The Seattle Kraken had a surprising season, finishing 4th in their Division with a 46-28-8 record. Good enough for their first playoff berth in only their second year of existence. It was a year that saw their Coach get nominated for the Jack Edwards Award, and their first-ever draft pick won the Calder Memorial Trophy. We also saw their AHL affiliate, the upstart Coachella Valley Firebirds, go to a game 7 in the Memorial Cup in their inaugural season. There is a lot to like about the future of Kraken hockey. But for all the success this season, on multiple levels of the organization, this is still a team going into only its third year. Now with a full-fledged AHL team, staff, and facilities for development in place, what can we expect going into the upcoming draft?
Where Do The Kraken Stand Going Into The Draft
Expansion teams are built on players exposed during an expansion draft. Both the Golden Knights and the Kraken have disproved the long-standing narrative that they are castaways, but the fact remains the same. A lot of the current team is made up of older players, middle-of-the-lineup guys with expiring contracts. The Kraken currently has 10 UFAs and 8 RFAs going into the off-season. While some of these players are surefire re-signs, there are only a few, like the RFAs Defenseman Vince Dunn or Firebird Goalie Joey Daccord. The amount of cap space they can shed gives them much flexibility in the off-season. I would not count them out to make some Draft Day trades and shake some things up.
They also have a lot of draft capital, owners of 10 picks spanning all seven rounds. In the 1st round, they have the 20th overall. In the 2nd round, they have picks 50 (Winnipeg), 52, and 57 (Toronto). One pick in each round, three through five (84, 116, 148), another two in the 6th round (168, 180), and the 212 overall pick in the 7th. And by all accounts, this is the year you would want a few extra picks.
A Generation Draft
Look, we’ve all heard the buzz going on at the top of the draft board going into this week. Is Connor Bedard the next great one? Is Anaheim going to pick Adam Fantilli or Leo Carlsson? Do the Blue Jackets pick whatever player Anaheim leaves them? How far does Matvei Michkov fall? While all of that is very interesting, equally interesting is that this draft is supposed to be one of, if not the best, draft classes since the legendary 2003 draft. In a little bit of serendipity, that 2003 draft was exactly 20 years ago and also hosted by the Nashville Predators. Though it’s debated, it’s believed that there are at least five players at the top that could go 1st overall in any other draft, players that most years would be 1st round talents slipping into the 2nd round. With all the hype going to Wednesday, here are five players I’ve got my eye on.
Players To Watch
1. Oliver Bonk, Defenseman, London Knights (OHL)
The Kraken have proved they have depth scoring. Where they could improve the most is Goaltending Defense. That is where Oliver Bonk comes in. One of the few defensemen in this class expected to go in the first round; he is mobile and offensively skilled but still defensively responsible. While not huge for a Defenseman, sitting at 6’1″ and 176lbs, he still plays a physical game. Where he shines, though, is his ability to battle and get out of his own zone quickly, whether by a quick pass or excellent skating. The Kraken defense corp could use well rounded, mobile defenseman.
2. Dmitri Simashev, Defenseman, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)
Keeping with the Defenseman, Dmitri Simashev is a defensive monster at 6’4″ and 201lbs. Arguably the best Defensive Defenseman in his class, he is a big body with a great hockey IQ. He doesn’t get pushed around in the defensive zone and rarely makes a bad first pass. Where there is some debate is his offensive side – the consensus on him seems to be his offensive ability is questionable. But with the depth scoring the Kraken currently have, a big stay-at-home Defenseman who has sharpened his skills playing with grown men in the KHL might be a great fit.
3. Gavin Brindley, Center, University Of Michigan (NCAA)
One of the best Centers in the draft, not named Bedard, Fantilli, or Carlsson, Gavin Brindley is a relatively small 5’9″ and 157 lbs, but defensively sound Center. Playing his draft-eligible year in the NCAA, Brindley has shined in an environment where he played against grown men. With one of the highest jumps up the draft rankings from mid-season to the end of the year, he has proven himself to be a high-motor player, rarely slowing down, aggressive on the forecheck, and still defensively sound with a knack for blocking shots. On a team like the Kraken, with plenty of depth forward scoring potential, a smaller, aggressive but defensively-minded Center would fit nicely.
4. Noel Nordh, Left Wing, Brynas IF JR20 (SHL)
The big and powerful Left Wing is an interesting case. He is big for a Winger, sitting at 6’2″ and 194 lbs. He is a powerful skater with good hands and above-average hockey sense. Where he falls down some draft rankings is despite his size and skillset, he is largely unproven, struggling to stay up with the big club in the SHL. However, he thrived in opportunities against his own age group in international play with Team Sweden. The question is whether or not he can develop the offensive upside he has shown in international play into a consistent presence in the NHL. The Kraken are in a unique position to take a chance and wait to see if he can develop and take that step.
5. Ethan Gauthier, Right Wing, Sherbrooke Pheonix (QMJHL)
I’m not going to lie, I love the kind of player Ethan Gauthier is. At 5’11” and 176 lbs, he isn’t the biggest body, but he is aggressive and very hard to play against. A rare combination of grit and aggressiveness, but with soft hands and a lot of puck skills. He can be relentless in hounding the puck on the forecheck, play in all the dirty areas, and then score an absolutely gorgeous goal or set up the perfect passing play. Defensively he is no slouch either, utilizing all the same skills; he has a relentless backcheck and uses his smarts and patience to make the right play to get out of his own zone. The Kraken could definitely use a player in his ilk – someone that isn’t going to be pushed around, be defensively responsible, but can play around the other team’s defense and set up great plays.
