Seattle Kraken: Top-5 players for the second overall pick
Seattle Kraken has good options with the number two overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft. Here are the top five players expected to be available.
The Seattle Kraken did well in the draft lottery, moving up to second overall. In most draft years, that would be a coup. Unfortunately, the top of this draft doesn’t stack up to recent ones. There isn’t a potential dominating talent such as Alexis Lafreniere, Jack Hughes, or Rasmus Dahlin.
There is good news. Even with a lack of elite players, there are some very good ones. This is the year of the Michigan Wolverines. UM will have three players in the top 10, and all could go in the top five. Defenseman Owen Power is the best of the trio and this year’s likely number one overall pick.
After Power, there is some debate over who is next. Here are the top five players the Seattle Kraken could take with the second overall selection. Rankings refer to where the player is on the evaluator’s draft board.
Matthew Beniers, C, Michigan (NCAA)
Matty Beniers sums up why this is such an intriguing draft. Looking over scouting reports and prospect rankings, he hasn’t sold a majority of scouts that he’s the second-best player. Most mock drafts, however, have the Seattle Kraken selecting him second overall.
Everyone agrees that Beniers has a high-end motor and some elite skills. He’s the kind of no-quit, high-compete player who will quickly endear himself to fans. For an 18-year-old, Berniers plays a strong two-way game. An added bonus is that he is very good in the faceoff circle.
While Beniers does many things very well, there is nothing in his talent arsenal that stands out. He projects as a low first line to a high second-line center.
Rankings
- NHL Central Scouting – 6th North American skater
- Craig Button, TSN – 5th
- Scott Wheeler, The Athletic – 4th
- Corey Pronman, The Athletic – 5th
- Dobber Prospects – 1st
- Ryan Kennedy, The Hockey News – 5th
- Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet – 2nd