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Why Seattle Krakens Prospect Pipeline Ranks Top 3 in the NHL.

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Maverick Mitchell
April 27, 2024 (5:38 PM)

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Photo credit: Seattle Kraken

As the Kraken affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds secured the Pacific Division title and a first-round bye, Seattle prospects will train under head coach Dan Bylsma and his staff. While Firebirds await their second-round series, rookies will join for intense practices to hone in their skills.

With a first-round bye in @TheAHL playoffs, many #SeaKraken prospects will gain valuable practice time & continue to develop with the @Firebirds

Shane Wright, Ryan Winterton, Logan Morrison, Ville Ottavainen, Jacob Melanson, and Tucker Robertson, regulars for Coachella Valley all season, are joined by other draft picks and signees for intense training.

Defenseman Ryker Evans, who logged 31 games with the Kraken this season, demonstrated All-Star caliber play in the AHL earlier in the year. Despite being a reserve for the NHL club in the latter part of the season, he will now gain more ice time and playoff experience this spring. Evans received accolades from Kraken GM Ron Francis during a recent media conference.

He's a terrific kid, He continues to work hard. I felt when he got the chance to get in the lineup, and especially for me down the stretch in some tough games, he really showed his development. There's no doubt in my mind he's in our (Kraken) lineup coming into camp next year. He's been that good.» - Francis

With great draft picks and notable free-agent signings, the Kraken have quickly emerged as one of the NHL's top franchises for prospects' production and potential, ranking in the top third in the NHL.

Undrafted signees Tye Kartye and Logan Morrison have been key for the Kraken. Kartye, the 2022-23 AHL rookie of the year, led in hits and scored 11 goals this season. Morrison impressed with his hockey IQ, earning praise from coach Dave Hakstol and Kraken veterans during his NHL call-up.

The AHL Firebirds had a successful season, clinching the division title and earning a first-round bye. What's most exciting is seeing these young players thrive in an environment that gives them experience winning. They're gaining invaluable experience, by learning how to win and facing tough playoff matchups, which will help them grow as athletes.

It's different in hockey than in some of the other sports. It takes time to get them there. As it goes great, sometimes they struggle, and we have to help them get out of that. We're really excited about what we have coming. Now the key is building the team here and integrating those pieces that we think are now starting to come to make us more successful moving forward.»

Previously on KrakenLatest

2024 Draft Lottery: Macklin Celebrini

Kraken Assign Young LW Prospect to AHL from Kitchener Rangers

SeaKraken sign Kelowna Prospect Caden Price

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27 AVRIL \| 46 ANSWERS Why Seattle Krakens Prospect Pipeline Ranks Top 3 in the NHL. Are you excited for Kraken prospects to show what they can do next season?
Yes	42	91.3 %
No	4	8.7 %
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