As the NHL and NHL teams prepare for the 2024 NHL draft and the combine now in the rearview, it was reported that the Kraken are in the top 10 for best prospects pool in the NHL.
McKeen Hockey who does extensive coverage in the prospect pool of the NHL has ranked the Kraken as the 8th best prospects. Having completed their third season in the NHL and have five draft picks in the first three rounds of this year's draft it certainly looks promising for the crack and as they continue to build out their prospects.
The number one prospect is Shane Wright who was drafted 4th overall in the 2022 NHL draft. He has continued to develop his game and has been working with incoming head coach Dan Bylsma. Currently, he is preparing for his second Calder cup final as the Coachella firebirds had punched their ticket to the final after defeating the Milwaukee Admirals in five games.
The 20 year old had played 59 games with the Firebirds who scored 22 goals with 25 assists for 47 points,
Jagger Firkus had an outstanding year in the WHL as he received player of the year in both the CHL and the WHL. He also won the WHL championship with his team the Moosejaw warriors. Firkus blew the doors off his stats as he played 61 games, scoring 61 goals with 65 assists for 126 points.
The 20-year-old Firkus was selected in the 2022 draft, in the second round 35th overall. The Kraken prospect pool also has other great players such as Carson Rehkopf, David Goyette and Eduard Sale to name a few.
It remains to be seen on what general manager Ron Francis will do at the draft whether he will trade up his pick to acquire some offense, select the pick at 8th overall as a defense laden first round top 10 would be quite enticing to help bolster his defence core.
Kraken fans will have to wait till June 28th as the first round of the entry draft will be at 4:00 PM Pacific Time.
