Thursday’s prospect-for-prospect swap demonstrated again the willingness of Seattle Kraken GM Jason Botterill to lean on his lieutenants.
The prospects were both 2022 draftees; 2nd rounder David Goyette heading to Philadelphia in exchange for 3rd rounder Devin Kaplan. The Flyers general manager who chose Kaplan is now-Kraken senior advisor Chuck Fletcher. Fletcher is considered a good judge of amateur talent.
The Morning Call said on draft day, “Kaplan fits the mold of the big body power forward that Chuck Fletcher loves to draft. Excelling in the transition game and along the boards, Kaplan makes great use of his frame, muscling his opponents off the puck completely while being tough to knock off in his own right.”
(After Botterill hired Patrik Allvin as assistant GM this summer, imposing 6-foot-9 forward Curtis Douglas was signed as a free agent. Allvin was Vancouver Canucks GM when Douglas played there last season.)
Kaplan’s Path To Seattle
The Kraken list Kaplan at 6-foot-2, 199 pounds. Other sources put the 22-year-old forward at 6-3, 205. A New Jersey native, he’s been on skates since “I was four or five. I was always at the rink, following my older brothers and going to their lessons. I fell in love with it, and my parents decided to put me on the ice.”
He attended three Philadelphia development camps from 2022-24. The first was in front of then-Flyers coach John Tortorella. “He spoke to us as a group,” Kaplan recalled. “Seeing him for the first time, I got goosebumps. He’s a legendary coach, and it was the cherry on top for me.”
Another memory was sharing a conversation with John LeClair, nine seasons a Flyer as part of a 967-game NHL career. ”I talked to John after practice about net front habits, things I can take with me back to school. Small details that’ll help me become a better power forward.”
The school Devin referenced was Boston University, where he played three seasons for the Terriers. Kaplan collected 25 goals and 64 points in 115 games, including scoring on the first shot of his collegiate career.
What Kaplan Brings To Kraken
Flyers assistant GM Brent Flahr said Kaplan, “Has the look of a potential NHL role player; his size, ability to cycle and hold onto the puck. As he gets bigger and stronger, he’s going to be hard to play against, especially around the net.”
The Hockey News described Kaplan last year as a “right-shot winger who plays a direct, north-south game with bite. He’s physical, responsible defensively, and isn’t afraid to engage in the dirty areas.
“Kaplan affects the game in ways that go beyond the stat sheet. He’s relentless on the forecheck, makes smart plays along the wall, and he’s known for a work ethic that coaches love. Think of him as a potential Swiss Army knife: not someone you build your top six around just yet, but a guy who can thrive in a variety of roles and earn trust quickly.”
On the last day of the 2024-25 season, Kaplan played his first and so far only NHL game. He skated 16 shifts, 12:12 TOI, and was credited with one hit against Buffalo. His rookie 2025-26 season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Flyers AHL affiliate, was limited to 49 games. He underwent surgery in March, 2026 to treat an upper body issue.
Changing Allegiances
Growing up in Jersey, Devin became a New York Rangers fan. It’s also not surprising older brother Jalen was a Flyers fan. Their Bridgewater, NJ home is actually much closer to Xfinity Mobile Arena than Madison Square Garden.
When the pick was announced, his brother happily hugged Kaplan, who turned to him and said, “Philly, baby!” Kaplan later confirmed for reporters, “I’m all Philly.”
As of this week, he’s all Kraken. Kaplan is expected to join the AHL Coachella Valley Firebirds, perhaps in time for Friday’s season-opener against Ontario.
Earlier Kraken:
— Aggressive Kraken Start Fast; Douse Flames 6-1
