(Updated version of a Seattle Kraken report written in February, with Goyette comments acquired on June 2nd)
Hockey players will tell you they’re more relaxed for their second visit to an NHL development camp and that is definitely the case for Seattle Kraken prospect David Goyette.
“I feel it’s a lot easier, you’re more familiar with everyone, the facility, everyone in the organization,” Goyette told S.H.I. “It’s great coming back and seeing everyone here again, but obviously still a lot of work to put in and looking forward to a great camp here.”
Clearly he was one of the better players in the first session on Sunday.
“I think I did pretty good,” Goyette said. “It’s sweet coming out here with the guys again and competing with them and seeing the new guys come in. I’m obviously trying to keep my spot in the rankings, in the charts, competing here every day and doing my best.”
Should we keep pumping the concept of “you can never have too many centers” for the Seattle Kraken?
Of course we should, because it’s true. Whether as part of the line-up or as a valuable trade chip, there’s always interest in a talented pivot.
Thanks to a 2022 trade deadline deal with the Flames that sent Seattle forward Calle Jarnkrok to Calgary, Seattle Kraken General Manager Ron Francis added a 2nd-round 2022 NHL Draft pick that he used on Goyette, a forward for the Sudbury Wolves in the Ontario Hockey League.
The lefty turned age-19 in May while remaining remarkably consistent.
Highlights
Goyette piled up 73 points in 66 Ontario Hockey League games as a 17-year-old. He followed that up this past season with 92 points in 63 matches.
This for a team that wasn’t exactly a world beater; although a strong second half to the season allowed the Wolves to finish three games above .500 and in 5th place in the OHL’s eastern conference standings.
They were bounced in four straight games in the opening round by the eventual playoff champion Peterborough Petes.
Goyette went on to play seven playoff games for the Seattle Kraken AHL affiliate Coachella Valley Firebirds. He chipped in with two assists.
All scouts agree on Goyette’s excellent skating ability, the number-one attribute any player can have.
It all starts there, especially for a Kraken club that pushes the pace and turns up the pressure. He’d fit right in as most believe he has top-6 NHL forward potential.
That wouldn’t be happening in the immediate future as he continues to grow while working on the finer points of the game and his spatial awareness around the ice surface.
Pros and Cons
As an export in 2019-’20, the Quebec native played AAA Bantam for the Selects Academy in Connecticut and had 153 points in 65 games.
Like so many OHL’ers, including a handful of other Seattle Kraken prospects, Goyette missed a season of major junior hockey because of the Covid pandemic. He missed what would have been his rookie 16-year-old campaign.
Add that to the fact he’s still growing and getting stronger — some consider him too slight – his development track in multiple areas remains a work in progress.
Yet he still produces. Goyette will be a strong part of the conversation for Team Canada at the 2024 World Junior Championship that starts this coming December.
“It’s one of my goals for sure, playing on that team and helping Canada win in Sweden this winter,” Goyette said. “So I’m looking forward to that, hopefully I get a chance to be in it.”
He’s growing up. The Seattle Kraken will be patient, and it’ll fun to see what Goyette looks like and how he performs in the rest of Development Camp and come the start of next season.
