Whatever the roster-building shortcomings of ex-Seattle Kraken general manager Ron Francis, prospect analysts have almost universally lauded his draft hauls. (Current GM Jason Botterill has received similarly high marks for his 2025 and 2026 drafts.)
However, unlike the NFL draft, where players have three, four, sometimes five years to refine their game and grow into their bodies, hockey players are drafted at or around age 18.
When a 200-pound NHL vet comes barreling towards a rookie, the kid needs the muscle to absorb and return the collision. Or, the speed and awareness to avoid the contact in the first place. As well, they need coaching to unlearn amateur hockey habits, where they learned to succeed on skill alone. That takes time, too.
Unless you’re a Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini or Matthew Shaefer, even highly skilled teens aren’t jumping straight to the NHL. Without exception, Kraken picks cite the need to “get stronger” and master “little details.” Only years of pro instruction – and frequenting the weight room – turns skilled teens into NHL-ready men.
Kraken Prospect Exhibit A
Jagger Firkus, 2nd round draftee in 2022, is a perfect example. Sunday in Calgary, a tough-to-handle, deflected cross-ice pass came rolling on edge to Firkus. The 22-year-old confidently refused to be satisfied settling the puck down. Using superior hand-eye coordination, he managed to send a one-timer both on goal, and in the goal. That raw talent made a Firkus a 61-goal scorer in the WHL, and attracted the Kraken.
“As an AHL sophomore,” writes Alex Wyatt of Dobber Prospects, “he contributed 21 goals and 35 assists in 63 games, and the underlying numbers are great as well. According to Instat, he was in the 90th percentile or higher for all the important offensive categories: goals, assists, points, primary assists (68%) and shots on goal.”
Meanwhile, the 5-11, 170 pound forward has gained 10 pounds of muscle from when he joined the Moose Jaw Warriors. Also, his off-the-puck, 200-foot game has taken strides. Vital, because offense alone – no matter how much a goal-challenged team may need it – doesn’t cut it in the NHL. Four years after being drafted, Firkus’ Kraken time is finally coming, and he’s not alone.
Wyatt of Dobber Prospects is primed for the payoff he predicts is coming. “The build has been slow, and now it’s time to start graduating some of the prospect pipeline to the NHL. To this end, the Kraken have a slew of AHL players ready to start making their mark in the NHL. This is still a fun young team to get behind and be excited for.”
