Playoff hockey is in the midst of a prime skate for Kraken prospects of all stripes, from North America's major junior leagues to European professional leagues to the NCAA Division I men's hockey tournament. Welcome to Depth of the Sea: Playoffs Edition. In addition to our midweek recaps, we'll have occasional entries as we get deeper into the series and playoffs.
The future is now
Kraken fans need only watch Monday night in San Jose to see what the future holds for the team's pipeline. Shane Wright, a 2022 first-round pick (fourth overall), was called up by American Hockey League affiliate Coachella Valley on Sunday and immediately scored the game-winning goal in a 4-2 road win. Wright and Jordan Eberle played a perfect give-and-go during a 2-on-1 rush set up by an outlet pass from linemate Jaden Schwartz.
Even better, in the eyes of Seattle head coach Dave Hakstol, Wright included small but important details like facing off against the Kraken at the edge of the ice while defending a one-point lead in the third period. He was rated as having a positive game in all zones.
“The right guys were comfortable in the defensive zone,” said Hakstol, who liked the scoring opportunities the right line created throughout the game. “We used him on some of our D-zone draws. He dug in and did a good job there. Overall, it was a good first night out for him.”
Around this time last April, Wright was playing in the Ontario Hockey League playoffs. So are forwards Ryan Winterton and Logan Morrison, both of whom were called up from the Coachella Valley last week and gave the Kraken hockey operations group three strong home games and will spend time on the ice during this trip to California. The results were good enough to increase the number.
Track more than a dozen Kraken contenders in the playoffs
Looking ahead this spring, more than a dozen players are still playing postseason hockey, and a few others got a taste of playoff hockey before their teams were eliminated in the early rounds. Some prospects have left for the Coachella Valley after the season, including newly signed 2023 second-rounder and right-shot defenseman Lukas Dragicevic (whose Tri-City WHL team did not make the playoffs). I will report it.
All of the prospects given this impressive assignment, including the aforementioned Wright and Winterton, raved afterward about how much they learned from the coaching staff, led by AHL veterans and Stanley Cup winner Dan Bylsma.
This Just In: Finn Goalkeeper Coco Game 7 Victor
Kraken 2022 second-rounder Niklas Kokko found the back of the net on Tuesday for a decisive victory in the seventh game of the quarterfinals of Finland's top professional league, Liga. After his impressive performance at the 2024 World Junior Championship, Cocco's club Karpat loaned the 6ft 3in 20-year-old goalkeeper to the Lahti Pelicans franchise. Cocco clearly paid off for the Pelicans, posting a .926 save percentage in 13 regular season games and a .924 save percentage against IFK Helsinki, ending a seven-game winning series.
The Pelicans vs. IFK series was a real roller coaster. Cocco and the Pelicans won their first three games, but then lost three straight. Two of the losses, Games 4 and 6, were 2-1 losses in overtime, but Game 5 was Cocco's first loss in regulation since joining his new team in January. . Game 7 was tied at 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, and the Pelicans scored the winning goal with just over a minute left in regulation time. Cocco made 14 saves on Tuesday to halt the breakthrough.
Our leading scorer is in a big game this week.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, a pair of 2022 second-round picks, Jaguar Farkas (35th overall) and David Goyette (61st overall), will play for the team that leads in a best-of-seven format. Firkas, who led all skaters in the Western Hockey League with 126 points (61 goals, 65 assists in 63 games), had a goal and an assist for the Moose Jaw (SK) Warriors, who lead the series 2-0. , currently on an expedition to Manitoba. Continuing their first round series against the Brandon Wheat Kings. In 10 playoff games last spring, Firkas had 10 goals and 11 assists. Game 3 is on Tuesday.
Goyette finished with 117 points, 40 goals, and 77 assists in 63 games, making him the OHL's leading scorer and matching his future teammates. Goyette has two goals and one assist for his Sudbury Wolves, who won two road games to start the series against the Mississauga Steelheads, but withdrew from Game 3 at home on Monday. Game 4 is on Wednesday.
Speaking of leading scorers, Kelowna Rockets defenseman Kayden Price (2023, third round, 84th overall) is off to a strong start in the WHL playoffs with a league-leading five assists in just two games. ing. He and his Kelowna teammates will face first-year WHL franchise Wenatchee in Game 3 on Tuesday. To hear more from Mr. Price, check out Monday's interview session here.
loved over time
Just as a prospect, these prospects are all members of the team, like Wright, Winterton, Morrison, and, let's not forget, 2022-23 AHL Rookie of the Year Ty Carty. It is important to note that these are still teenagers who will develop and strengthen their potential NHL games. California desert firebird. So Goyette, who was drafted two summers ago, had just turned 20 in late March. Firkas will turn 20 in late April. Dragicevic is 18 years old, as is Price. Ty Nelson, whose North Bay team leads the series 2-1, was partially buoyed by his First Star of the Game performance in Game 1 against Kingston (next game is Tuesday). Ta. He just turned 20 in late March.
