Top prospects for Seattle Kraken

NHL.com is providing in-depth roster, prospect and fantasy analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, the top five prospects for the Seattle Kraken, according to NHL.com.

1. Shane Wright, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 4 pick in 2022 NHL Draft

2022-23 season:Seattle (NHL): 8 GP, 1-1-2; Coachella Valley (AHL): 8 GP, 4-2-6; Windsor (OHL): 20 GP, 15-22-37

Wright (6-foot, 192 pounds) finished last season with nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 24 games in the Calder Cup Playoffs for Coachella Valley, which lost to Hershey 3-2 in overtime in Game 7 of the Calder Cup Finals.

"He got better in each series, and I think his best series was probably the final series, so that should give him a lot of confidence as moves forward into next year's camp," Kraken general manager Ron Francis said.

The question is where the 19-year-old will play this season. If he doesn't make the NHL, he must return to the Ontario Hockey League under the agreement with the Canadian Hockey League, unless the Kraken can get an exception for him to play in the American Hockey League.

Wright wants to be in Seattle.

"I've got to earn my spot," Wright said. "I've got to earn my ice time and prove and show to the coaches that I belong there."

Projected NHL arrival: This season

2. Ryker Evans, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 35 pick in 2021 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Coachella Valley (AHL): 71 GP, 6-38-44

The 21-year-old had 26 points (five goals, 21 assists) in 26 games in the Calder Cup Playoffs, 12 points more than any other defenseman in the American Hockey League. He tied for the lead in goals among defensemen with teammate Jimmy Schuldt.

This was after Evans (5-11, 189) led AHL rookies in assists and made the AHL All-Rookie Team in his first pro regular season.

Projected NHL arrival: This season

3. Tye Kartye, F

How acquired: Signed as free agent March 1, 2022

2022-23 season: Coachella Valley (AHL): 72 GP, 28-29-57

Kartye (5-11, 202) is an incredible story. The undrafted free agent went from the fourth line in Coachella Valley to leading AHL rookies in points and being the AHL rookie of the year.

When the Kraken lost Jared McCann to an injury in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Kartye was called up to fill in on the first line, and he scored on his first shot in his NHL debut, a 3-2 win at the Colorado Avalanche in Game 5 of the Western Conference First Round on April 26.

The 22-year-old had five points (three goals, two assists) in 10 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and eight points (six goals, two assists) in 18 games in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

"He worked really hard last summer," Francis said. "He got to Coachella. He was constantly asking the coaches, 'What can I do to make myself better?'"

Projected NHL arrival:This season

4. Eduard Sale, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 20 pick in 2023 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Brno (Czech): 43 GP, 7-7-14

Sale (6-2, 174) helped Czechia win silver at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship with six points (one goal, five assists) in seven games. He was rookie of the year in the Czech Extraliga.

The 18-year-old impressed in fitness testing at development camp.

"To have a first-round pick that comes in ready off the ice, that's really exciting," Kraken director of player development Jeff Tambellini said.

Sale still wants to gain more weight, however.

"Good skater, playmaker, skill guy, and making players around me better," Sale said. "I need more kilos, and we'll see."

Projected NHL arrival: 2025-26

5. Jagger Firkus F

How acquired: Selected with No. 35 pick in 2022 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Moose Jaw (WHL): 66 GP, 40-48-88

Firkus (5-10, 153) had 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 10 playoff games for Moose Jaw in the Western Hockey League.

"It was just me having fun, I guess, honestly," Firkus said. "Playoffs are the best time of the year, I think."

The 19-year-old needs to keep developing to bring his skill to the NHL.

"I want to get faster," Firkus said. "I want to get bigger. I want to get stronger. It's a pretty nonchalant answer, but I mean, that's want I want to do -- just getting bigger, stronger, faster -- and leadership qualities [are] big for me as well."

Projected NHL arrival: Next season