Carson Rehkopf, selected No. 50 overall by the Seattle Kraken, is a 6-foot-2 shot-first, scoring winger. He played with the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL this season.
Quick thoughts on the pick
One day after the Kraken invested in a high-upside left-shot winger with a safe floor of point production, drafting Eduard Sale with pick No. 20, the team returned to the same script with their first pick in the second round, tabbing Rehkopf at No. 50. The Elite Prospects team puts it this way: “Rehkopf is one of the most polarizing players available from the OHL this year. His strong athletic profile makes him a very intriguing player to scouts, but many are concerned by the varying engagement levels.” We heard similar things about Sale. That said, Rehkopf produced well enough to justify a pick in this range, checking in at No. 39 overall in our consensus analytics ranking. If there’s more production in the tank with increased consistency, this will start to look like a strong value pick in the years ahead.
Carson Rehkopf player profile
Left wing | Kichener Rangers (OHL) | Age: 18 | Height: 6’2.5″ | Weight: 195 lbs | Left shot
Rehkopf was ranked at No. 48 on theSound Of Hockey Big Board. His highest ranking was No. 36 by both DraftPro and Peter Barachinni of The Hockey News. He was a consensus second rounder in the range of Seattle’s selection.
How does he look on the ice?
What are scouts saying?
“Rehkopf’s NHL argument is all about his toolkit and less about his production. He has a rare combination of speed, skill and size. When you see a 6-foot-2 forward jet up the ice and beat guys one-on-one like Rehkopf can, it’s easy to dream on what he will be in the NHL. He’s a shot threat from range, often beating goalies from the dots. While he can score from outside, I’d like to see more interior attacks from Rehkopf, especially given his frame. He has playmaking in his game, as I’ve seen Rehkopf execute high-difficulty passes and make plays, but that part of his game needs to be more consistent.” – Corey Pronman of The Athletic
Where can I find more information?
Corey Pronman of The Athletic (link) ($$) ranked Rehkopf No. 39 overall
Scott Wheeler of The Athletic (link) ($$) ranked Rehkopf No. 47 overall
Chris Peters of FloHockey (link) ranked Rehkopf No. 44 overall
Brock Otten (McKeen’s) (link) goes in depth with a video scouting report on Rehkopf
Last thoughts
Seattle built a base of solid prospects in the 2022 draft, but if there was a criticism of the players in the system, it was that there weren’t many players with top-of-the-lineup ceiling beyond Shane Wright. Through two picks in 2023, the Seattle Kraken seem to have made high-end tools a priority. Sale has top-line potential, and Rehkopf could blossom into a top-six forward too. That said, there is a bit of risk in both of their profiles that they may not have the compete level or hockey sense to translate to the next level. It will be fascinating to follow them both as they (likely) go up against each other in the Ontario Hockey League next year.
Welcome to the Sound Of Hockey NHL Entry Draft live blog. The Kraken have ten picks in total today. We will continue to add information about their selections here throughout the day. The most recent updates will show up first, so scroll down on the page to see earlier news.
Let’s get to it!
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11:35 AM – That closes the books on the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Here is your 2023 Seattle Kraken Draft Class. Expect many of if not all of these prospects in Seattle this weekend for the Kraken Development Camp.
Here is how the class breaks down by position, league, and place of birth:
11:20 AM – With the Kraken’s last selection in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, the Seattle Kraken have selected Forward Zaccharya Wisdom from the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in the USHL. This is the second year of eligibility for Wisdom. He had 48 points in 59 games.
— Seattle Kraken PR (@SeattleKrakenPR) June 29, 2023
10:55 AM – The Kraken have selected their first Swedish player ever in the NHL Entry Draft. Zeb Forsfjäll had limited games in the Swedish Elite League last season but got a majority of his games in J20 Swedish Junior League where he had 22 points over 24 games. He is listed as a center.
Sweden has broken the ice against Slovakia to take a 1-0 lead!
10:44 AM – Always a good bet to draft a Finnish goalie. Visa Vedenpää has been drafted by the Kraken in the 6th Round. That is the second Finnish goalie selected by the Kraken after the selected Niklas Kokko in 2022. Goalies are a long play so it could be years before we see Vedenpää in the Kraken system.
10:25 AM – After being passed up the last two drafts, Seattle Thunderbirds goaltender Thomas Milic has been drafted by the Winnipeg Jets! This kid just wins, and it is so nice to see him finally drafted.
Thomas Milic finally gets drafted in 3rd year. It's been a long road, but the Winnipeg Jets get the guy who won World Junior and WHL titles as a starting goalie. Even his backup went before him in the draft, but he earned his selection today. Size is the concern, but he competes.
10:23 AM – The Seattle Kraken keep it local with their fifth-round pick. They select Everett Silvertips defenseman Kaden Hammell. Hammell was traded to Everett halfway through the 2022-23 season from Kamloops. This is the third WHL player selected by the Kraken this draft and third defenseman. (They only selected two defenseman last draft.) It should be fun to have a Kraken prospect right in our backyard.
10:02 AM – Flying through these picks right now. Here is the recap of Round Four.
9:51 AM – With the 116th pick, the Seattle Kraken select Andrei Loshko from the Chicoutimi Saguenéens of the QMJHL. Listed as a center, he had 70 points in 67 games this season. According to Elite Prospects, he is strong defensively as well, often matching up with the other team’s top line. Originally from Belarus, he has played the last two seasons with Chicoutimi.
9:26 AM – And we are through Round Three.
9:18 AM – The Seattle Kraken select another WHLer, Caden Price, from the Kelowna Rockets. This is the second defensman selected by the Kraken and the second WHLer of the draft. Price is a big body that uses that size for a physical game. He is a little bit of a gamble that could be a boom… or bust.
8:55 AM – That is a wrap on Round Two. With three Kraken picks and two Seattle Thunderbirds, it was a bit of a whirlwind.
8:41 AM – With their third selection of the second round and pick No. 57 overall, the Kraken keep it local with Tri-City Americans defenseman Lukas Dragicevic. Loved watching this kid this season. He’s a 6-foot-2, 181-pounder, so he has room to grow into his frame. The Sound Of Hockey big board had him at a composite ranking of No. 33 overall, so good value here.
8:36 AM – The Kraken select Oscar Fisker Molgaard from Denmark at No. 52 overall. He is currently playing for HK71 in the Swedish Elite League. Molgaard is a left-shot center that had just seven points in 41 games last season, but he was playing against men. So, you typically wouldn’t see huge production from a player in that position.
8:33 AM – With the 50th overall pick, the Seattle Kraken select Carson Rehkopf. Rehkoph is a big-bodied left winger from the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL. He had 65 points in 77 games this season.
8:15 AM – We have our first Seattle Thunderbird selected. Nico Myatovic kicks off the second round. He is headed to the Anaheim Ducks.
8:08 AM – Probably stating the obvious, but players drafted in later rounds tend to take a lot longer to make it to the NHL.
8:00 AM – Welcome back for Day 2 of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Things will come fast and furious today, and we will do our best to keep you current as the draft unfolds in Nashville. Here is a look at the Seattle Kraken Draft picks to start the day.
Note that last year, the Kraken would trade three picks throughout the day, and I imagine more of the same this year. If you have not read up on the Kraken’s first-round selection from last night, check out this profile on the latest Seattle Kraken, Eduard Šalé.
Eduard Sale (pronounced SHAH-lay), selected No. 20 overall by the Seattle Kraken, is a 6-foot-2 left-shot winger. He played at the professional level this season in perhaps the third-best league in the world, Czechia’s Extraliga, for HC Kometa Brno.
Quick thoughts on the pick
On the one hand, this is a swing on talent. The Elite Prospects team had this to say on Sale: “[On] sheer talent alone, Sale is a no-brainer top-10 pick. Perhaps even higher.” On the other hand, this isn’t an example of drafting an unproductive player. To the contrary, he checked in at No. 21 overall in the Sound Of Hockey consensus analytics ranking. My NHLe calculation pegged him as the 25th best prospect in the draft.
Eduard Sale player profile
Left Wing | HC Kometa Brno (Extraliga) | Age: 18 | Height: 6’1.75″ | Weight: 175 lbs | Left shot
Sale has been closely scrutinized, playing at a top professional level in Czechia from a very young age. But this experience makes him one of the more pro-ready prospects in the draft. It’s also possible he could come to North America this season to play in the OHL for the Barrie Colts, according to Jeff Marek.
Expect Seattle first round pick Eduard Sale to play with the OHL’s Barrie Colts next season.
Alternatively, he could be a candidate to follow in the footsteps of countryman David Jiricek and play in the AHL immediately. If so, there would be yet more reason to fire up AHL.tv and watch the Coachella Valley Firebirds again next year.
What does the Big Board say?
At the time the Kraken drafted, Sale was the second-highest ranked remaining player on the Sound Of Hockey Big Board at No. 17 overall. Only Gabe Perreault was ranked higher at No. 14. There were some highly productive North American players that were still on the board at the time of the Kraken’s pick (Perreault, Quinton Musty, and Andrew Cristall) that I thought would likely be strong considerations, but of those players only Musty’s physical tools compare with Sale’s. Sale’s highest ranking was No. 7 overall by Craig Button of TSN.
How does he look on the ice?
What are scouts saying?
Strengths: “His movement stands out as a top trait, stemming from technically sound skating mechanics. He’s able to accelerate quite quickly, reaching his top speed effortlessly. He might just be one of the fastest prospects in the draft. It’s not just his straight-line skating either. He has strong edges that he utilizes to change direction quickly and suddenly, making him hard to predict as he attacks in the offensive zone. . . . His puckhandling is nearly as good as his skating . . . . He’s able to head into traffic with the puck or without and come out with it with relative ease. He also regularly jumps into board battles and isn’t afraid to get physical in his play. He plays without any lack of confidence, sometimes even overconfident as he cheats to the offensive side of the puck. He has a strong shot but does need to work on his accuracy at times. He’s just as good at dishing it out though, showing off great vision as he moves the puck around the offensive end. . . . What might just be Sale’s most intriguing attribute though is his ability to play in all situations. He can be depended on during the penalty kill, and more than contributes at even strength and on the power play. He can play up and down the lineup and be relied on in the dying minutes of a game.” – McKeen’s Draft Guide
Weaknesses: “Where he does need to focus is his consistency, as he can tend to lack urgency or off-puck commitment depending on the scoreboard. When he needs to be, he’s on, but this needs to be the case every time he hits the ice.” – McKeen’s Draft Guide
Where can I find more information?
Corey Pronman of The Athletic (link) ($$): ranked Sale No. 24 overall
Scott Wheeler of The Athletic (link) ($$): ranked Sale No. 14 overall
Chris Peters of FloHockey (link): ranked Sale No. 21 overall
There are a lot of things working in favor of this pick. Sale is a tall, toolsy player with good speed and skating skill. And beyond that his data profile already supports his status as a first-round pick. Add to that the fact that he has performed at an adequate level in a high-level professional league already as an 18-year-old, and there are many different ways to look at Sale and like the pick.
