Post by krakengm on Jul 29, 2023 21:09:33 GMT -5
Sapporo, Japan - In the days leading up the NsHL Entry Draft, and during the draft, deals were flying and picks were changing hands at a staggering rate. However, for the Seattle Kraken, drafting remotely from across the pond, things were fairly quiet. The club added a late third round pick in return for underrated defenseman Brogan Rafferty a few days before the draft, and the club dealt their 39th pick for the 56th and 82nd pick in the heat of the moment. In all the Kraken have added a goalie, nine new forwards, and a surprising 8 defensemen.
"It just worked out that way. For the most part we stuck to our list, and defensemen kept coming up," said GM Graber.
Here is a run-down of the new Kraken:
#3 - Leo Carlsson C - A big physical center with a lot of skill who should be the club's top center for years to come.
#34 - Ethan Gauthier C - A smart two-way center who has the individuals skills to give him a lot of upside.
#56 - Lukas Dragicevic D - A strong offensive player who will need to work on his defensive game. Club feels that can be taught.
#65 - Coulson Pitre RW - A smart winger who adapts well to the flow of the game, switching from playing heavy to displaying some skill.
#66 - Lenni Hameenaho RW - Hard worker with really good hands, but will have to work on his skating.
#75 - Juraj Pekarcik LW - Youngest player in the draft with super slick hands and a willingness to play physical.
#82 - Tristan Bertucci D - Mobile defender with shifty offensive moves and is solid in his own zone. Needs to rein in the risk taking a bit.
#92 Andrew Strathman D - Quick defenseman who moves the puck well, but will have to improve his decision making.
#98 - Dylan MacKinnon D - Big, physical defenseman with above average skating skills for his size. A character guy to protect the flashy teammates.
#108 - Hoyt Stanley D - Another big, puck moving defenseman. Headed to college, so lots of time on this one.
#109 - Zach Nehring C/RW - High school player who shows two way skill and is nasty in front of the net.
#113 - Beckett Hendrickson LW/C - Speedy and super competitive kid heading to NCAA where he will need to add some bulk.
#130 - Hampton Slukynsky G - Ridiculous battle level, but needs to calm down in the crease. Heads to NCAA after next year, so is a long term project.
#146 - Eric Pohlkamp D - Second year eligible with a heavy shot and good straight line skating will need to improve his agility.
#150 - Zachary Schulz D - Super reliable rugged defenseman who's strong on the PK with strong leadership qualities.
#159 - Kaden Hammell D - Strong defensive defenseman with enough skill to have a legitimate shot at being a pro.
#162 - Nikita Susuyev W - Super strong skater with a nose for the net, but needs to be introduced to his goalie.
#194 - Zaccharya Wisdom RW - Second year eligible player who is a super pest with some skill to be a threat with the puck.
For a club that needed to add to their prospect base, the club added a lot of bodies with a wide variety of skill. Many of the players are long-term projects, which creates something of a short-term problem for the next couple of years, but is expected to pay off in the long run.
--- Johnny Pike for the Seattle Times
"It just worked out that way. For the most part we stuck to our list, and defensemen kept coming up," said GM Graber.
Here is a run-down of the new Kraken:
#3 - Leo Carlsson C - A big physical center with a lot of skill who should be the club's top center for years to come.
#34 - Ethan Gauthier C - A smart two-way center who has the individuals skills to give him a lot of upside.
#56 - Lukas Dragicevic D - A strong offensive player who will need to work on his defensive game. Club feels that can be taught.
#65 - Coulson Pitre RW - A smart winger who adapts well to the flow of the game, switching from playing heavy to displaying some skill.
#66 - Lenni Hameenaho RW - Hard worker with really good hands, but will have to work on his skating.
#75 - Juraj Pekarcik LW - Youngest player in the draft with super slick hands and a willingness to play physical.
#82 - Tristan Bertucci D - Mobile defender with shifty offensive moves and is solid in his own zone. Needs to rein in the risk taking a bit.
#92 Andrew Strathman D - Quick defenseman who moves the puck well, but will have to improve his decision making.
#98 - Dylan MacKinnon D - Big, physical defenseman with above average skating skills for his size. A character guy to protect the flashy teammates.
#108 - Hoyt Stanley D - Another big, puck moving defenseman. Headed to college, so lots of time on this one.
#109 - Zach Nehring C/RW - High school player who shows two way skill and is nasty in front of the net.
#113 - Beckett Hendrickson LW/C - Speedy and super competitive kid heading to NCAA where he will need to add some bulk.
#130 - Hampton Slukynsky G - Ridiculous battle level, but needs to calm down in the crease. Heads to NCAA after next year, so is a long term project.
#146 - Eric Pohlkamp D - Second year eligible with a heavy shot and good straight line skating will need to improve his agility.
#150 - Zachary Schulz D - Super reliable rugged defenseman who's strong on the PK with strong leadership qualities.
#159 - Kaden Hammell D - Strong defensive defenseman with enough skill to have a legitimate shot at being a pro.
#162 - Nikita Susuyev W - Super strong skater with a nose for the net, but needs to be introduced to his goalie.
#194 - Zaccharya Wisdom RW - Second year eligible player who is a super pest with some skill to be a threat with the puck.
For a club that needed to add to their prospect base, the club added a lot of bodies with a wide variety of skill. Many of the players are long-term projects, which creates something of a short-term problem for the next couple of years, but is expected to pay off in the long run.
--- Johnny Pike for the Seattle Times