Top prospects for Seattle Kraken

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 8-Sept. 8. Today, the top five prospects for the Seattle Kraken, according to NHL.com.

Kraken 32 in 32: [Season preview | 3 Questions | Fantasy breakdown]

1. Matty Beniers, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 2 pick in 2021 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Seattle (NHL): 10 GP, 3-6-9; Michigan (NCAA): 37 GP, 20-23-43
The first player drafted by the Kraken, the 19-year-old had a busy 2021-22, first at the University of Michigan, then with the United States at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship in December and at the 2022 Beijing Olympics in February. He finished it by making his NHL debut April 12.
Beniers (6-foot-2, 175 pounds) brings a strong two-way, high-compete game in which he can complement players and drive a line while pushing the pace. He produced in his short stint last season and helped elevate Seattle's offensive numbers; the Kraken averaged 2.90 goals per game and converted at 17.2 percent on the power play with him, compared to 2.56 goals per game and 14.1 percent on the power play in their first 72 games.
The challenge now is for him to play an 82-game NHL season, but coach Dave Hakstol is confident Beniers is ready.
"He just came in (last season) and he looked comfortable," Hakstol said. "Obviously under a fair bit of spotlight in Seattle, he came in and he played very well. He's very comfortable with who he is as a person, as a player, [and] that showed on the ice. He's ready to be in the NHL."
Projected NHL arrival: This season

2. Shane Wright, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 4 pick in 2022 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Kingston (OHL): 63 GP, 32-62-94
The Kraken see a lot of similarities between Wright and general manager Ron Francis, a Hall of Fame center and the No. 4 pick of the 1981 NHL Draft by the Hartford Whalers.
"Ron had amazing hockey sense on the ice, and he'll even tell you he wasn't the fastest player out there, but had just a great vision and being in the right spot at the right time all the time and that's what we see a lot of times with Shane," assistant general manager Jason Botterill said. "We see the ability to create chances on his own but make players around him better too."
Hakstol called Wright (6-0, 185) "an outstanding fit" who as a right-handed shot will be a nice complement to Beniers, a left-shot center, when the 18-year-old cracks the NHL lineup.
Though there are no guarantees, Hakstol and Botterill each said Wright will be given every opportunity to open the season with the Kraken.
Projected NHL arrival: This season

3. Ryker Evans, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 35 pick in 2021 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Regina (WHL): 63 GP, 14-47-61
Evans was seventh in scoring among Western Hockey League defensemen last season and agreed to a three-year, entry-level contract April 22. He joined Charlotte of the American Hockey League on an amateur tryout contract after his WHL season ended, and though the 20-year-old did not play during the Calder Cup Playoffs, he impressed with his confidence and coachability.
Botterill said Evans (5-11, 189) will need time to adjust to the pro game, but because of his strong skating it should go smoothly and lead to him eventually playing good minutes in the NHL.
"I think the biggest thing that just jumps out with Ryker's game is just his skating ability," Botterill said. "I think he is a high-end NHL skater already. ... He's a smart defender but his skating allows him to close things out quickly. I think he can contribute offensively and a lot of it is because of his ability to get up with the rush and support the rush."
Projected NHL arrival: Next season

4. Jagger Firkus, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 35 pick in 2022 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Moose Jaw (WHL): 66 GP, 36-44-80
Firkus has the kind of finishing ability and scoring touch that will complement a center like Beniers or Wright. The 18-year-old led Moose Jaw in scoring while showcasing a creative game, including

that earned him the nickname The Firkus Circus.
"He has confidence in his scoring ability and brings a flair, energy to game that's fun to watch," Botterill said. "Just in our brief time so far interacting with him in our organization you can certainly see that he is a driven individual to try and find a way to get to the National Hockey League."
It make take some time for Firkus (5-10, 153) to reach the NHL because he has to add some weight and strength, but he has shown that he can find ways to create scoring opportunities, finish his chances and play with pace.
Projected NHL arrival: 2025-26 season

5. Ryan Winterton, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 67 pick in 2021 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Hamilton (OHL): 37 GP, 20-26-46
Winterton brings size (6-2, 175) to the Kraken's prospect pool, but it's his two-way game and flexibility that are most impressive.
Despite missing three months last season because of a shoulder injury, the 18-year-old finished strong, with 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) in 18 Ontario Hockey League playoff games and six points (three goals, three assists) in five games to help Hamilton reach the championship game of the Memorial Cup.
Winterton also has shown he can contribute no matter where he plays in the lineup. He had four points (two goals, two assists) in seven games in a more defensive-minded role to help Canada win the 2021 IIHF Under-18 World Championship.
He will miss the start of the season recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, but the Kraken remain high on Winterton, who has compared his game to that of Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron.
"I think [Bergeron] is certainly a good player for Ryan to look at and [Ryan] has some of the attributes that we certainly are intrigued by," Botterill said. "And the fact that a lot of people can say that they can handle different roles, Ryan's gone out and proven it."
Projected NHL arrival: 2024-25