Kraken general manager Ron Francis has often said he looks to his scouts and analytics department to support each other before making a move. This looks like a pick where both sides of the front office were able to find common ground, and with director of amateur scouting Robert Kron having plenty of connections in his native Czechia, he undoubtedly had plenty of information about Sale.
It has been a while since we have done a round of Musings, but with a crazy week ahead across the league, I thought it was time I dusted off the template and shared some thoughts before we head into the NHL Entry Draft and then free agency.
Managing expectations of NHL Entry Draft prospects
The first round of the NHL Entry Draft kicks off Wednesday as 32 of the best draft-eligible hockey players in the world will hear their names called in Nashville. Rounds 2-7 will be Thursday starting at 8 a.m. Pacific. For the players that get selected, it is a remarkable accomplishment, even if a lot of them might not ever suit up for an NHL team. For those players that do eventually make it, there is still a long road ahead. To help manage everyone’s expectations, here is a quick refresher on the outlook of an NHL prospect.
First round of the NHL Entry Draft
The first round of the NHL Entry Draft is as close to a sure thing as it comes. 98 percent of NHL skaters drafted in the first round between 2010 and 2018 have played at least one NHL game and 81 percent of the first rounders played at least 100 games in the NHL.
Note that this visual excludes goalies drafted. Goalies are unique in terms of development time, and games played can be misleading since goalies can be in the NHL but not get credit for an official game played if they are serving as the backup.
Timing of first-round draft picks
When players make it to the NHL is another core component of setting expectations. Where a skater is drafted in the first round will correlate with the expected games played by season, but on the aggregate, the peak number of games played by a first-round draft pick will be around his sixth season after being drafted.
Assuming no trades that impact the Kraken’s first pick of the NHL Entry Draft, they will select 20th overall Wednesday. That means we should not expect Seattle’s first-round pick to play more than 25 games in the NHL until the 2025-26 season.
Other themes of the NHL entry draft
One of the biggest stories of the draft will be who drafts the Russian phenom, Matvei Michkov. There was a time when I remember people debating who would go No. 1, Michkov or Connor Bedard, but the world has changed since then. Michkov faced adversity and is proving to be enigmatic. Teams will need to evaluate the risk they are willing to take on by drafting Michkov, as there do seem to be a lot of questions about when he might make it to North America. Most prognosticators seem to think he doesn’t slip past eighth overall.
On that note, here is a look at the number of Russians drafted by team and round over the last three NHL Entry Drafts.
They released the Kraken… schedule
In case you missed it, the Kraken released their 2023-24 schedule. They will open in Vegas on Oct. 10, which will be the night the Golden Knights raise their Stanley Cup Championship banner. The home opener will be Oct. 17 against the Colorado Avalanche. The Kraken have the fewest back-to-back games in the league next season, which should be an advantage. During the 2022-23 season, the Kraken were 8-5-3 in the second game of a back-to-back scenario, though, so maybe this is a bad thing.
The Kraken will travel 49,572 miles this coming season which is 5,000 more miles than last season. 49,572 is fourth most behind Edmonton (53,902), Winnipeg (53,008), and Calgary (50,013).
Other Kraken Musings
The Kraken prospect pool is rather shallow at defense. We all like Ty Nelson (2022 third round) but of the drafted players, Ryker Evans (2021 second round) appears to be the only lock to eventually make the NHL.
On that note, if either of the Swedish defensemen of Tom Willander or Axel Sandin-Pellikka slip to the Kraken at No. 20, either of them will be hard to pass up.
The Kraken have never drafted a Swedish hockey play in the NHL Entry Draft.
It was fun to start entering Kraken game dates in my calendar this week. I have also started to circle a few away games on the schedule.
I wonder how many fans will be booing Cale Makar on opening night?
The Kraken have just three regular-season home games in October and a whopping 10 home games in March.
One of the rumored players on the trade block is Samuel Girard from the Colorado Avalanche. I would love to see Ron Francis pull another Oliver Bjorkstrand-like trade for Girard.
The Kraken re-signed defenseman Gustav Olofsson this week to a two-year, two-way deal for a league minimum of $775k AAV. Olofsson was steady for the few games when he got called up this season, but what I remember about him is his interaction with the fans when they were playing one of their AHL games at the Kraken Community Iceplex. He made a point to wave to kids on the glass and give fist bumps. Things you just love to see.
NHL clubs have until Friday to submit qualifying offers to their pending restricted free agents. We have mentioned it multiple times, but we do not anticipate Daniel Sprong receiving a qualifying offer. Essentially, he played too well and priced himself out of re-signing with Kraken.
Morgan Geekie is the interesting pending RFA. We saw how shrewd Ron Francis can be when he did not qualify Ryan Donato and Sprong last season, only to re-sign them in free agency later in the summer. Could he do something similar with Geekie? If Geekie is not qualified, I do not see him coming back to Seattle.
There are seven days where the Kraken, Silvertips, and Thunderbirds are all playing home games.
The busy week ahead
It is going to be a busy week, so to help you (and myself) keep it all straight, here is the rundown.
6/28 – First Round of the NHL Entry Draft (ESPN)
6/29 – Rounds two through seven of the NHL Entry Draft (NHL Network)
6/30 – Qualifying offers due for all pending restricted free agents, buyout period ends
7/1 – NHL free agency period opens
7/1 – Seattle Kraken development camp starts
7/2 – Seattle Kraken development camp open to the public
7/5 – Seattle Kraken development camp 3-on-3 scrimmage open to the public
There is a lot going on right now, and we surely missed a few topics, but if there are any questions, thoughts, or areas you would like me to explore, leave a note in the comments section. Thank you for reading. Enjoy the draft, free agency, and development camp.
It’s draft week, and that means a lot of content here at Sound Of Hockey. John Barr and Darren Brown will be talking about the draft on this week’s Sound Of Hockey Podcast. On the website, check out:
The Sound Of Hockey Big Board, compiling rankings and other data for 6000+ draft eligible skaters;
Today, we mock draft. I will presume that players will come off the board in the order predicted by the Big Board. For example, if a player is slotted at No. 47 on the Big Board, I treat that player as unavailable to the Kraken at pick No. 50. In highlighting potential “alternative” picks, I’ll mention a few players who could be in range if they “fall” to Seattle’s pick. I won’t “predict” any trades, but I’ll mention a few that would be fun along the way.
Age: 17 | Height: 6’1.5” | Weight: 200 | Left shot | 27 goals and 55 assists in 57 games played
Scout’s view: “Musty has an excellent shot from range, distributes quite well off of the rush and does a great job of creating space for himself. His ability to create consistently at 5v5 is a credit to how well he handles pressure. Musty will take advantage of tight lanes when looking to thread the needle and will look to complete drop passes when hitting a wall.” – Josh Tessler
Notes: Musty would check a lot of boxes for the Kraken. His point production stacks up against past high draft picks from the OHL. He has the size, shot, and playmaking ability to thrive in the top half of an NHL lineup. He is one of the youngest players in the draft. And, he happens to play a position (left wing) at which the Kraken have not yet invested much draft capital.
Some scouts faulted his engagement and defense, though others reported that these aspects of his game improved as his draft season progressed. His skating may be the biggest question mark, but his physical profile and skill creates an avenue to a bottom-six role in the NHL even if the skating doesn’t come around.
How about a few alternatives? LW Samuel Honzek (Big Board rank: 19 | Analytics rank: 20) is an impressive athlete. LW Andrew Cristall (Big Board rank: 25 | Analytics rank: 8) is intriguing for his offensive potential if Kraken scouts are sold on his skating and overall game.
What if the draft were 10% more fun? Let’s trade picks 20, 52, and 84 to the Pittsburgh Penguins for pick No. 14 and draft LW Zach Benson (Big Board rank: 6 | Analytics rank: 6) if he falls due to size concerns.
Age: 18 | Height: 5’11.75” | Weight: 190 | Right shot | 6 goals and 55 assists in 77 games played
Scout’s view: “The four way mobility (especially his edgework and lateral quickness) is excellent . . . . As a puck mover, Brzustewicz stands out because of his vision and decision making. Poised under pressure, he always seems to make the correct play with the puck on his stick. . . . I’m a little leary of the projection, but he passed the eye test almost every night in the second half showing great progression.” – Brock Otten
Notes: Scouts describe a well-rounded profile that was trending up toward the end of the 2022-23 season. Scouting critiques point to his underlying athleticism and engagement level, but his skating skill seems solid enough for him to project as solid in the transition game. While he may not have a dynamic element that makes a top-of-the-lineup projection likely, he checks a lot of boxes for Seattle. He plays a position of thin depth in the organization (right defense), and his scoring suggests he is a solid value in the mid-second round.
How about a few alternatives? Many scouts prefer RD Beau Akey (Big Board rank: 47 | Analytics rank: 43). LD Luca Cagnoni (Big Board rank: 49 | Analytics rank: 23) is an undersized but talented player who could pay dividends if he can survive defensively at the NHL level. LD Etienne Morin (Big Board rank: 52 | Analytics rank: 57) was highly productive in the QMJHL. In reality, pick No. 50 may be a selection where Seattle tries to catch a player, likely a forward, who “falls.” I’ll highlight a few of these as alternatives to pick No. 52.
What if the draft were 10% more fun? Let’s trade picks 50 and 52 to Chicago for pick 35 and draft RD Lukas Dragicevic (Big Board Rank: 33 | Analytics Rank: 19), a blueliner with as much offensive upside as any in the draft.
Age: 18 | Height: 6’1” | Weight: 185 | Right shot | 12 goals and 13 assists in 59 games played
Scout’s view: “[T]here’s no doubt about Hämeenaho’s best quality being his intelligence. He’s an extremely smart off-puck player at both ends of the rink. . . . On the other side of the coin is Hämeenaho’s skating. It’s a problem with both the mechanics and the output. . . . Both the top speed and the acceleration are lacking.” – Elite Prospects Draft Guide
Notes: Hameenaho is routinely lauded for strong intelligence and hockey sense, making the right plays without the puck consistently. Otherwise he has a solid-but-not-superlative skill set across the board and is burdened by below-average skating. Several scouts suggest he’s close to being ready to take on a third-line role in the NHL right now but doubt he has much more upside beyond that. While this is seemingly meant as a criticism, I don’t see it that way. If Hameenaho caps out as a third-line player, that is an excellent result for a second-round pick. His production at the highest Finnish pro league at his age makes him a prime target in my NHLe calculation. At the very least he’d be a high-floor counterbalance against other high-upside picks if the Kraken selected him in the second round.
