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Thoughts on Seattle's First Draft

July 26, 2021, 11:16 AM ET [6 Comments]
Sean Maloughney
Seattle Kraken Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The first ever draft for the Seattle Kraken has come and gone and now the 32nd team in the NHL has a group of young prospects that they hope will be able to contribute to the big club. Here are the new names that you should familiarize yourselves with.

C - Matthew Beniers - Drafted 2nd Overall
Prior to the draft, most expected Beniers to be the guy for Seattle. Here is what Elite Prospects has to say about him:
He’s a dynamic, high-pace transporter of the puck; one who accelerates with linear and nonlinear crossovers through a wide array of rush patterns and tempo changes to manoeuvre past opposing defenders. He never cheats. Beniers is always involved in his team’s defensive game, showing high-level details, defensive problem-solving ability, and switchability.

Beniers is far more of a playmaker than a shooter but his speed and sharp hockey IQ make him a threat whenever he is on the ice. The 6'2, 175lb centre put up 24 points in 24 games (10-14-24) with the University of Michigan. He can produce but it is his defensive game that gets a ton of praise. Stylistically his game has been compared to the likes of of Patrice Bergeron and Jonathan Toews. At his lowest level, I could see him being more of an Ryan Nugent-Hopkins type of player.

LD - Ryker Evans - Drafted 35th Overall
Francis went off the board for his second pick with defenseman Ryker Evans, a player who was projected to go in the third or fourth round. A year ago, Evans went undrafted with 31 points (7-24-31) in 63 games. This year in a shortened WHL season, Evans put up 28 points in 24 games. While he put up good numbers, it's his actual defensive game that makes the Kraken believe he can be a real player. He skates very well and uses his stick effectively in the defensive end to break up a play. Currently he projects as a middle pairing defenseman who plays a modern NHL game.

C - Ryan Winterton - Drafted 67th Overall
In the third round, Seattle selected another centreman in Ryan Winterton. Winterton did not play in the OHL this season due to the shutdown but the previous year he put up 12 goals and 23 points in 53 games. Winterton has a shoot first mentality but the one detail all scouting reports made sure to point out is how aggressive he is on the backcheck. Winterton attacks relentlessly at the puck carrier until he is able to steal it and push the offense the other way. A natural centre but I could see him with an NHL future as a winger. Likely projects right now as a middle six forward.

RD - Ville Ottavainen - Drafted 99th Overall
An OHL defenseman who played in a reduced role this season in the Finish Liiga. A right shot defenseman who plays a steady defensive game. Doesn't move the puck particularly well but is a physical force to stop the opposition at the blue line. If he has an NHL future it is likely that of a bottom pairing defender.

RW - Jacob Melanson - Drafted 131st Overall
The right winger put up 19 points in the QMJHL this season in 18 games. Has dealt with two collarbone injuriesl the second time he broke it was in the exact same spot as the first. If he stayed healthy, he could have been as high as a second round pick but the injury history is a concern. If his injuries are behind him this is an aggressive forward who skates well and plays a smart game at a top speed.

G - Semyon Vyazovoi - Drafted 163rd Overall
The first goalie drafted by Seattle is Semyon Vyazovoi. Posted a 0.939SV% in the MHL in Russia in 26 games this season but had a disappointing run in the playoffs with 2 games played and a 0.837SV%. He is a bigger goalie at 6'3 but not massive like some in the NHL. There are big inconsistencies in his game and right now he isn't tracking for an NHL career but he will be a player to watch next season to see if he improves those deficiencies.

LW - Justin Janicke - Drafted 195th Overall
Quick skater who was utilized by the US National Development Team as a bottom six forward and PK specialist. Maybe could be a bottom six forward in the NHL but he lacks finish.

Ultimately I would say it was a fine if unspectacular draft for the Seattle Kraken. I expected this team to have potentially double the number of picks they had prior to the draft but the fact that Seattle didn't make a trade for any additional picks feels like a miss. Beniers should be an excellent player for Seattle for years to come and Ryan Winterton could be a solid role player in four or more years. Ryker Evans is a bit of a darkhorse because of the reach to take him but there is a chance this draft class will only have one for sure NHL player.

Seattle has it's 2021 Draft Class in the books and Ron Francis and his team will now look to Free Agency on Wednesday where hopefully they will make a big splash for the fans.
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