Seattle Kraken prospect Eduard Sale has been inconsistent during his development and his future is a bit up in the air at the moment.
The Kraken used their first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft to select Sale with the 20th overall pick. Leading up to the draft, Sale had already accumulated 53 games of pro experience playing in the Czech Extraliga and won the Rookie of the Year.
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To go along with his professional experience, the 6'1 winger had been among the best prospects at the U-18s and the World Juniors. The 19-year-old used those lessons and made the decision to play his D+1 year in the OHL with the Barrie Colts.
In 25 games, he struggled to produce as expected, scoring just seven goals and 20 points. He was then part of a trade that made him teammates with Kraken prospect Carson Rehkopf. Despite the move, his disappointing season continued, as he recorded just eight goals and 18 points in 24 games with the Kitchener Rangers.
The playoffs however sparked a change as he went on to notch five goals and 12 points in 10 games, finishing second on his team in both statistical categories.
The playoff success then carried over in the offseason and at the most recent U20 Five Nations Faceoff, Sale led Czechia in points with four goals and seven points en route to a Czechia tournament win.
Prior to his success at the Five Nations Faceoff, Mike Benton reported that Sale was left off of the Kitchener Rangers training camp roster. He then received confirmation from the Kraken that he will be with the Kraken rookie camp roster. Unfortunately, he did report that he did not receive confirmation about whether Sale will be making the move to pro hockey with the Coachella Valley Firebirds but it does open the door for that possibility.
The Brno, Czechia native has the physical tools to be an effective NHL player and has the puck skills, skating and shot to be a contributing top-six player. He's creative with the puck and slick passer but has key areas that need improvements before making the jump to the NHL. His hockey IQ and his compete level can be lacking and inconsistent and that is why he looks like one of the best prospects at times and then could look like a replacement-level player.
Finding consistency will help Sale regain his positioning as one of the Kraken's top prospects because, at the moment, one trusted outlet had him outside of their top 10. Corey Pronman of The Athletic ranked him as the 11th-best Kraken prospect and Steven Ellis had him ranked ninth.
Related: Daily Faceoff Provides Their Top 10 Kraken Prospects And Breakdown
Whether he plays with the Firebirds in the AHL or with the Rangers in the OHL, upping his compete level and doing so on a consistent basis will be the determining factor of Sale's success next season. The Kraken have the difficult decision of picking which situation is better for one of their prized prospects. He'll once again play a crucial role with Czechia's World Junior team and could crack Czechia's World Championship team.
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