How about a few alternatives? RW Jayden Perron (Big Board rank: 36 | Analytics rank: 30), who would be a worthy selection at pick No. 50 or 52 if he falls. RW Koehn Ziemmer (Big Board rank: 44 | Analytics rank: 22) could very well be the choice at 50 or 52 if he lingers. Setting aside the uncertainty of drafting Russian players, Roman Kantserov (Big Board rank: 64 | Analytics rank: 34) would be in the mix. If I could have cheated on the premise of this exercise–that players will be drafted in Big Board order–I would have gone with Perron or Ziemmer at No. 50 and Brzustewicz at No. 52.
Age: 17 | Height: 6’2” | Weight: 179 | Left shot | 12 goals and 43 assists in 70 games played
Scout’s view: “Bertucci’s a lockdown defender with a budding transition game. He gets on his check early, matches opponents’ footwork along the boards, and ties up sticks around the net. Physicality and pace kills plays across the rink, and make him a formidable 1-on-1 defender.” – Elite Prospects Draft Guide
Notes: Bertucci’s data supports a selection in the top two rounds. Add to that quality size, young age, and on-ice performance that was trending up toward the end of the season, and there is a lot to recommend selecting him, even if it is viewed as a bit of a “reach” at pick No. 57. Critiques of Bertucci often returned to his performance with the puck under pressure, but some noted improvements as the season moved along.
How about a few alternatives? Bertucci’s teammate RW Coulsen Pitre (Big Board Rank: 68 | Analytics Rank: 41) is an intriguing alternative. Undersized but hard charging forwards Luca Pinelli (Big Board Rank: 61 | Analytics Rank: 46) and Denver Barkey (Big Board Rank: 66 | Analytics Rank: 51) would also make sense. The Kraken may opt to snag a goalie in the second round, and, if they do, Jacob Fowler (Big Board Rank: 71 | Analytics Rank: 136) and Juha Jatkola (more on him in a minute) stand out to me based on their production.
Age: 18 | Height: 6’1” | Weight: 181 | Right shot | 8 goals and 19 assists in 42 games played
Scout’s view: “He’s solid in his own end, going down to his positioning (most of the time), his active stick, and his impressive four-way mobility. His skating especially stands out as a trait that should carry over extremely well to the next levels. There are times when he can puck chase, but it’s important to note his age here. He has a great deal of development time left. He also brings an excellent level of physicality, not afraid to mix it up with anyone.” – McKeen’s Draft Guide
Notes: McCarthy’s data justifies his draft position, particularly as a right-handed defenseman. And scouts saw an emerging physical presence with a quality defensive game and movement skills. Headed for college in the fall, he affords the Kraken a longer timeline before reaching a signing decision.
How about a few alternatives? Tanner Ludtke (Big Board rank: 106 | Analytics rank: 72) intrigues as a center prospect who still could be on the board at this point. Winger Aiden Fink (Big Board rank: 91 | Analytics rank: 83) would be a home run swing on a small Junior-A scorer. Alexander Rykov (Big Board rank: 78 | Analytics rank: 47) would be interesting if he is still there.
Age: 20 | Height: 6’1” | Weight: 176 | Left glove | .905 save % in 43 games played
Scout’s view: “He lacks the massive frame that a lot of scouts look for, but makes up for that with an intelligent, aggressive approach to facing shooters. . . . Playing in a professional league for an extended period of time for the first time in his career seems to have paid off dividends for his situational awareness. . . . Strong skating ability in regards to both his strength and edgework are also key components to Jatkola’s game.” – Elite Prospects Draft Guide
Notes: Jatkola makes sense to me for two reasons. First, playing in Finland dovetails with the team’s goalie expertise in its scouting ranks. Second, Jatkola showed that he could perform as an above-average regular at a high professional level (Liiga). Junior goalies are years away from reaching that stage. So, theoretically, Jatkola should carry less uncertainty and a shorter development path.
How about a few alternatives? From this point forward in the draft, any player with a strong data profile becomes a likely Kraken target. Among those not mentioned below are: RW Yegor Klimovich; RD Mazden Leslie; LD Magomed Sharakanov; LD Oskar Asplund; LD Elmeri Laakso; RW Alexander Suvorov; and C Antti Virtanen.
Round 5. Pick 148: Ryan Conmy, RW, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
Age: 18 | Height: 5’10” | Weight: 185 | Right shot | 34 goals and 30 assists in 62 games played
Scout’s view: “Conmy’s a precision shooter, crafty playmaker, and inside lane attacker. . . . When Conmy’s not on the puck, he’s getting open and creating space. . . . And he gobbles up every loose puck with a two-metre radius, cementing his 200-foot player status.” – Elite Prospects Draft Guide
Notes: Perhaps my favorite sleeper draft prospect in this class, his data profile resembles a top pick, and scouts seem generally complimentary of his play. Critiques focus on his skating mechanics and overall speed, but similar things can be said of prospects ranked much higher.
Round 6. Pick 168: Ivan Anoshko, C, Dinamo-Shinnik Bobruysk (MHL)
Age: 18 | Height: 5’10” | Weight: 168 | Left shot | 21 goals and 33 assists in 55 games played
Scout’s View: “A skilled playmaking center out of Belarus, Anoshko plays a heady and mature game. He was the MHL’s rookie of the year this season and has been on the scouting radar for a few years thanks to his international performances for Belarus. Despite a lack of size, he routinely attacks between the hash marks and drives the net. The athletic tools will undoubtedly need to improve . . . .” – McKeen’s Draft Guide
Notes: An interesting late-round center prospect, there are some rumors he may play in the USHL next season, which would make his development more manageable.
Round 6. Pick 180: Justin Kipkie, LD, Victoria Royals (WHL)
Age: 17 | Height: 6’4” | Weight: 190 | Left shot | 8 goals and 25 assists in 67 games played
Scout’s View: “[Kipkie] is a strong, hard-nosed defenseman who showcases impressive mental fortitude and above-average hockey sense. He utilizes his strength and grit both in battles in the defensive end, as well as by leaning into his heavy shot. . . . His skating is flat-out ugly, with heavy boots and minimal agility, but there is possibility for improvement. He is a little difficult to project at the moment, but there is enough raw material here that a development staff could sculpt an NHL defenseman out of.” – McKeen’s Draft Guide
Notes: This is the point of the draft where gambling on a big-bodied defenseman makes the most sense. Kipkie is young, has tools, and some production to go with a 6-foot-4 frame. The Kraken will face a quick decision about whether to sign him, though, which is what makes this pick a bit difficult.
Age: 20 | Height: 5’11” | Weight: 176 | Right shot | 2 goals and 28 assists in 74 games played
Scout’s View: “[Konyushov] led his KHL team in average ice time, as his cerebral game on both ends convinced coach Igor Larionov to immediately give him an opportunity for a leading role on the team. And if we look at advanced stats, those are telling that this trust paid off really well, as Konyushkov is among the league’s leaders in both completed pass amount and percentage, as well as in the puck battle win percentage.” – Victor Fomich
Notes: This draft ends up a bit too heavy on the defensive side, but Konyuskov is too interesting to pass up given his strong play in the second-best professional league in the world.
When the Coachella Valley Firebirds lost to the Hershey Bears in Game 7 of the AHL Calder Cup Finals last week, it also marked the end of Shane Wright’s long, winding season.
Wright’s first season with the Kraken organization started off rocky. He made the NHL roster out of training camp but then played just 13 total hockey games over a 70-day stretch. Eight of those were in the NHL, where he averaged just 8:29 of ice time. Many armchair experts were calling for his return to his junior team, and after being loaned to Team Canada for the World Junior Championship, Wright would eventually be sent back to the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL on Jan. 6. From the outside, it was looking in the early stages like the Kraken had botched Wright’s development out of the gate.
As 2022-23 went on, though, Wright ended up playing a lot more hockey across various levels, making up for the early season lapses. How did his season stack up against other players in his position over the past decade? We dug into the numbers to find out.
Looking at the breadth of the season
The season might have started off slowly for Wright, but he finished with 70 total games across the NHL, AHL, OHL, and World Juniors, thanks in large part to 23 AHL playoff games with the Firebirds. Is 70 games a lot for a player of Wright’s caliber and age? How does that compare to another player’s first season after being drafted?
Since 2013, 51 players have been drafted in the top 10 out of the CHL. When we isolate those 51 players, we can look at the number of games played across all leagues for those players.
Wright ended up just five games off the median number of games played (75) for this cohort, which is fine, especially considering how this season started for him.
Points per game
Games played is one thing, but how did Wright play in those games? Unfortunately, the data across non-NHL leagues is fairly limiting with just high-level stats for individual player performances, so the best we can do across all leagues is points per game. Wright scored .91 points per game.
Again, how does that stack up across his peer group? To compare Wright to his contemporaries on a points-per-game rate, we will need to filter the original 51 players to just forwards. That gives us 38 players to look at for a comparison.
On the surface, Wright’s output looks below average, ranking 23rd out of the 38 forwards in his peer group, but we should dig deeper on that. Remember that over half of Wright’s games played were in either the AHL (31 games) or NHL (8 games). Being that the NHL and AHL have stiffer competition compared with World Juniors and the OHL, Wright’s production was unsurprisingly lower when playing at pro levels. If we exclude the AHL and NHL games from the data, we get a bit of a different picture.
Wright ranks 13th out of the 32 remaining players when excluding AHL and NHL games. This still doesn’t give us the whole picture, though, because players skewed in different directions depending on their development paths. Connor McDavid, for example, didn’t play any games in the CHL in his first season after being drafted, yet he shows up with 0.9 points per game in games played outside the NHL and AHL. McDavid’s only non-NHL games after being selected No. 1 overall in 2015 came from the IIHF World Championship, where he was competing with NHL players.
Players in the AHL under 19 years old
It is very rare for a prospect under 19 years old to spend any significant time in the AHL. This is partly due to the NHL-CHL development agreement and partly because it’s rare that these players are physically ready for the AHL. The pandemic-impacted season of 2020-21 gave us an unusual influx of under-19-year-old players in the AHL. If we isolate these players that were under 19 to start the season, we get a small sample to help evaluate Shane’s performance.
On a points-per-game basis, Wright landed right in the middle at .469 during the 2022-23 season, which includes the playoffs. Of course, even this has some nuance. 75 percent of his games came in the playoffs where scoring is more difficult. Shane Wright averaged .750 points per game during the regular season but only .375 during the playoffs.
Next year will be huge
Simply evaluating games played and points per game is far from a complete analysis of Wright’s body of work this season, but despite how the season started, there are some encouraging signs. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft was still able to play close to the average number of games this season with 32 of those coming in the AHL. This should be considered a bonus to his development year, being that he technically wasn’t even eligible to play at that level. It is still unclear if the AHL is an option for Wright next season, but he has proven that he can compete at that level, which might be the best place for him if he is allowed to go there in 2023-24.
