This one’s easy. The Kraken need everything. They’ll be in the “take the best player available” mode in Vegas when they pick in the 1st round at number-8, just like they were last summer in Nashville when they selected Czech winger Eduard Sale (pictured) at 20th-overall.
A top centerman, strength up the middle if you will, would be a top priority. As it stands, there could be a handful of strong pivots still on the board when the Kraken make their pick.
Two of them are Western Leaguers: Berkly Catton from the Spokane Chiefs being one, and Tij Iginla, son of Calgary Flames legend Jarome Iginla, of the Kelowna Rockets being the other. Iginla brings more size and durability. A third option in the mix could be Michael Hage from Chicago of the USHL junior league.
Thinking D? Two options would hopefully be available to make the Kraken ponder: Sam Dickinson from the London Knights of the OHL would be a dandy, while Carter Yakemchuk from Calgary of the Western League wouldn’t be far behind. Both are 6-foot-3 and weigh more than 200 pounds.
They’d be nuts to take a winger again, and it’s unlikely they’ll pick another player from Czechia, despite the influence of Kraken Director of Amateur Scouting Robert Kron, who hails from the same town as Sale, last year’s 1st-rounder.
The only possibility to fit that bill this time around would be strong D-man and countryman Adam Jiricek. His 18th birthday hits Friday, June 28th, the same day of the Draft’s 1st round.
Keep in mind, defenseman usually take longer to develop, and the Kraken need help in a lot of areas as soon as possible. They’ll hope to hit the jackpot while building out their prospect stable.
Recent Kraken:
— 3 Kraken Prospects Dot Elite Major Junior Lists
What about lindstrom from med hat or pothole from sagina? Those are two other possibilities.
Lindstrom will very likely be off the board by then, also a possibility for Parekh. I tried to bring up names that are ranked around the Kraken wheelhouse. Of course, as we’ve seen, surprises happen, and players can drop/jump. Just some samples.