Post by Seattle Kraken on Jul 22, 2023 0:09:33 GMT -6
The plan in Seattle was set forth on day one when the PFHL began, and the focal point was to stockpile as many 2023 draft picks as possible. With Seattle basically starting with no prospect system we have had pretty bare cupboards when it comes to prospect depth. That all changed with the 2023 draft producing 15 new draft picks added to the system. Here's a look at the prospects the scouts decided on.
Round 1
12th Overall - RW Gabriel Perreault
Our scouts love Perreault's game he's a very cerebral offensive player, he had a phenomenal season with the United States development team, leading the program in points with 53 goals, and 79 assists for 132 points in 63 games. He followed that up with an excellent performance at the World U18 Championships finishing the tournament 2nd in points with 5 goals and 13 assists for 18 points in 7 games leading the USA to a Gold medal. He is fantastic at reading plays and making quick, smart decisions in the offensive zone, and has great vision. We expect a real solid offensive catalyst for our top 6 in the near future with this player.
14th Overall - D Axel Sandin-Pellikka
We actually traded up for this pick, swapping for pick #18 as well as a pick swap in round 2. We didn't think Axel would fall to pick 18 so when Toronto gm Vince Gibbons pitched the idea to move down we discussed it and came to an agreement. This was our #1 defensemen on our draft board, exceptional puck moving skills, great skill to quarterback the powerplay, he's a very fluid skater with the ability to close on attacking forwards quickly, he's got to fill out his frame and come into his own defensively but we feel the finished product with this player is very high end, and we couldnt be happier to add him to our organization.
19th overall - C Brayden Yager
This is the selection we obtained from the New York Rangers as compensation during the RFA offer sheet window for Michael McLeod. With Brayden he's a really high end finisher, with an accurate and elite release on his shot, he's a player that our scouts felt will be a 30-45 goal scorer. I think he's going to score a lot of goals at the next level, if he can just improve his skating a touch it will help his game immensely in terms of translating to pro hockey.
20th overall - RW Eduard Sale
At one point early in the season Eduard was pretty much a shoe in to be a top 10 pick, he had quite an up and down season in the Czech men's league, but he produced at a PPG rate internationally between the U18 and U20 Czechs squads where he had 29 points in 29 games. He is coming over to North America to play in the Ontario Hockey League next season and we believe he will take a massive step forward in his development. “Eduard possesses every single skill attribute that allows a player to impact a game in a significant way. He’s fast, quick, and agile when he needs to be. He’s got a brain that is advanced. He is two or three steps ahead. He’s so good at carving out space for himself and knowing how to take advantage of space, and making opponents think they have him under wraps.” — Craig Button on TSN
Round 2
46th overall - G Carson Bjarnason
Go figure three goalies go relatively quickly in Round 2 and we get to pick #46 and our top goalie on our board is still sitting there, With the run on goalies we decided not to wait and just take our guy. With Carson we absolutely love the athleticism he brings to the table, he tracks the puck at an elite level, he's got pro size at 6'3'' and he was an absolute workhorse for a poor team in Brandon this past season where he was under siege most nights. Like most goalies he'll need lots of time to develop and adjust to pro hockey and we'll allow him to develop at his own pace.
52nd Overall - C/RW Gracyn Sawchyn
Gracyn Sawchyn has quickly become one of my favorite players in the 2023 Draft, he's a player that was playing predominantly in a 3rd line role on a very deep Seattle team and he still managed to put up a PPG, with Seattle losing alot of their top players to the professional ranks we expect Sawchyn to really take off offensively next season. He has a very high motor and is constantly making smart plays all over the ice. Gracyn is reliable defensively and is a great forechecker, making him an absolute nuisance for opposing forwards.
58th Overall - D Maxim Strbak
Strbak is a defense first defenseman, his gap-control is very strong as he quickly takes time away from his opponents with good positioning and aggressive checking. He's got good mobility and some untapped offensive potential, and he's also got good size at 6'2'' 205 pounds already. He's got bloodlines to, as his dad Martin played in 49 NHL games back in the early 2000's and proceded to carve out a good career in Europe.
Round 3
89th overall - C Luca Pinelli
Well-rounded and intelligent forward who makes those around him better. Needs to improve his skating but processes the game at a high rate. His habits, awareness, and off-puck movement still make him an easily projectable center at the next level. He pre-scans better than most first-year draft-eligible players in junior hockey, which he often flashes when getting the puck off the boards and onto the tape of a teammate’s stick in space while under heavy pressure.
Round 4
99th - D Larry Keenan, heading to Penticton of the BCHL next season, and then onto the University of Massuchusetts where he'll play for Greg Carvel and the Minutemen.
109th - C Jayson Shaugabay, very good playmaking forward committed to the University of Minnesota-Deluth
114th - D Carter Sotheran, big defensive defenseman who excels in transition both on defense and offense, more offensive to give. Headed back to Portland for another season in the WHL
Round 6
180th - RW Tuomas Uronen, drafted by the Ottawa 67's of the OHL he'll be playing in North America this season, The strength of Uronen’s game is his offensive makeup, specifically his shot.
