Seattle Kraken: Five breakout candidates to watch
Every time a league expands, it creates opportunities for players who otherwise might not get the chance. Here are the Kraken players who should breakout this year.
Expansion not only brings a new team to an underserved market but also creates opportunities to succeed for players who might not get one with their former teams. The Seattle Kraken drafted some talented young players in the expansion draft. They get their chance to step up in the Emerald City.
Recent history bears this out. Little-known players such as William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault, and Reilly Smith made names for themselves during the Vegas Golden Knights’ inaugural 2017-18 season.
Now it’s time for young players drafted by the Seattle Kraken to do the same as those Vegas players did. Ahead is a list of players primed for breakout performances in Seattle’s first season.
There are a few ground rules to qualify. Talent is obviously first. Next, the player had to show signs of hope at his previous stop(s). Finally, he has to be 25 or younger on opening day.
Honorable Mention – Alex True
It won’t be easy for him to make the Kraken roster., But if he does, Alex True could become a physical force in the NHL. The former Seattle Thunderbirds star is one of many big bodies GM Ron Francis drafted. He’s got the size (6-5, 205-pounds) and nasty streak to make the league take notice of him.
Honorable Mention – Jeremy Lauzon
I’m not sure how much Jeremy Lauzon counts as a breakout player. As a rookie last season, he saw a good amount of time on Boston’s top defense pair with Charlie McAvoy.
Lauzon was the stay-at-home defender to offset McAvoy’s exploits in the offensive zone. He might not light up the scoreboard very often, but Lauzon will light up those who skate into the Kraken defensive zone.
"They took your best young defenseman and I don't know how anyone could feel good about that."
Mike Felger is 'not cool' with the Bruins losing Jeremy Lauzon in the expansion draft to the Seattle Kraken. pic.twitter.com/dEXOcFfUAv
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) July 22, 2021