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SI Cover Worth Dreaming About

Left: 2014 SI Cover; Right: Photo by Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

As Roy Orbison so wisely advised us,

Dream
When you’re feeling blue
Dream
That’s the thing to do
Things never are as bad as they seem
So dream, dream, dream

Since the Seattle Kraken present feels bleaker than a January Puget Sound forecast, let’s focus at least for a few moments on the possibilities of a brighter future.

For those who know the Houston Astros saga, yes, cheating was part of their path to the 2017 World Series title. And no, I’m not suggesting the Kraken bring a metal trash can onto the bench so they can whack it with their sticks during an opposition power play.

The takeaway is that even through three straight 100-loss seasons, the Astros were stockpiling a dynamic collection of young prospects. Sports Illustrated noticed in 2014 (above left magazine image), and correctly predicted what those prospects would achieve three years later.

Full disclosure – SI hasn’t actually produced the Kraken cover above next to the Astros one. But it wouldn’t be all that far-fetched if they did. Once enough Kraken prospects have finished baking in juniors, in Europe, and at AHL Coachella Valley, a Stanley Cup parade at the Space Needle a few seasons later isn’t out of the question.

That’s how good general manager Ron Francis’ four drafts to date have been. Whatever his other failings, fans calling for his head should keep that in mind. The silver lining to Seattle’s 2024-25 swoon is high placement at the ’25 NHL Draft this June, and the chance to add another blue-chipper (or several).

Joey Daccord stopped 31 of 33 Pittsburgh shots Tuesday in a 4-2 Kraken victory. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

A trio of today’s young Kraken will be veteran leaders by 2028 – Matty Beniers, Shane Wright, Ryker Evans. Just as the new crop of youngsters will be elevated by this trio, a better supporting cast will also raise the game of Messrs. Beniers, Wright and Evans.

Brandon Montour will be the elder statesman who knows how a Cup is won. And bet against Joey Daccord at your own peril. After his sparkling showing in Pittsburgh Tuesday, Daccord’s 2.47 GAA and .914 save percentage are both 9th best in the NHL.

Which wunderkinders could join these stalwarts, providing future balm to the wounds of Kraken fans?

On Fire At AHL Coachella Valley

Not all of the young players listed below will become NHL stars. Not all of them will even stick in the NHL. Not all of them have to. There’s enough talent here that some will surely make noise at the major league level. “These are the next wave of Seattle Kraken,” CV coach Derek Laxdal told The Desert Sun earlier this season.

Ty Nelson (D). Laxdal calls the 5-foot-10, 198 pound Nelson, “A bulldog. He’s powerful. He’s energetic. He’s exciting to watch.”

Ville Ottavainen (D). The Desert Sun wrote last May, “Ottavainen has been one of the most reliable players on the team, finishing third in plus-minus.”

Firebirds forward Jagger Firkus.
Taya Gray/The Desert Sun/USA TODAY NETWORK

Jagger Firkus (F). The CHL’s #1 scorer last season, the “Firkus Circus” had a goal in his Firebirds debut. “I like to shoot pucks,” he told The Desert Sun, “and with my shot, there’s not really a lot of bad shots.”

Ryan Winterton (F). “He’s found some confidence in his game. He’s scored a couple of shorthanded goals,” says Laxdal.

Lleyton Roed (F). “Among the fastest players on the team with the puck,” says The Desert Sun.

Jani Nyman (F). “Large-bodied, goal-scoring winger who drives the net and works the boards well,” says Dobber Prospects. Kraken coach Dan Bylsma loved his shot in training camp. He scored an overtime game-winner to beat San Diego Jan. 6.

David Goyette (F). “Exceptional skater with a technically sound stride and the ability to weave through traffic,” says Dobber Prospects. “Could take a while to reach the NHL but has potential as a playmaking top-six forward.”

A World Of Potential Future Kraken

Other potential fixtures in Seattle showed their wares at the 2025 World Juniors in Ottawa earlier this month. Thumbnail reports come from prospect experts Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff and Scott Wheeler of The Athletic.

Forward Berkly Catton, GM Ron Francis & a plushie salmon at Kraken development camp last summer. @Jennthulhu_Photos

Berkly Catton (F), AHL Coachella Valley Firebirds. Ellis: “Skill and skating noticeable relative to his peers. Play creation was there. A couple of bad passes/sloppiness in big moments. Good in pre-tournament play but didn’t have the impact I expected in the tournament. There were semi-regular dashes, though, and I can’t say that about many good forwards.”

Eduard Sale (F), AHL Coachella Valley Firebirds. See our review of Sale’s outstanding tournament here.

Julius Miettinen (F), WHL Everett Silvertips. Ellis: “Quick hands. Played confidently with the puck. Tried things.”

Zeb Forsfjall (F), Sweden Skelleftea AIK: Wheeler: “Undersized two-way forward, excellent scoring depth. He likes playing in open spaces and has the speed to beat bigger opponents on the outside. Scouts liked his game with and without the puck.”

Jakub Fibigr (D), OHL Brampton Steelheads. Wheeler: “A huge impact early in the tournament, registering five points in two games. His puck-moving game is solid, even when he’s not generating plays. He still had the odd lapses of judgment trying to rush the puck. Still, a decent showing.”

Caden Price (D), WHL Lethbridge Hurricanes. Ellis: “Showed some poise. Made some plays under pressure. Blocked some shots. Pleasant surprise. Looked confident/attacked with the puck. Did set some bad gaps but played his off-side well. Stepped up and closed some gaps, too. Poise on the puck was there all tournament long.”

Carson Rehkopf (F), OHL Brampton Steelheads. Many felt Rehkopf didn’t get a fair shake from Team Canada at the WJC, playing just two games. This past Sunday, Rehkopf took it out on the Kitchener team which traded him last summer, scoring two goals plus an assist. Scoring & snarl would look good in Seattle, too.

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