The Seattle Kraken have their first major NHL award winner. Matty Beniers won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year at the league’s annual awards ceremony Monday in Nashville, beating out Buffalo Sabres defenseman and fellow University of Michigan alum Owen Power and Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner.
“Thank you to the people that have gotten me to this point,” said Beniers in his acceptance speech on the stage at Bridgestone Arena. “Obviously my awesome family that has been here every step of the way since I was a little kid and up until this year. [To the] Kraken organization, support staff, coaches, you guys gave me that opportunity, and you guys supported me all throughout this year.”
The award was well deserved for Beniers, who arrived in Seattle at the tail end of the Kraken’s inaugural season and made an immediate impact at the NHL level. After Michigan’s season ended in the semifinal of last season’s Frozen Four, dashing the star-studded team’s hopes of an NCAA championship, Beniers signed his entry-level contract with the Kraken.
He made his NHL debut in Calgary on Apr. 12 and registered an assist, then scored goals in each of his first two home games. In all, he had nine points in 10 games during that short, late-season stint. Those 10 games at the end of last season were not enough to preclude Beniers from eligibility for the 2022-23 Calder Trophy.
“A year and a couple months ago when he played the 10 games, it was pretty eye opening for everybody,” said coach Dave Hakstol, who was also in Nashville as a finalist for the Jack Adams Award for coach of the year. “He came in and just seamlessly made the transition to the NHL.”
We tried to manage expectations that Beniers, 20, could struggle in his first full pro season, a year in which he would play 94 total games at NHL speed between the regular season and playoffs. That’s a huge leap from 2021-22, in which Beniers played just 58 total games spread across Michigan, the World Junior Championship, the Olympics, and the NHL.
Yet, aside from an occasional dip in production, Beniers impressed all season long, and our “managing expectations” approach to covering him was quickly thrown out the window.
“You can’t make up, or you can’t create presence, and Matty’s got presence,” said Hakstol. “He’s got a ton of it. When he walks into a room, it’s not his physical stature, it’s the way he carries himself, it’s his demeanor, it’s his confidence, it’s his work ethic, it’s that whole package.”
In his first full season, Beniers played top-line minutes centering Jordan Eberle and Jared McCann for much of the campaign. He fit right in and consistently looked like a veteran NHL forward, rather than a rookie who had stepped in from the college ranks. In fact, there were stretches of the season in which he truly looked like Seattle’s best player.
The future is bright for Beniers, who is just scratching the surface of his NHL career.
Beating out his college teammate
Adding intrigue to the Calder race was Power being included as one of the finalists. Beniers and Power played together for two seasons at Michigan before both turning pro around the same time. Power was selected No. 1 overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, one spot ahead of Beniers.
“It’s pretty cool,” Beniers said Sunday. “If you told me a year ago that this would be the case, I’d probably say pinch me. It’s pretty cool that we’re both here and we’re both up for this award. He had an awesome year, so it’s just fun to be here and experience it.”
Bringing a very different skillset from that of Beniers, Power was a reliable player on Buffalo’s blue line and averaged nearly 24 minutes per night for the Sabres.
Power notched four goals and 31 assists in 2022-23. That wasn’t enough to overcome Beniers’s 57 points.
Darren Brown
Darren Brown is the Chief Content Officer at soundofhockey.com and the host of the Sound Of Hockey Podcast. He is a member of the PHWA and is also usually SOH’s Twitter intern (but please pretend you don’t know that). Follow him @DarrenFunBrown and @sound_hockey or email darren@soundofhockey.com.
Last week, we published the 2023 Sound Of Hockey Big Board. Give it a read. It compiles player information, statistics, and public draft rankings from reporters and scouting services for thousands of prospects in the 2022 NHL Draft.
Today, with the draft just days away, we return with a breakdown of prospects that caught our eye as potential targets for the Seattle Kraken, listed in Big Board order. I built the first draft of this list based on a review of the player’s NHL equivalency and Big Board analytics ranking relative to the player’s projected draft position. The analytics sources consulted included:
After this narrowed the field of potential candidates, I included a player in the final list only if there was also a scouting reason to believe in the player. A few of my own subjective perspectives influenced adding a few players on the margins. The players I like the most from a Big Board rank-to-value perspective are indicated with an asterisk. But, for the most part, I’ll save my thoughts for a mock draft planned for later in the week.
Using a similar approach to last year, I highlighted four players the Kraken ultimately drafted–Jani Nyman, David Goyette, Ty Nelson, and Tyson Jugnauth. I certainly would have written on Shane Wright and Jagger Firkus too, but I mistakenly assumed the Kraken would have no chance at getting either player with their first and second draft picks respectively. I’ve tried to be a little more flexible this year by including players a bit outside of Big Board range for the Kraken in case those players fall. That said, you still won’t see me digging into many high first-round prospects, for example.
Let’s dive in.
First-round prospects
Matty Beniers was a first-round pick of the Seattle Kraken in 2021 (Photo/Brian Liesse)
6. Zach Benson, LW, Winnipeg Ice, WHL
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 70 | WT: 159 | 43 G | 72 A | 75 GP
Benson is no. 6 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 11 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “What always stands out to me about Benson’s overall game is his incredible tenacity off the puck. He challenges opposing players with aggressive stick checks and body position. What makes that skill even more effective is how quickly he can force turnovers and immediately make a dangerous play off a pass or shot. His awareness is high end and he anticipates as well as any player in this draft.” – Chris Peters
Notes: Benson is a skilled winger with all of the tools to be a top line play driver in the NHL. There have been some rumblings that NHL teams are lower on him than the public lists and mock drafts due to his size. Bob McKenzie and Corey Pronman, two well-connected draft reporters, had Benson ranked well below his Big Board position. Chris Peters–a very good friend of the Sound Of Hockey Podcast–mocked Benson at pick no. 17. Even so, he is so skilled, particularly as a playmaker, that I view it as highly unlikely he falls into trade-up territory for Seattle.
10. David Reinbacher, RD, EHC Kloten, NL
RH | Age: 18 | HT: 74 | WT: 187 | 4 G | 20 A | 49 GP
Reinbacher is no. 9 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 5 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “His game rests on a projectable, rock solid defensive foundation. As opponents attack through the neutral zone, he gaps up early, builds speed going backward to match that of the puck carrier, takes away the middle of the ice with his stick, and closes with force once he’s registered support. Standing at 6-foot-2 and equipped with a skating stride that’s already a cut-above-average with room to get better – even when you’ve got Reinbacher beat in space, you don’t really.” – Elite Prospects Draft Guide
Notes: Again, this is a player almost certainly out of trade-up reach for Seattle at pick no. 20, but should he fall into range, his data profile is the best of any defender in the draft. He is a righty with good size and a strong season in a very good professional league. The floor seems very high on Reinbacher.
12. Matthew Wood, RW, University of Connecticut, NCAA
RH | Age: 18 | HT: 76 | WT: 197 | 11 G | 23 A | 35 GP
Perreault is no. 10 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 12 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: Matthew Wood, the youngest player in college hockey this year, . . . demonstrated his ability to control the game and effectively lead the team’s powerplay. His shooting technique is exceptional, often overpowering goalies with long-distance shots. Additionally, his passing abilities are solid, effortlessly executing no look passes. . . . While his skating may be slower compared to others, his strong hockey sense compensates by positioning himself appropriately at crucial moments.” – Tait Borst
Notes: Near point-per-game production at the NCAA level is similar to Matty Beniers’s draft season at the University of Michigan. He’s more physically mature but doesn’t boast the same well-rounded profile of the Kraken center. Wood’s power forward potential could appeal to the Kraken if he falls unexpectedly to no. 20.
14. Gabe Perreault, RW, USNTDP, USNTDP
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 71 | WT: 165 | 53 G | 79 A | 63 GP
Perreault is no. 7 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 7 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “There were times he flashed an amazing ability to one-touch pass and spring his linemates open, as well as he possesses a high level of skill to create passing lanes through sudden puck manipulation moves that darted by the defenders stick. However, when the pace of play picked up I found Perreault’s impact on the game began to diminish.” – Austin Garret
Notes: The production is undeniable. He broke Auston Matthews’s record for total points in a season for the U18 U.S. National Team Development Program. The question is whether he has the physical tools to translate that production to the professional level. I would place the bet. There was a time when it seemed like Perreault could slide into the bottom half of the first round, but now it seems like he will remain out of reach for the Kraken at no. 20.
19. Samuel Honzek, LW, Vancouver Giants, WHL
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 75 | WT: 195 | 24 G | 36 A | 47 GP
Honzek is no. 20 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 21 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s View: “Briefly derailed by injury, Honzek’s season was one that saw him consistently rise. Earlier in the year, he was generating a lot of buzz with his play as a 6-foot-3.5 forward who can drive the net and make plays in the hard areas of the ice. He doesn’t necessarily have any one stand out trait, but he does everything pretty well. You don’t have to worry about his work ethic on the ice and he absolutely battles against opposing defenders, giving them all they can handle.” – Chris Peters
Notes: He strikes me as a high-end athlete playing hockey more than a high-end hockey player, if that makes sense. But his athleticism is special. He turned in perhaps the best combine performance of any player. He has potentially dominant tools, but he hasn’t linked them up into truly excellent performance just yet. He may never be much of a playdriver but could thrive on the wing of a puck dominant center. Even if it seems like there is untapped potential with Honzek, his data supports a selection in the range of Seattle’s first pick. He’d also inject a bit more size into Seattle’s prospect pipeline.
21. Quentin Musty, LW, Sudbury Wolves, OHL*
LH | Age: 17 | HT: 73.5 | WT: 200 | 27 G | 55 A | 57 GP
Musty is no. 12 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 9 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “Musty has an excellent shot from range, distributes quite well off of the rush and does a great job of creating space for himself. His ability to create consistently at 5v5 is a credit to how well he handles pressure. Musty will take advantage of tight lanes when looking to thread the needle and will look to complete drop passes when hitting a wall.” – Josh Tessler
Notes: Musty would check a lot of boxes for the Kraken. His point production stacks up against past high draft picks from the OHL. He has the size, shot, and playmaking ability to thrive in the top half of an NHL lineup. He is also one of the youngest players in the draft. Some scouts faulted his engagement and defense, though others reported that these aspects of his game improved as his draft season progressed. His skating may be the biggest question mark, but his physical profile and skill creates an avenue to a bottom-six role in the NHL even if the skating doesn’t come around.