Round 7
195th - LW/RW Maros Jedlicka
204th - G Vladimir Nikitin
212th - D Axel Hurtig
Round 1
12th Overall - RW Gabriel Perreault
Our scouts love Perreault's game he's a very cerebral offensive player, he had a phenomenal season with the United States development team, leading the program in points with 53 goals, and 79 assists for 132 points in 63 games. He followed that up with an excellent performance at the World U18 Championships finishing the tournament 2nd in points with 5 goals and 13 assists for 18 points in 7 games leading the USA to a Gold medal. He is fantastic at reading plays and making quick, smart decisions in the offensive zone, and has great vision. We expect a real solid offensive catalyst for our top 6 in the near future with this player.
14th Overall - D Axel Sandin-Pellikka
We actually traded up for this pick, swapping for pick #18 as well as a pick swap in round 2. We didn't think Axel would fall to pick 18 so when Toronto gm Vince Gibbons pitched the idea to move down we discussed it and came to an agreement. This was our #1 defensemen on our draft board, exceptional puck moving skills, great skill to quarterback the powerplay, he's a very fluid skater with the ability to close on attacking forwards quickly, he's got to fill out his frame and come into his own defensively but we feel the finished product with this player is very high end, and we couldnt be happier to add him to our organization.
19th overall - C Brayden Yager
This is the selection we obtained from the New York Rangers as compensation during the RFA offer sheet window for Michael McLeod. With Brayden he's a really high end finisher, with an accurate and elite release on his shot, he's a player that our scouts felt will be a 30-45 goal scorer. I think he's going to score a lot of goals at the next level, if he can just improve his skating a touch it will help his game immensely in terms of translating to pro hockey.
20th overall - RW Eduard Sale
At one point early in the season Eduard was pretty much a shoe in to be a top 10 pick, he had quite an up and down season in the Czech men's league, but he produced at a PPG rate internationally between the U18 and U20 Czechs squads where he had 29 points in 29 games. He is coming over to North America to play in the Ontario Hockey League next season and we believe he will take a massive step forward in his development. “Eduard possesses every single skill attribute that allows a player to impact a game in a significant way. He’s fast, quick, and agile when he needs to be. He’s got a brain that is advanced. He is two or three steps ahead. He’s so good at carving out space for himself and knowing how to take advantage of space, and making opponents think they have him under wraps.” — Craig Button on TSN
Round 2
46th overall - G Carson Bjarnason
Go figure three goalies go relatively quickly in Round 2 and we get to pick #46 and our top goalie on our board is still sitting there, With the run on goalies we decided not to wait and just take our guy. With Carson we absolutely love the athleticism he brings to the table, he tracks the puck at an elite level, he's got pro size at 6'3'' and he was an absolute workhorse for a poor team in Brandon this past season where he was under siege most nights. Like most goalies he'll need lots of time to develop and adjust to pro hockey and we'll allow him to develop at his own pace.
52nd Overall - C/RW Gracyn Sawchyn
Gracyn Sawchyn has quickly become one of my favorite players in the 2023 Draft, he's a player that was playing predominantly in a 3rd line role on a very deep Seattle team and he still managed to put up a PPG, with Seattle losing alot of their top players to the professional ranks we expect Sawchyn to really take off offensively next season. He has a very high motor and is constantly making smart plays all over the ice. Gracyn is reliable defensively and is a great forechecker, making him an absolute nuisance for opposing forwards.
58th Overall - D Maxim Strbak
Strbak is a defense first defenseman, his gap-control is very strong as he quickly takes time away from his opponents with good positioning and aggressive checking. He's got good mobility and some untapped offensive potential, and he's also got good size at 6'2'' 205 pounds already. He's got bloodlines to, as his dad Martin played in 49 NHL games back in the early 2000's and proceded to carve out a good career in Europe.
Round 3
89th overall - C Luca Pinelli
Well-rounded and intelligent forward who makes those around him better. Needs to improve his skating but processes the game at a high rate. His habits, awareness, and off-puck movement still make him an easily projectable center at the next level. He pre-scans better than most first-year draft-eligible players in junior hockey, which he often flashes when getting the puck off the boards and onto the tape of a teammate’s stick in space while under heavy pressure.
Round 4
99th - D Larry Keenan, heading to Penticton of the BCHL next season, and then onto the University of Massuchusetts where he'll play for Greg Carvel and the Minutemen.
109th - C Jayson Shaugabay, very good playmaking forward committed to the University of Minnesota-Deluth
114th - D Carter Sotheran, big defensive defenseman who excels in transition both on defense and offense, more offensive to give. Headed back to Portland for another season in the WHL
Round 6
180th - RW Tuomas Uronen, drafted by the Ottawa 67's of the OHL he'll be playing in North America this season, The strength of Uronen’s game is his offensive makeup, specifically his shot.
Round 7
195th - LW/RW Maros Jedlicka
204th - G Vladimir Nikitin
212th - D Axel Hurtig
