Free Advice #3: Draft Expert Targets Russian D-man In 1st Round

The Seattle Kraken could be really, really good - in 2025-26, 2026-27, and 2027-28.

Paradoxically, it's one of the same reasons they weren't any good this season: organizational depth.

By definition, expansion franchises cannot have organizational depth. And it can't be built overnight. There's a reason executives in hockey, baseball and to a lesser extent basketball legitimately talk about "five year plans." Usually, they have to restock a barren farm system.

The Kraken needed to stock a non-existent farm system.

Seattle, especially key forwards, didn't enjoy the unusually good health which allowed them to "win by committee" in 2022-23. Brandon Tanev (66 games played), Jaden Schwartz (62 games), and Andre Burakovsky (49 games) all missed significant time.

The nine forwards called up from AHL Coachella Valley at different points during the season  played a combined 50 Kraken games, scoring five goals. Four of those were by Shane Wright in a late-season scoring spree.

Not their fault, really. Trying to integrate into a new roster and playing sheltered minutes isn't a recipe for offensive fireworks. But the youngsters who could have truly provided an offensive spark, or even replaced under-performing veterans, weren't far enough along in their development.

Brighter Days Ahead

They're getting closer. That's why The Hockey News' Tony Ferrari is among many experts who say brighter days for the Kraken are on the horizon.

"Shane Wright looked great in his late-season call-up, posting five points in as many games," Ferrari writes. "Beniers and Wright can form a young, talented one-two punch down the middle as early as next season.

"The prospect pool is loaded with players who had big years. Jagger Firkus tore the WHL apart with a league-leading 126 points. David Goyette led the OHL in scoring with 117, while Carson Rehkopf was a top-10 scorer in the same league.

"It’s not out of the realm of possibility that they are right back to challenge for a playoff spot next year, with some young talent added to the roster."

2024 NHL Draft

While we're talking youth, Kraken GM Ron Francis and his scouts will participate in their fourth NHL draft, June 28-29 in Las Vegas. If Seattle doesn't improve its position via early May's draft lottery, they're slotted to select 9th.

Ferrari's Kraken mock draft pick is giant Russian defenseman Anton Silayev. Barely two weeks removed from his 18th birthday, Silayev already clocks in at 6-foot-7 and 207 pounds!

Ferrari's take : "With so many exciting prospects in the system already, the NHL’s most recent expansion franchise will have the chance to add a big, strong skating blueliner to their system. He could be a true defensive pillar as a 6-foot-7 presence on the back end for years to come."

That could ease the pain from all of this year's losses, eh?