As the Seattle Kraken await tonight’s 1st round of the 2025 NHL Draft (4 pm Seattle time, ESPN), they continue to reap rewards from previous drafts.
2024 1st round choice Berkly Catton (above photo) and 2022 4th round selection Tyson Jugnauth were named to the Canadian Hockey League 2nd All Star Team. The CHL is the umbrella junior hockey organization which comprises the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL. Here’s the league’s writeup on the pair of Kraken prospects.
Berkly Catton (Forward, WHL Spokane Chiefs): “38 goals, 71 assists, 109 points, +46 in 57 games during the 2024-25 season. A CHL Second-Team All-Star for a second consecutive season, Catton won the CHL Sportsman of the Year award after posting 109 points and a career-low 30 penalty minutes in 57 games. The 19-year-old from Saskatoon finished third in WHL scoring during the regular season and led all CHL players with 42 points in 20 playoff games.”
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Tyson Jugnauth (Defense, WHL Portland Winterhawks): “13 goals, 76 assists, 89 points, +9 in 65 games during the season.
“Named WHL Defenseman of the Year; led WHL defensemen with 89 points in 65 games, third-highest total by a CHL blueliner in 2024-25. The 21-year-old from Kelowna, B.C., also led all CHL blueliners with 76 assists, and ranked first among WHL skaters with 35 power-play helpers.”
Kraken Pattern Forming
A through line is visible from moves orchestrated by the Seattle Kraken’s new general manager, and two hockey insiders have noticed.
Jason Botterill’s trade for Dallas forward Mason Marchment fulfills a need for Seattle “to be a tougher team to play against,” says Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravelli.
If the addition doesn’t result in a playoff berth, Seravelli adds “they’ve now bought themselves, basically for free using cap space, a great trade chip for the deadline. So they could get way more back for Marchment, especially if they’re willing to retain some (salary) next March, than they gave up to get him now.”
“Botterill’s modus operandi is to make this team tougher to play against, give it a little bit of identity,” ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski agreed in a KIRO-AM interview.
Wyshynski was referencing the acquisition of Marchment, the hiring of coach Lane Lambert, and the departure of three-season Kraken forward Andre Burakovsky.
Bye, Bye Bura
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“(Burakovsky) wasn’t a good fit and clearly couldn’t stay healthy,” said the ESPN analyst, who described the trade as “an incredible piece of business” by Botterill, noting that Seattle didn’t have to retain any of the winger’s salary.
By the way, Burakovsky summed up his three seasons in Seattle to NHL.com. “I think it started off really good in my first season and then I got injured. Then the next year more injuries. Then last year was a bit of a struggle coming back from those injuries, but I think I finished the season, after the trade deadline, very well.”
Who might the Kraken target next? Wyshynski suggested restricted free agent Marco Rossi of Minnesota, a talented young center who’s clashed with Wild coaches and management. The Kraken, of course, aren’t in need of centers – they just acquired a Minnesota Wild center in Freddy Gaudreau – but Rossi serves as an example.
“It’s going to be any player where the team he’s with isn’t in love with him, where teams are debating whether or not to go long (on a new contract), and you’re willing to give him the contract he’s looking for.”
Out From Lou’s Shadow
Having covered Lambert’s previous coaching stint with the New York Islaners, Wyshynski called him “not the greatest public ambassador for a franchise. Not a ’10’ on the charisma scale. He’s not going to hit you with quips and anecdotes.”
Greg suggested that Lambert may have more of a chance to put his own stamp on the Kraken than he was able under former Isles’ GM Lou Lamoriello. “It’s Lou’s team and you’re going to do whatever Lou wants.”