25. Andrew Cristall, LW, Kelowna Rockets, WHL*
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 69.5 | WT: 175 | 40 G | 56 A | 58 GP
Cristall is no. 8 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 10 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s View: “Andrew Cristall might be one of the most skilled puckhandlers in this draft class. He’s an absolute wizard with the puck, as he is able to put defenders on their asses. Cristall is able to set the pace of play with his hockey sense as he’s an excellent puck distributor too. He’s able to find open teammates and feed them an excellent tape to tape pass, to create high danger scoring chances. However, his Skating is an issue. He’s skating stride is pretty wonky, and he’s not the fastest guy out there, despite being 5’10.”” – Rayan Tubecc
Notes: Cristall is a tough one. He has true high-end hockey sense and puck skill, particularly in the offensive zone. But he is small, not particularly mobile, and doesn’t provide much in the way of defense. To draft him in the first round, a team will need to be confident the playmaking will translate. His data suggests he is worthy of the gamble. If a few higher-ranked players aren’t available for the Kraken in the late first round, Cristall is intriguing, but scouts suggest he needs to make progress with his skating to have any chance. If he hits, the reward could be huge because he is good at helping his team do the hardest thing in the sport: score.
26. Gavin Brindley, C, University of Michigan, NCAA
RH | Age: 18 | HT: 68 | WT: 168 | 12 G | 26 A | 41 GP
Brindley is no. 14 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 29 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “Brindley is a high-motor player who excels on the defensive side of the puck. He’s a tenacious forechecker and reliable in defensive zone coverage.” – Joey Padmanabhan
Notes: Brindley excelled at a higher level of competition by impacting the small areas of the game all over the ice. And, beyond that, his scoring production at the University of Michigan is not far off from what Matty Beniers produced. The question about Brindley is whether he can generate these results at the NHL level at his small stature without high-end foot speed. I like the player, but his profile has more questions than I would like for a first-round prospect.
27. Mikhail Gulyayev, LD, Omskie Yastreby, MHL
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 70 | WT: 170 | 4 G | 31 A | 39 GP
Gulyayev is no. 11 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 18 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “A dynamic skater with good puck skills and high-end passing ability, Gulyayev is one of the better puck movers in this draft. The fact he’s under 5-foot-11 and the Russian risk factor are going to come into consideration as to where he goes. . . . On skill, there’s enough of a dynamic element there to make him look like the undersized defensemen that find a role in the NHL, likely in the back half of an NHL rotation.” – Chris Peters
Notes: Gulyayev produced at nearly a point-per-game pace in the MHL. Across the board, scouts raved about his mobility, but he faces questions about his size. To a lesser extent there were also questions about his hockey sense, since it seemed he should be able to dominate his league more than he did with his physical skill set. There is also the uncertainty associated with being a Russian player. If he can survive the NHL game at his size, he may be a strong value for whoever selects him in the late first (or early second) round.
28. Riley Heidt, C, Prince George Cougars, WHL*
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 70.5 | WT: 180 | 27 G | 78 A | 77 GP
Heidt is no. 18 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 14 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “Riley Heidt is an extremely dynamic and exciting playmaker to watch. He’s an explosive skater with great agility and strong edges, being a factor in transition and in the offensive zone. He’s a remarkable puck distributor as he has the vision to find the passing lanes with ease and is very deceptive with the puck. He has an underrated shot and has the presence and mindset to always pressure defenders to force them into making a mistake, allowing him to pounce on the loose puck and create a counterattack. His work ethic shows every shift and is always making a difference.” – Peter Baracchini
Notes: The production was there at the junior level to be a mid-first-round pick. He is a very good playmaker and elite power-play producer. But Heidt isn’t imposing in stature, nor does he strike fear into his opponents with blazing outside speed, so there is some concern about whether he has necessary carrying skills. Some scouts doubt his ability to stay at center, but others see a physical player and a hard worker with a detailed game that could get the most out of his physical tools and stick there. Heidt strikes me as a strong fallback option for the Kraken in the first round if other preferred targets have been selected.
29. Bradly Nadeau, LW, Penticton Vees, BCHL*
RH | Age: 18 | HT: 70.25 | WT: 160 | 62 G | 86 A | 71 GP
Nadeau is no. 28 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 27 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “[Nadeau] has a top 5 shot in the class, good handling, improvable skating, a good motor, and high-end awareness at both ends of the ice, not to mention an improving playmaking game featuring frequent one-touch passes, or flashes of a high pace of play, or even his late birthday which gives him a long runway. I see a path for Nadeau to become a needle-moving top-six forward, but it will require patience and a proactive development staff.” – Sebastian High
Notes: Nadeau is an intriguing boom option for a team drafting in the late first round. He has everything a team could want in a wing scorer, including a shot that might trail only Connor Bedard for the finest in the class. Questions on his projection return to his lower level of competition in the BCHL and his decision to commit to the University of Maine, which has not turned out many successful NHL players recently. He is also a smaller player, checking in at only 160 pounds. But he tested well athletically at the combine, which may be an indicator he is a strong enough athlete to succeed at the NHL level at his size.
RH | Age: 18 | HT: 73 | WT: 194 | 15 G | 64 A | 74 GP
Dragicevic is no. 19 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 8 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “When it comes to offensive defensemen, he’s the cream of the crop. There simply aren’t any others who are as dangerous as he is from the offensive blueline onward. When he gets the puck on his stick opposing defenders often start to second guess themselves because there are so many different ways that they might get beat. Dragicevic possesses elusive footwork and slick hands . . . . It’s his off puck play that is by far the most concerning, though. He can get absolutely lost in his own end at times, and worse yet, will often completely shut off his effort engine, failing to play the body or get his stick in lanes at key times.” – McKeen’s Draft Guide
Notes: His offensive production from the blue line has been elite. Critiques of his game focus on his defense, particularly his rush defense, but he is relatively new to the position, and it strikes me he has a solid chance to improve there given his solid size and skating. My hesitation on targeting Dragicevic (or Gulyayev) in the first round relates back to positional value. High-end forwards are hard to find and typically deliver the most value in the game. Setting aside a few truly transcendent players, a team is capping its upside by drafting on defense in the first round. Add in the significant probability that Dragicevic settles in as a bottom-four guy and a bit of a defensive liability and I can see the arguments against using a first-round pick on the player. If better options are selected, or the Kraken trade back, I could see it. He is the (attainable) defenseman I like the most for Seattle. The offensive potential is significant.
Second-round prospects
Jagger Firkus was a second-round pick of the Seattle Kraken in 2022 (Photo/Brian Liesse)
36. Jaydon Perron, RW, Chicago Steel, USHL
RH | Age: 18 | HT: 69 | WT: 166 | 28 G | 50 A | 67 GP
Scout’s view: Perron is no. 30 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 37 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “Jayden Perron . . . displays great speed, patience and IQ with the puck, making moves at a quick pace to constantly fool opponents. He’s great at drawing them in to free up space and connect with teammates in the open ice. He needs to add more strength, but his upside and skillset is definitely there.” – Peter Baracchini
Notes: Another on a long list of undersized, scoring forwards at the top of this draft, Perron strikes me as perhaps a half step below Brindley, but a half step above Pinelli, Barkey, and others. The production was very good. If he slips into the mid-second round, the Kraken should have keen interest because his upside outstrips most forwards who could be available there (save perhaps for Koehn Ziemmer). But I don’t view him as a first-round option for Seattle.
44. Koehn Ziemmer, RW, Prince George Cougars, WHL*
RH | Age: 18 | HT: 72.25 | WT: 210 | 44 G | 52 A | 78 GP
Ziemmer is no. 22 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 28 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “Sniper’s release, small-area skill, off-puck instincts, and off-the-pass shooting – Ziemmer looks the part of an NHL goalscorer. He zips shots around defenders, pump-faking and toe-dragging to create that little extra space for the release. With perfect timing, he spins off checks and gets open for deflections, rebounds, and flashy in-tight moves. . . . [Ziemmer] will have a much smaller margin for error than his peers because of skating. His stride is wide, hunched, and generates little power. His edges suffer.” – Elite Prospects Draft Guide
Notes: As a high-end offensive talent, he is a prime target in the second round should he slide down the board a bit. There is a red flag in his profile–his skating–but some scouts think he could still make it to the NHL in a bottom-six and power play role with only moderate progress in that area.
47. Beau Akey, RD, Barrie Colts, OHL
RH | Age: 18 | HT: 72 | WT: 175 | 13 G | 39 A | 79 GP
Akey is no. 43 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 56 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “While not overly physical, which is something he needs to work on, Akey has become one of the most successful defenders in this draft in all areas of the ice. Starting defensively, Akey has a good defensive stick and awareness to position himself well and push players to the outside. He’s always aware of developing plays and boasts good defensive hockey sense. In transition, Akey has no problem skating through the neutral zone and taking it wide to get an entry, but he’s also made a lot of great stick to stick passes in high-pace situations for clean entries too.” – Gavin Chiasson
Notes: Akey has been praised as one of the best rush defenders in the class. Also successful in transitions to offense, with plus skating, he has strengths that match up well with the offensive game. His point production isn’t quite at the level of some other options on defense in this range, but his other strengths make him a viable option here, particularly given Seattle’s lack of depth at right defense.
49. Luca Cagnoni, LD, Portland Winterhawks, WHL*
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 69 | WT: 182 | 18 G | 53 A | 76 GP
Cagnoni is no. 23 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 22 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “Cagnoni is one of the top offensive talents on the blue line this year, and possesses multiple plus assets that you look for in a top offensive defenseman. Cagnoni is a very mobility and shifty skater, able to cut through the neutral zone with possession of the puck or jump into the attack from the offensive blue line with ease. He’s a field general at the top of the powerplay . . . with his ability to command the play in the offensive zone and find teammates with difficult passes. Cagnoni is also a very strong shooter, as he can get the puck through from the blue line or bury pucks from distance . . . .” – Brandon Holmes
Notes: Cagnoni could slide on draft day due to his size. At 5-foot-9, he will be off draft boards for some teams. On the other hand, scouts have indicated he is a legitimate defensive player at the junior level. Scouts said the same thing about the 5-foot-10 Ty Nelson last year before Seattle drafted Nelson at no. 68 in 2022. Seattle does not appear philosophically opposed to drafting smaller defensemen, but drafting Cagnoni would mean a significant investment in undersized blueliners in back-to-back drafts. I think it is a legitimate question whether you could have both Nelson and Cagnoni in the same defense corps long term. That said, I’m firmly in the camp of drafting the best player available. And if Cagnoni is still there for Seattle in the second round, particularly at no. 57, I would strongly support selecting him. His movement and puck skills are borderline high end.
52. Etienne Morin, LD, Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 72 | WT: 180 | 23 G | 66 A | 79 GP
Morin is no. 57 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 17 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “Morin in the offensive zone is fantastic. He has great deception on the blue line and creates passing lanes with the puck on his stick. He’s super offensive and operated as almost a fourth forward when he was on the ice in terms of creating offense. However, Morin trying to escape forechecking pressure or making a pass under the threat of being hit was cringeworthy. His gap control wasn’t great and didn’t separate players from the puck at the QMJHL level, which made me feel like he’d struggle to be a positive defensive player in the NHL.” – Austin Garret
Notes: The production was elite from the blue line, but, similar to evaluations of Ty Nelson last year, there is some “go it yourself” in his game that leaves scouts questioning whether his production will translate against tighter checking in the NHL. If he can make adjustments, he seems like a reasonable bet as a lower-pair offensive defenseman and power play quarterback. If he hits, his high-end upside might be similar to Vince Dunn with a bit less defense.
