Seattle Kraken Round Table: First Round Draft Predictions
Ciara Durant
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Ciara Durant
I have gone back and forth between whether I believe the Kraken should select a defenseman or forward. The team could benefit from adding talent at every position. In the end, however, I think it smart for Ron Francis to select the best defenseman available in this year’s draft.
Two players really stand out to me in this regard. The race between Simon Nemec and David Jiricek is a tight one. Both are very similar players, and while Jiricek seems to fit Ron Francis’ vision for his blueline, it is Simon Nemec’s name I expect to hear when Francis steps up to the podium to make his selection.
Nemec is an incredible two-way defenseman who excels defensively. Playing alongside men for the last three years has allowed him to accelerate his development exponentially. Having the kind of success he had this season, especially in the international spotlight, speaks volumes of who he is as a player. It also shows that he will soon be ready for the responsibilities of the NHL.
The fact that he is a right-handed defenseman also makes him even more valuable to the Seattle Kraken. His desire to make the transition to playing in North America after the draft shows that he has the drive and wants to prove himself. He is ready to have an immediate impact, and I think he has the chops to do it this year or next.