What’s Kraken: Seattle general manager Jason Botterill tells NHL.com that “There’s a possibility we could have seven or eight forwards 23-and-under on opening night.”
Kraken Reaction: A qualified “Hallelujah!”
Why “hallelujah?” Because this is what successful expansion franchises should transition toward in their sixth season. This is why the last three non-playoff seasons should be looked at in retrospect as placeholders.
Unlike the NFL, where prospects get three-plus years of big-time college experience before they’re drafted, hockey players are picked at 18 years old, sometimes 17. With rare exceptions, even 1st rounders won’t ripen for several years. Now, the harvesting is ready to begin in earnest.
Kraken Should Follow Example Of Division Rivals
Why “qualified?” Because it’s not enough to have youngsters make the roster. They also have to play significant minutes, and yes, make mistakes as part of the learning process. The lengthy playoff droughts in Edmonton, Anaheim and San Jose were endured to allow talented youngsters to grow together through on-the-job training.
That patience is now bearing fruit for all three of Seattle’s Pacific Division rivals. Botterill, if he hasn’t already, must communicate to Lane Lambert that the coach won’t be penalized for using the under-23s in crucial game situations – 2026-27 wins and losses be damned. And once given that directive, Lambert mustn’t shelter his kids in search of a few ultimately meaningless standings points.
Prediction: Kraken fans will willingly support another non-playoffs season, IF the team communicates and follows through on a coherent overarching strategy. It’s what fans have been clamoring for. Besides, who knows; maybe the kiddie corps will produce results ahead of schedule.
Kraken Coach Deserves (Conditional) Longer Leash
“There’s a better cohesiveness between our coaching staff and our players,” Botterill said in the NHL.com interview, “just from the standpoint of they know what to expect from Lane, what the system is. It’s not like we’re starting from ground zero like we did last season.”
Actually, the ground zero Kraken players started from the last two seasons. Coach Dave Hakstol ran training camp in 2023, coach Dan Bylsma in 2024, and Lambert in 2025. Younger players crave (and deserve) continuity even more than veterans. That’s another reason to extend Lambert a longer leash, on the condition he fully embraces the youth movement.
Two Examples Of Under-23 Kraken Who Could Benefit
This directive should apply to both players already on the Kraken roster and those ready for the chance. In the first group is 22-year-old Shane Wright.
Back in 2020, Seahawks fans implored the NFL team to “Let Russ Cook,” meaning more freedom to operate for quarterback Russell Wilson. Well, it’s time to “Let Shane Cook,” at least until he’s traded. Show Wright the confidence he’s been hungry to receive – big minutes, big situations for the 4th overall pick in 2022.
If what Shane cooks is indigestible, you at least won’t be left wondering what could have been. But what if Wright responds by preparing a feast? Occasionally, the best trades are the ones you don’t make.
In the second group is 2023 2nd round pick Oscar Fisker Mølgaard, 21, who played his first 13 NHL games last season.
“Fisker Molgaard is an over-ripe all-around forward,” says Alexander MacLean of Dobber Hockey, “who could play up or down the lineup for the Kraken. He might have even been ready last season from a well-roundedness perspective.”
Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff concurs. “His reliable, two-way game will allow him to stick in the NHL for many years to come. It feels like watching a younger Lars Eller.
“Sure, Fisker Mølgaard might not be a high-end prospect, but he has a clear path to the NHL.”
As long as the Kraken remove the training wheels.
Earlier Kraken:
— Seattle Hockey Reporter’s Notebook
Earlier Canucks:
— No Kraken, Canucks Centers In The NHL Top-20
Seattle TV play-by-play man John Forslund talked about the very subject discussed in this story during our interview with him on Friday, among other things …