53. Alex Ciernik, LW, Södertälje SK, HockeyAllsvenskan
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 70.25 | WT: 174 | 3 G | 9 A | 28 GP
Ciernik is no. 35 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 59 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “[T]he multifaceted winger is most notable for his combination of straightaway and shifty speed, and stickhandling skills that make the most of rushing attacks. He clearly has a lot of confidence in his wrist shot, making heavy use of it. . . . Always happy to shoot while adept at setting up teammates, Ciernik is still trying to find a proper balance between the two, sometimes making poor decisions that lead to turnovers. Otherwise, it’s clear Ciernik understands that hitting and physicality are part of the game, and he has no problem engaging himself in that capacity.” – McKeen’s Draft Guide
Notes: Ciernik has NHL bloodlines (his father, Ivan, played 89 NHL games) and a solid track record of pre-draft production against higher competition in HockeyAllsvenskan. Scouts differ on how he’ll tolerate the physical game at the NHL level, noting much of his success so far has been speed-driven on larger international rinks. But if he can match NHL physicality, he should have a solid “backup” path to the NHL as a bottom-six speed and energy player, even if his skill game plateaus.
RH | Age: 18 | HT: 71.75 | WT: 190 | 6 G | 55 A | 77 GP
Brzustewicz is no. 44 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 30 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “The four way mobility (especially his edgework and lateral quickness) is excellent . . . . As a puck mover, Brzustewicz stands out because of his vision and decision making. Poised under pressure, he always seems to make the correct play with the puck on his stick. . . . I’m a little leary of the projection, but he passed the eye test almost every night in the second half showing great progression.” – Brock Otten
Notes: Scouts describe a well-rounded profile that was trending up toward the end of the 2022-23 season. Scouting critiques point to his underlying athleticism and engagement level, but his skating skill seems solid enough for him to project as solid in the transition game. While he may not have a dynamic element that makes a top-of-the-lineup projection likely, he checks a lot of boxes for Seattle both from a position (right defense) and value perspective in the mid-second round. He’s a player I’m watching closely for the Kraken at pick no. 50 or 52.
56. Lenni Hameenaho, RW, Ässät, Liiga*
RH | Age: 18 | HT: 73 | WT: 185 | 12 G | 13 A | 59 GP
Hameenaho is no. 54 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 24 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “[T]here’s no doubt about Hämeenaho’s best quality being his intelligence. He’s an extremely smart off-puck player at both ends of the rink. . . . His instincts around the net are simply unmatched in this year’s class of Finnish prospects. The same qualities also allow him to break up plays defensively, foreseeing the developing plays in advance and positioning himself accordingly. On the other side of the coin is Hämeenaho’s skating. It’s a problem with both the mechanics and the output. There’s a notable lack of ankle flexion and an ugly tilt at the hips, resulting in a hunched posture. Both the top speed and the acceleration are lacking.” – Elite Prospects Draft Guide
Notes: Hameenaho is routinely lauded for strong intelligence and hockey sense, making the right plays without the puck consistently. Otherwise he has a solid-but-not-superlative skill set across the board and is burdened by below-average skating. Several scouts suggest he’s close to being ready to take on a third-line role in the NHL right now, but doubt he has much more upside beyond that. While this is seemingly meant as a criticism, I don’t see it that way. If Hameenaho caps out as a third-line player, that is an excellent result for a second-round pick. His production at the highest level Finnish pro league at his age makes him a prime target in my NHLe calculation. At the very least he’d be a high-floor counterbalance against other high-upside picks if the Kraken selected him in the second round.
59. Kalan Lind, LW, Red Deer Rebels, WHL
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 72.5 | WT: 158 | 18 G | 31 A | 53 GP
Lind is no. 40 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 68 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “Despite average size, Lind plays with jump and edge. He’s a fierce competitor and there’s a real nastiness to his game . . . . The question will be if his offensive skillset is high-end enough to warrant a high pick. There’s no doubt his hard-nosed play and ability to get to the interior is going to win him some fans, but the upside projection is a bit more difficult given than Lind does not have natural high-end puck skills.” – Chris Peters
Notes: He is the brother of Kraken forward Kole Lind. Some scouts question his proper role, as he’s been used as a bottom-six center and as a top-six wing with mixed results. Regardless, as McKeen’s summarizes, he gets credit for “his speed, versatility, hockey sense, physicality and pest-like edge.” That last attribute will sound familiar to anyone who watched Kole at the AHL level these last two years.
60. Aydar Suniev, LW, Penticton Vees, BCHL
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 73.5 | WT: 192 | 54 G | 59 A | 65 GP
Suniev is no. 29 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 58 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “One of the craftiest playmakers in the entire draft, Suniev is a physical monster, operating at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds. . . . [He is] able to layer a puck through even the thickest of coverages . . . . He wasn’t a one-dimensional playmaker, though. A proactive processor, Suniev always has the next pass option hardwired in his brain before he even collects the puck. . . . Suniev’s chest-to-ground stride is the biggest caveat of his entire game. The stride is so prohibitive that it turns a player who honestly has first-round quality tools into a later option in the draft. Will he be able to use all the protection and little adaptations to beat professionals without improving his mechanics? It’s a valid question.” – Elite Prospects Draft Guide
Notes: His skating seems like an almost disqualifying red flag, and I omitted him on an initial draft of this list, but his offensive package of skills gets strong enough reviews, despite the projection from a lower level of competition, that he may be a worthy gamble at the end of the second round, depending on the other options available.
61. Luca Pinelli, C, Ottawa 67’s, OHL
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 68.75 | WT: 167 | 36 G | 45 A | 78 GP
Pinelli is no. 46 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 45 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “Despite his 5-foot-9, 167-pound frame, Luca Pinelli shows no fear in his game as he’s always competing and going into the hard areas to battle for the puck. He’s always engaging for possession and digging for loose pucks and when he gets a hold of it, he’s always driving hard to the middle of the ice. He has a great shot and is a smart and crisp playmaker as he’s always creating plays and generating chances. ” – Peter Baracchini
Notes: According to scouts, Pinelli brings a plus shot and a relentless attitude hunting the puck and getting into scoring positions. Each attribute provides him an avenue to an NHL role, even if his size is well below standard and his skating is just passable.
64. Roman Kantserov, RW, Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk, MHL
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 69 | WT: 176 | 28 G | 29 A | 48 GP
Kantserov is no. 34 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 40 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “Kantserov is a creative winger that excels in a playmaking role. He has a knack for dishing the puck out and creating opportunities for his teammates. His vision stands out in every game, making cross-ice passes and feeding the slot with regularity. While he’s not a powerful, overly fast skater, he is extremely light on his feet, dancing around opponents and showing off quick cuts to create space. He’s a good puckhandler as well, navigating traffic, and protecting the puck well from attackers.” – McKeen’s Draft Guide
Notes: One of a half-dozen middle-round options out of Russia who will likely be pushed down the board more so than their data justifies. The Kraken haven’t gone into this pool of prospects yet, particularly since the war in Ukraine began, but have also said Russian players aren’t off their board necessarily. It will be interesting to see if the Kraken take the plunge this year.
66. Denver Barkey, C, London Knights, OHL
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 68 | WT: 174 | 33 G | 50 A | 81 GP
Barkey is no. 51 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 53 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “Barkey is an incredibly fun player to watch. He has a constantly running motor as he plays a quick, high-tempo game every night. He is a strong slayer with above-average speed and edgework, making him a shifty forward. Barkey has also shown he can be a reliable two-way centerman through his retrievals, active stick, and neutral zone defence. However, like most scouts, I see him as a winger at the next level. Barkey’s size is obviously going to raise a red flag. However, with his skill set, I do not see it being as big of an issue as it is for some other undersized players. It does affect his stride with shorter extensions, but he has shown the ability to work around that and still be an effective skater.” – Curtis Rines
Notes: He was a linemate of Ryan Winterton in London this season. Reading Barkey’s scouting reports alone is a joy. He’s reported to play with a non-stop motor that probably would resonate with a fanbase used to rooting for Yanni Gourde. Compared with Pinelli, another smaller OHL forward ranked in this range, most scouts give Pinelli the edge in offensive skill and Barkey the edge in skating. He seems like he might have a narrower road to the NHL unless his offensive game takes a step forward, but I’ll be watching.
68. Coulson Pitre, RW, Flint Firebirds, OHL
RH | Age: 18 | HT: 72.75 | WT: 170 | 27 G | 38 A | 65 GP
Pitre is no. 41 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 54 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “Looking for a wrecking ball? Pitre hits everything, fights for body positioning with every limb, and never gives up on a play. How about a finisher? He’s always in the right place at the right time, able to capitalize with a wrister that blends the pass reception, toe drag around the defender, and release in one smooth motion. What about a down low playmaker? That’s Pitre, who uses those physical skills to possession before sliding a backhand pass to the slot.
“Pitre also brings defensive value with his endless energy and aggression, as well as some transition skills through his place-and- chase game, handling skills, and flashes of deception.
“The other side is that while Pitre is well rounded, he might not have that one special dimension. His passes are inaccurate and often reactionary. An upright stance limits just about everything, from his agility to puck protection. Without improving the skating, there’s a chance his physical game will be rendered ineffective in the NHL.” – Elite Prospects Draft Guide
Notes: Scouts remark on a power forward game paired with strong skating skill and seem to call for patience on the production, but his draft season justifies a pick in the back half of the second round based on my NHLe calculation, and other data analysts have him even higher. Scouts hint at a ceiling on his upside, but he has a range of tools that could open paths to a variety of NHL roles, including as a bottom-line grinder if his other skills don’t continue to develop. This sounds like a worthwhile bet in the second or third round.
70. Andrew Strathmann, LD, Youngstown Phantoms, USHL
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 70.75 | WT: 185 | 6 G | 39 A | 65 GP
Strathmann is no. 64 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 51 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “Andrew Strathmann is a lanky, quick-moving defenseman that loves joining the rush. He has strong puck-handling and vision, and a knack for risky plays, making him an exciting piece of any offensive play. He’s helped along on defense by a decent reach, although that aspect of his game is noticeably weaker. If he can boost it up, his exciting playmaking ability could provide a unique pro ceiling.” – Gabe Foley
Notes: Scouts noted a wide variety of skills in Strathmann, but not the desired level of consistency. His scouting reports were a bit frustrating to read, noting high-end skill in some areas, perhaps near the top of the North American class in some respects, but also poor decision making and play that put his team on the backfoot. It reminded me a bit of my feelings about Vince Dunn’s game in 2021-22. Of course, if Strathmann becomes the 2021-22 version of Vince Dunn, it’s a home run pick in the late second (or third) round.
