Seattle Kraken Expected 2023-24 Rookie Class
Ed Stein
|
In a recent interview, Seattle Kraken General Manager Ron Francis identified a few players who could make the team as rookies next season.
Last week Seattle Kraken General Manager Ron Francis was on 710 ESPN with Brock and Salk to talk about his three-year extension and the team in general. Among the topics they discussed was which prospects could earn a job and make an impact. He mentioned three players, Shane Wright, Tye Kartye, and Ryker Evans.
Shane Wright
Shane Wright was Seattle’s 2022 first round pick and went 4th overall. It was a whirlwind season for the 19-year-old, playing for four different teams.
He broke camp with the Seattle Kraken, appearing in 8 games. If he reached 10 NHL games, it would have burned a year off his entry-level contract. From there, after sitting out a few games, the team sent him for an 8-game conditioning stint with their AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley.
Then the Seattle Kraken loaned Wright to Team Canada for the World Junior Championships. He captained Canada’s Bronze Medal team, scoring 7 points in 7 games.
Seattle sent him back to the Windsor Spitfires, his junior team, where he finished the regular season. When the Spitfires were finally eliminated, he rejoined Coachella for their playoff run.
Wright is a great skater who sees the ice well. Not only does he see it, but Wright also plays with great anticipation, whether it’s a pass or shooting the puck himself.
While he was with the Kraken, it seemed like head coach Dave Hakstol wasn’t impressed with Wright’s 2-way game. The rookie was often a healthy scratch.
When discussing Wright at their respective end of season press conferences, both Hakstol and Francis used the term hard work. On the show, Francis said:
“The message we want to send is nothing will be handed to you.”
While bouncing around, Wright had another year to develop and mature. That and some hard work could make him a mainstay in Seattle’s lineup next year.
Tye Kartye
During their opening round series with Colorado, the Seattle Kraken had to make do without leading scorer Jared McCann who was out with an injury. When Tye Kartye was announced as his replacement for Game 5, KrakenNation let out a collective “Who?”
They weren’t aware that the undrafted free agent played in all 72 of Coachella’s games and led rookies with 57 points. He quickly made himself known to the Seattle fans with a go-ahead goal midway through the second period.
Propelled by his initial success, Kartye played in all of Seattle’s remaining playoff games. The rookie wound up scoring 3 goals with 2 helpers in 10 games.
Francis was very impressed:
“Karts showed in the playoffs, he looks like he belongs. Unless something goes in a different direction between now and next season, I think he’s got a good chance to earn a spot.”
Ryker Evans
A smooth-skating, puck-handling defenseman, the Seattle Kraken drafted Ryker Evan 35 overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He’s rewarded their faith in him with a fine AHL rookie season.
Evans scored 44 points in 71 regular season games. Although he sputtered during the second half, in 20 AHL playoff games this spring, Evans kicked it up a notch by putting up 15 points (2 goals, 13 assists).
Size will be an issue. At only 5-11, 185 pounds, he’s small for an NHL defenseman. At 21 years old, Evans still has a chance to bulk up a bit.
“Our second-ever pick for the Kraken organization has been playing in Coachella. Ryker made the All-Star team in the middle of the season and All-Rookie team at the end of the season… He may be ready coming out of camp, it may take another month or two, but at some point next season, I think you’ll see Ryker Evans up here.”
Which Seattle Kraken prospects are you excited to see play in the NHL next season?
Note: If you want to listen to the full interview, click here.