoring opportunities for his teammates at any moment and approach point-per-game status with first-unit power-play time at his peak.
Curtis is a Sound Of Hockey contributor and member of the Kraken press corps. Curtis is an attorney by day, and he has read the NHL collective bargaining agreement and bylaws so you don’t have to. He can be found analyzing the Kraken, NHL Draft, and other hockey topics on Twitter and Bluesky @deepseahockey.
