The Kraken's Value Of Drafting Well In The Second And Third Rounds

The Seattle Kraken have drafted very well in the second and third rounds of the NHL draft and it's set them up nicely for the future.

The Kraken, since their first-ever draft in 2021 have selected Ryker Evans, Ryan Winterton, Jagger Firkus, Jani Nyman, Niklas Kokko, David Goyette, Ty Nelson, Ben MacDonald, Carson Rehkopf, Oscar Fisker Molgaard, Lukas Dragicevic and Caden Price in the second and third rounds.

Two players have already made their NHL debuts (Evans and Winterton) and many of them have achieved big honours in their junior leagues. Firkus, Goyette and Nelson were all dominant in their last years in the CHL and will go on to be key figures with the Coachella Valley Firebirds next year alongside Jani Nyman. Rehkopf, Dragicevic and Price had strong years in the CHL and will likely graduate to the Firebirds next season with Fisker Molgaard. Kokko has shown he can one day be an NHL goalie after another strong season in Liiga.

Related: Three Kraken Prospects Who Can Play For The Firebirds Next Season

The Toronto Maple Leafs are another team that has done well with this formula. Trying to improve their team at the trade deadline and using their first-round pick to acquire an impactful player has forced them to make their first selections in drafts in the second or third round. Since 2018 they've drafted Sean Durzi, Nick Robertson, Matthew Knies and Fraser Minten who have all played games in the NHL. Topi Niemela was a third-round pick in 2020 who is on the cusp of a roster spot and Easton Cowan was a late first-round pick who had a stellar season in the previous OHL campaign.

The Leafs have been able to surround their superstars with great second and third-round picks and despite it not leading to much success in the playoffs, it's made them one of the most consistent teams during the regular season.

The Kraken have followed that formula and are following a similar path.

The Dallas Stars are another club that has drafted well since 2017 and are reaping the benefits now. They are able to replace older veterans each year with a new prospect that they were patient with and developed. Most of their successful draft picks have come from the first round outside of Jason Robertson and Logan Stankoven.

If the Kraken are patient and put pieces around these players that complement their skill sets, the bright future they possess will come to fruition before they know it.

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