71. Jacob Fowler, G, Youngstown Phantoms, USHL
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 74 | WT: 201 | .927 save % | 49 GP
Fowler is no. 136 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 36 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “Fowler does an excellent job of widening his stance in the crouch when facing a threat in high danger. He’s also quick with his pads and can slam the door shut in the butterfly by shifting over with his pads. While he does do a good job of widening himself and quickly reseting in butterfly position, I’d like to see him work on extending his glove to take away space top shelf.” – Josh Tessler
Notes: The goaltender position, perhaps more than any other, is a long-term projection game. As a general rule, goalies have a slower developmental road–with many more potholes along the way–than skaters. Studies suggest that drafting a goalie high tends to be a poor investment, whereas drafting a goalie in the middle or late rounds may be a good idea relative to the skaters that remain available. I haven’t gotten a sense of the Kraken approach to identifying and evaluating goaltenders yet, other than to note generally that (1) the team has drafted one in each of its first two drafts and (2) the team’s Finnish scout was a goaltender and likely had a hand in identifying Niklas Kokko (which is looking like a good pick so far). Fowler’s data is good, particularly in my NHLe calculation. He stopped pucks, but some scouts didn’t see a big or athletic player likely to excel. I’m inclined to think the Kraken may lean towards the international goalie pool (more on that below), but Fowler is my favorite of the North American options.
Middle round prospects
Ty Nelson was a third-round pick of the Seattle Kraken in 2022 (Photo/Brian Liesse)
73. Noah Dower Nilsson, LW, Frölunda HC J20, J20 Nationell
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 71.75 | WT: 185 | 26 G | 30 A | 39 GP
Dower Nilsson is no. 55 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 61 in our NHLe calculation.
77. Quinton Burns, LD, Kingston Frontenacs, OHL
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 73 | WT: 179 | 2 G | 27 A | 54 GP
Burns is no. 54 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 80 in our NHLe calculation.
78. Alexander Rykov, RW, Chelmet Chelyabinsk, VHL*
LH | Age: 17 | HT: 71 | WT: 170 | 4 G | 7 A | 20 GP
Rykov is no. 47 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 44 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “Rykov is a coach’s player. He plays with high intensity, he plays a very intelligent game, and he brings a strong, two-way presence. He plays a very calm, mature game that may not jump off the ice and certainly won’t jump off the scoresheet, but he’s a player you want to have on the ice with the game on the line. He’s tenacious in his puck pursuit, utilizing his stick to force turnovers. He’s not going to try anything fancy, so you can rely on him to make simple, smart choices when the puck is on his stick.” – McKeen’s Draft Guide
Notes: His point production alone is worthy of a selection in the top two rounds, but it is clear Rykov is more than that. Scouts credit a strong, simple two-way game. As a Russian player he may slip into the middle rounds, which would make him an intriguing value proposition.
80. Tristan Bertucci, LD, Flint Firebirds, OHL*
LH | Age: 17 | HT: 74 | WT: 179 | 12 G | 43 A | 70 GP
Bertucci is no. 37 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 19 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “Bertucci’s a lockdown defender with a budding transition game. He gets on his check early, matches opponents’ footwork along the boards, and ties up sticks around the net. Physicality and pace kills plays across the rink, and make him a formidable 1-on-1 defender.
“With the puck, Bertucci’s primarily a shooter. He generates offence through point shots for deflections and rebounds with points shots . . . . On breakouts, he shows more advanced skills, like deception, weaving routes, and clever passes through opponents. Bertucci’s limited by his inability to manage pressure at this stage, as Elite Prospects Dir. of North American scouting Mitch Brown explains: ‘With pressure, he makes blind passes, rims pucks to no one, flings them out with passing options. And he struggles to keep positioning on retrievals. Right now, he struggles to get space – and he needs space to be effective.’” – Elite Prospects Draft Guide
Notes: One of the players I’ll be watching closely for the Kraken, his data supports a selection in the top two rounds. Add to that quality size, young age, and on-ice performance that was trending up toward the end of the season, and there is a lot to recommend selecting Bertucci, even if it needs to be at pick no. 57. Critiques of Bertucci often returned to his performance with the puck under pressure, but some noted improvements as the season moved along.
McCarthy is no. 77 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 49 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “The right-handed defender seems to have all the tools in place to become a steady, regular NHLer. He’s solid in his own end, going down to his positioning (most of the time), his active stick, and his impressive four-way mobility. His skating especially stands out as a trait that should carry over extremely well to the next levels. There are times when he can puck chase, but it’s important to note his age here. He has a great deal of development time left. He also brings an excellent level of physicality, not afraid to mix it up with anyone. At 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, he already has a good frame but should continue to bulk up and be even better in this area.” – McKeen’s Draft Guide
Notes: Another defenseman that is high on my list for Seattle (along with Bertucci), he checks the box of being right handed (which is an area of limited depth for Seattle). His data more than justifies his draft position, and scouts saw an emerging physical defenseman with a quality defensive game. Going to college in the fall, he will have plenty of time to develop.
91. Aiden Fink, RW, Brooks Bandits, AJHL
RH | Age: 18 | HT: 69 | WT: 152 | 49 G | 61 A | 69 GP
Fink is no. 83 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 176 in our NHLe calculation.
99. Connor Levis, RW, Kamloops Blazers, WHL
RH | Age: 18 | HT: 74 | WT: 194 | 28 G | 45 A | 82 GP
Levis is no. 66 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 77 in our NHLe calculation.
106. Tanner Ludtke, C, Lincoln Stars, USHL*
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 72 | WT: 185 | 37 G | 36 A | 66 GP
Ludtke is no. 72 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 38 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “The 6’0 forward can look a bit awkward in his skating mechanics and his pace of play is a question mark. . . . He’s very involved as a one-touch puck transporter, is one of the top shot generators in the USHL in my data set, and has enough skill that his pace doesn’t hinder him from making plays. The University of Nebraska-Omaha [where Lutdke is committed for 2023-24] . . . hasn’t produced much in terms of NHL talent recently, but I have a hard time not advocating for him to be on this list given his productivity both in counting and micro stats. – Austin Garret
Notes: The scouting reports paint the picture of an unfinished and uncertain product, but the point production, with size to match it, from the center position is hard to ignore in the middle rounds of the draft.
113. Yegor Sidorov, RW, Saskatoon Blades, WHL
LH | Age: 19 | HT: 72 | WT: 176 | 49 G | 46 A | 69 GP
Sidorov is no. 164 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 94 in our NHLe calculation.
116. Yegor Rimashevsky, RW, MHK Dynamo Moskva, MHL
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 75 | WT: 198 | 13 G | 14 A | 36 GP
Rimashevsky is no. 86 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 100 in our NHLe calculation.
118. Matthew Soto, RW, Kingston Frontenacs, OHL
RH | Age: 17 | HT: 71 | WT: 168 | 15 G | 27 A | 54 GP
Soto is no. 90 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 76 in our NHLe calculation.
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 75 | WT: 209 | 11 G | 26 A | 54 GP
Karpovich is no. 79 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 46 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “He’s a big 6-foot-3, 210-pound blueliner that shined with Avto in the MHL this year. He has produced points everywhere he has gone, and he might even be one of the better skaters above 6-foot-2.” – Sean Ellis
Notes: The offensive tools and size-speed combination seem to be there for Karpovich, but some scouts question his ability to link those skills up with playable hockey sense. The point production at his size is intriguing in the later rounds though.
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 69 | WT: 159 | 20 G | 32 A | 41 GP
Klimovich is no. 56 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 23 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “He plays bigger than he is; his feet are quick, but he’s not the fastest guy in the world, and he often relies on strength and puck protection mechanics to navigate around pressure, which works at the junior level, but won’t be so easy against better competition. But he’s bursting with offensive creativity and skill . . . . There’s much risk of his game not translating, for sure, but I can also easily see a world where he’s looked at as a massive steal in a few years.” – Gray Matter
Notes: The point production indicates a top draft pick and scouts report he plays with quality pace, even if he doesn’t have truly high end speed as is desired for a smaller player. Some scouts noted his easy scoring context in the least competitive division of the MHL and questioned whether his game will translate. The high end production makes him a worthwhile gamble in the middle of the draft.
132. Juha Jatkola, G, KalPa, Liiga*
LH | Age: 20 | HT: 73 | WT: 176 | .905 save % | 43 GP
Jatkola is no. 180 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 32 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “He lacks the massive frame that a lot of scouts look for, but makes up for that with an intelligent, aggressive approach to facing shooters. . . . He understands the importance of staying in the frame and reserves his bold movements for opportunities when he can force shooters into making mistakes. Playing in a professional league for an extended period of time for the first time in his career seems to have paid off dividends for his situational awareness. . . .
Strong skating ability in regards to both his strength and edgework are also key components to Jatkola’s game.” – Elite Prospects Draft Guide
Notes: Jatkola is my favorite goalie for the Kraken in this draft for two reasons. First, he is Finnish, which may dovetail with the team’s goalie expertise in its scouting ranks. Second, Jatkola showed that he could perform as an above average regular at a high professional level (Liiga). Junior goalies are years away from reaching that stage. So, theoretically, Jatkola should carry less uncertainty and a shorter development path. Still, he’d likely be a year-or-two away from coming to North America.
Late round prospects
Jacob Melanson was a fifth-round pick of the Seattle Kraken in 2021 (Photo/Brian Liesse)
133. Mazden Leslie, D, Vancouver Giants, WHL*
RH | Age: 18 | HT: 73 | WT: 181 | 12 G | 40 A | 70 GP
Leslie is no. 61 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 31 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “He’s [an] offensive minded [defenseman] with good shooting instincts and solid tape to tape passer. He’s got the potential to be a PP QB in the NHL, however his defensive game is a weak point. He’s very passive in the defensive zone, and when pressured, makes some ill-advised decisions with the puck.” – Rayan Tubeec
Notes: The point production paints the picture of a pick in the top two rounds, but the hockey sense and defensive play leave a lot to be desired, according to scouts. He’s a worthy mid-to-late round gamble if he remains available, particularly since he brings solid size and a right handed shot to pair with his junior production.
137. Tanner Adams, RW, Tri-City Storm, USHL
RH | Age: 17 | HT: 71 | WT: 183 | 13 G | 25 A | 53 GP
Adams is no. 111 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 92 in our NHLe calculation.
138. Cam Squires, RW, Cape Breton Eagles, QMJHL
RH | Age: 18 | HT: 72 | WT: 161 | 30 G | 40 A | 71 GP
Squires is no. 109 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 90 in our NHLe calculation.
