Also in this story: a scouting report on Kraken defensive prospect Caden Price.
The Seattle Kraken still have a realistic chance of moving “up” to 3rd overall in this June’s NHL Draft. Moving from their current 6th spot to 3rd would also increase their odds of winning the Draft Lottery, scheduled for either May 5 or May 6.
With 10 games left in their season, Seattle – by virtue of Tuesday’s overtime loss in Calgary – sits at 66 standings points. But the Kraken have the league’s second-hardest remaining schedule, as compiled by Tankathon.com. Meanwhile, 5th draft position Philadelphia (65 points) has the NHL’s easiest remaining schedule.
4th draft position Buffalo (64 points) has two more remaining games than do the Kraken, and beat playoff-bound Ottawa on Tuesday. 3rd draft position Nashville, with better personnel than their record, upset red-hot Carolina on Tuesday. It’s not inconceivable that the Flyers, Sabres and Predators could all finish stronger down the stretch than the Kraken do.
Kraken Prospect Caden ‘Swiss Army Knife’ Price
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Had Kraken prospect Caden Price remained with the last-place Kelowna Rockets, his Western Hockey League junior season would now be over. But the 3rd round Seattle Kraken draft pick in 2023 was traded mid-season to the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Lethbridge finished with 42 wins compared to Kelowna’s 18, which means the Hurricanes, and Price, will open a WHL playoff series with Brandon on Friday.
“It’s been a whirlwind of a year for me, starting in Kelowna, getting a chance to play for Canada (at the IIHF world junior championship), then getting traded off to Lethbridge here at the trade deadline,” Price said to the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix.
For his two teams combined, the 6-foot-1, 185 pound defenseman totaled nine goals and 34 assists in 57 games. Lethbridge GM Peter Anholt says the trade has been a positive for Price’s development. “We felt he tried to do too much when he was in Kelowna, and that affected his game. But once he was with us at world juniors, he played a real smart and honest game. He’s a bit of a Swiss Army knife. He’s good at a lot of things and not really great at anything, but he’s really good at everything.”
Anholt continued his scouting report. “His legs are really good. He skates well. He can beat forwards up the ice. He can be efficient on breakouts. He’s a really important add for us.”
Of ‘Tips & T-Birds
FYI, another WHL 1st round playoff series is an all-Puget Sound affair, with the top team in the Western Conference, the Everett Silvertips (48-12-8), taking on the 8th-seeded Seattle Thunderbirds (30-33-5). If you’d like to take in any of the series, Everett plays at the Angel Of The Winds Arena. Seattle home games are at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent.
Game 1 – Fri., Mar. 28 – SEA @ EVT
Game 2 – Sat., Mar. 29 – SEA @ EVT
Game 3 – Tue., Apr. 1 – EVT @ SEA
Game 4 – Fri., Apr. 4 – EVT @ SEA
If necessary:
Game 5 – Sat., Apr. 5 – SEA @ EVT
Game 6 – Mon., Apr. 7 – EVT @ SEA
Game 7 – Tue., Apr. 8 – SEA @ EVT