147. Rodwin Dionicio, LD, Niagara IceDogs, OHL
LH | Age: 19 | HT: 74 | WT: 205 | 16 G | 35 A | 52 GP
Dionicio is no. 286 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 81 in our NHLe calculation.
158. Cole Brown, LW, Hamilton Bulldogs, OHL
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 75 | WT: 170 | 19 G | 26 A | 66 GP
Brown is no. 132 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 111 in our NHLe calculation.
159. Angus MacDonell, C, Sarnia Sting, OHL
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 70 | WT: 172 | 32 G | 14 A | 70 GP
Brown is no. 118 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 146 in our NHLe calculation.
161. Jimmy Clark, LW, Green Bay Gamblers, USHL
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 72 | WT: 179 | 19 G | 29 A | 64 GP
Clark is no. 123 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 132 in our NHLe calculation.
168. Tommaso De Luca, C, Spokane Chiefs, WHL
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 72 | WT: 172 | 16 G | 33 A | 65 GP
De Luca is no. 117 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 125 in our NHLe calculation.
169. Kalem Parker, RD, Victoria Royals, WHL
RH | Age: 18 | HT: 72 | WT: 187 | 6 G | 32 A | 68 GP
Parker is no. 122 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 105 in our NHLe calculation.
171. Thomas Milic, G, Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL
LH | Age: 20 | HT: 72 | WT: 174 | .930 save % | 52 GP
Milic is no. 396 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 233 in our NHLe calculation.
Notes: Will this happen with the Kraken? Probably not. But I’m rooting for him.
173. Ryan Conmy, RW, Sioux City Musketeers, USHL*
RH | Age: 18 | HT: 70 | WT: 185 | 34 G | 30 A | 62 GP
Conmy is no. 49 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 63 in our NHLe calculation.
Scout’s view: “Conmy’s a precision shooter, crafty playmaker, and inside lane attacker. Give him any gap, however small, and he instantly cuts inside, slipping around opponents as necessary. He enters every board battle with a couple of shoulder checks to plot his escape. If he can’t handle through traffic, he connects with a backhand or slip pass through opponents.
When Conmy’s not on the puck, he’s getting open and creating space. He dips behind defenders and sneaks around traffic to pop into space as the shot comes. With well-timed dashes to the net, he creates space behind him. And he gobbles up every loose puck with a two-metre radius, cementing his 200-foot player status.” – Elite Prospects Draft Guide
Notes: Perhaps my favorite sleeper draft prospect in this class, his data profile resembles a top pick, and the scouts seem generally complimentary of his play. Critiques focus on his skating mechanics and overall speed, but similar things can be said of prospects ranked much higher.
174. Nikita Nedopyokin, C, SKA-1946 St. Petersburg
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 70 | WT: 187 | 17 G | 22 A | 47 GP
Nedopyokin is no. 80 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 84 in our NHLe calculation.
176. Ty Higgins, RD, Acadie-Bathurst Titan, QMJHL
RH | Age: 18 | HT: 72 | WT: 187 | 13 G | 28 A | 68 GP
Higgins is no. 127 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 164 in our NHLe calculation.
180. Ivan Anoshko, C, Dinamo-Shinnik Bobruysk, MHL*
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 70 | WT: 168 | 21 G | 33 A | 55 GP
Anoshko is no. 74 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 69 in our NHLe calculation.
181. Hudson Thornton, LD, Prince George Cougars, WHL
LH | Age: 19 | HT: 71 | WT: 181 | 25 G | 54 A | 78 GP
Thornton is no. 313 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 119 in our NHLe calculation.
183. Vadim Moroz, RW, Dinamo Minsk, KHL*
RH | Age: 19 | HT: 74 | WT: 185 | 5 G | 9 A | 39 GP
Moroz is no. 144 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 42 in our NHLe calculation.
184. Konstantin Volochko, RD, Dinamo-Shinnik Bobruysk, MHL
RH | Age: 18 | HT: 72 | WT: 170 | 8 G | 13 A | 48 GP
Volochko is no. 116 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 139 in our NHLe calculation.
193. Oliver Tulk, C, Calgary Hitmen, WHL
RH | Age: 18 | HT: 68 | WT: 172 | 25 G | 38 A | 73 GP
Tulk is no. 95 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 98 in our NHLe calculation.
195. Artyom Kashtanov, C, Avto Yekaterinburg, MHL
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 78 | WT: 190 | 16 G | 28 A | 49 GP
Kashtanov is no. 94 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 60 in our NHLe calculation.
LH | Age: 18 | HT: 71 | WT: 183 | 16 G | 22 A | 51 GP
Ladutko is no. 100 in our overall analytics ranking. He is no. 120 in our NHLe calculation.
Next up: projecting the 2023 NHL Entry Draft
The NHL Draft is upon us, beginning Wednesday, June 28, at 4:00 pm PT. Between now and then we will return with even more draft content. John Barr will be supplying you with his expectations for the draft and I’ll be delivering a seven round Kraken mock draft. In the meantime, who are you looking for in the draft? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter at @sound_hockey and @deepseahockey.
The doors of the Sno-King Ice Arena in Snoqualmie, Wash., opened on June 17 and 18 as players warmed up to get involved in the 2023 Seattle Puckathon event. The event consisted of a series of eight teams playing against each other to help raise money to give younger generations a way to live and enjoy the sport, worry-free. All funds raised will go to The One Roof Foundation’s programs that help support underrepresented youth and get them involved with hockey.
Tournament director David Mosbach organized the event himself. According to Mosbach, the event ran about 16 hours, including games, ice cuts, and warmup times.
“I love hockey, and it’s given me a lot in my life, my friends, my health, my mental health,” Mosbach said. “I figured the best thing I could do was organize a tournament for charity.”
According to Mosbach, he was introduced to the One Roof Foundation by Sound Of Hockey‘s own John Barr. Barr was the team organizer for Team Sound Of Hockey in the event. He is also a member of the One Roof Foundation’s board.
“Getting access to hockey for kids is a challenge,” Barr said. “I love hockey, and it’s given me a lot of return and joy in my life.” Team Sound Of Hockey played seven periods in the event.
“I think it’s a great opportunity and a great event, and we can make it bigger and better,” Barr said. “It’s a good time for a good cause.”
Overall, the game slot was for two hours and had a total of 18 players between both teams. Jordan Fitzgibbon was one of the players also involved in the charity event on Barr’s team.
“I hope it gives other people some other outlet or something interesting to do and makes everyone feel welcome to play hockey,” Fitzgibbon said. “Thanks David for organizing the event, it’s been a lot of fun so far.”
The One Roof Foundation is helping the community in more ways than one. Jas Baziuk, the program manager for social impact operations for the Seattle Kraken, attended the event.
“It’s been really different and really fun,” Baziuk said. “A lot of the work that we’ve been doing so far has been towards people who maybe didn’t know what hockey was. It’s a big part of what One Roof does, is introducing kids and even adults to hockey for the first time.”
This year’s Seattle Puckathon was the first such event organized in conjunction with One Roof, according to Baziuk, but there is a chance for more opportunities to come up in the future.
“Ultimately I’d like to see the participation double in 10 years… it would require more ice and it would require more families participating, but I think there’s an opportunity there,” Barr said. “I didn’t grow up with hockey, and I fell in love with it as an adult. I’m hoping other people have the opportunity to fall in love with it.”
With the Seattle Kraken now in the National Hockey League for two full seasons, there have been a lot of new and old hockey fans joining together to see where the team will go next. The One Roof Foundation, started by the Seattle Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena, has a goal to ensure all people in the region have a roof over their heads, the ability to enjoy hockey, and fresh air to breathe.
“We’re also working on youth homeless work and environmental justice work and just making everybody in the area feel like they’re a part of our family and have access to the things that everybody else has access to,” Baziuk said. “We’re just trying to be a home for everyone.”
As of the time of writing, the Seattle Puckathon 2023 has raised $11,688.53. Their fundraiser website can be found here.
Late last week, USA Hockey released its annual player membership report that breaks down total memberships by state and age group. Over the years, I’ve used this report as a barometer to check on the overall growth or decline of hockey participation across the United States. Let’s break down the numbers.
Nationwide USA Hockey player memberships
Overall player memberships were up a modest 1.6 percent season over season, adding over 17,000 registered players during the 2022-23 hockey season compared to 2021-22. It is a positive sign that there was an increase season over season, but overall memberships have not fully recovered to pre-pandemic numbers.
Where hockey is growing
As we dig into the numbers a bit deeper, we can see that Colorado is the only state that saw double-digit percentage growth season over season. This is generally expected considering the Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in June, 2022. Playoff success tends to create an influx of hockey memberships in the following season.
What is also fascinating is that Nevada had the largest decline season over season, down 7 percent from 2021-22. This is probably in part due to the Vegas Golden Knights’ failure to make the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in franchise history. We should expect a significant increase of memberships during the 2023-24 season in that market after the Golden Knights were crowned the Stanley Cup champions of 2023.
It should also be noted that the success of NHL teams is not the only way states see increases or decreases in their USA Hockey player memberships. Other factors may include the number of hockey facilities opening or closing, plus and the leadership and marketing capabilities of youth hockey organizations that can really drive growth or decline in player memberships.
If you look at the growth and decline by age group, you can see the seven-to-eight-year-old category had the largest increase season over season, but six and under saw the largest decline.
Female hockey continues to outpace overall memberships
Looking specifically at the female category, we see that the growth across female USA Hockey memberships is up almost 4 percent season over season. Over the last 10 years, female hockey has tended to be the most consistent contributor in the overall growth of USA Hockey memberships. Female hockey memberships represent about 16 percent of all USA Hockey player memberships per season.
When evaluating the female category by age group, all but the six-and-under age group saw substantial growth season over season.
Washington State USA Hockey members
As illustrated above, we saw that Washington state had the 16th-highest increase season over season from a percentage standpoint, but when we look at it by volume, we see Washington state had the eighth-highest growth with 473 additional hockey players enrolled in 2022-23.
Except for the pandemic season of 2020-21, Washington state’s player membership growth has remained consistent over the last 10+ seasons.
In terms of percentages, you can see growth up and down the age categories, but the largest volume growth was from the adult category. This also happens to be the biggest number of registrants.
Overall, the growth of USA Hockey memberships in Washington state is good news, but it is a bit underwhelming considering the Seattle Kraken are in just their second season in the state. As we have seen in other states, we should expect another growth spurt next season due to the success of the Kraken’s 2022-23 NHL season and playoff run.
Interactive dashboard
If you’d like to look at a state-by-state breakdown of the USA Hockey memberships, I’ve created an interactive dashboard where you can drill down by state. If you have any problems or have any questions, please let me know.
If you have questions, thoughts, or theories on the USA Hockey memberships, please leave them in the comment section.
