We’ve entered draft week across the NHL, and as fans feverishly study up on this year’s class of eligible prospects, I thought it would be fun to look back and give grades to the Seattle Kraken’s four NHL Entry Drafts to date. Grading their drafts at this point is a little like judging a cooking competition halfway through meal prep. Sure, you can see where it’s going, but there’s still plenty of time for things to come together… or fall apart.

The Kraken are only four drafts into their existence, and many of the players they’ve selected are still in college, junior hockey, or just starting to scratch the surfaces of their pro careers. Still, with a few seasons of development in the books, we can start to evaluate trends, hits, misses, and what those drafts tell us about the Kraken’s performance to date. So, keeping in mind that there’s a lot of runway left for all the players they’ve selected, here’s a look at how the Kraken’s first four NHL Entry Drafts are shaping up.

2021 NHL Entry Draft

The Kraken’s first draft year featured the fewest picks they’ve ever had in a single draft, with just the seven standard selections. Matty Beniers looked like a smash hit after his 2022-23 Calder Trophy season but has cooled off since. He’s still very young and has another season or two before we’ll know whether he’s a true first-line center or if he’ll settle into a secondary role. Beniers did show some progress after the arrival of Kaapo Kakko, and it will be interesting to see how things play out next season. A few players from that class—Wyatt Johnston, Dylan Guenther, Matthew Knies, Luke Hughes—have shown flashes, but nobody has pulled away as a bona fide superstar just yet.

Outside of the first round, Ryker Evans is showing a lot of promise. He hasn’t established himself as a high-end defenseman, but he’s only had one full NHL season. Ryan Winterton looked to be on a great trajectory in 2023-24, and while expectations were high that we’d see more of him in the NHL, he’s technically ahead of schedule. He’s already played 21 NHL games, 19 more than the next-most games played by a third-round pick from that draft.

Both Ville Ottavainen and Jacob Melanson made their NHL debuts during the 2024-25 season, each appearing in one game. Meanwhile, Semyon Vyazovoi, a longshot seventh-round goalie from Russia, is starting to look less like a longshot after a strong year in the KHL that included some big-time performances. Lastly, Justin Janicke, another seventh-rounder, signed an AHL deal with Coachella Valley. The odds are always long for players taken after Round 2, but at this point, every Kraken pick from this draft has exceeded expectations.

Overall Grade: B+
Beniers’ future as a top center remains TBD, but the overall draft class is tracking well above average, especially for the later rounds.

2022 NHL Entry Draft

The 2022 draft was a busy one for the Kraken, and the most memorable moment was Shane Wright unexpectedly falling to them at No. 4. In Wright’s first full NHL season (2024-25), he showed encouraging progression. He finished with 19 goals and 25 assists, but the real optimism comes from his growth as the season went on—averaging just 0.25 points per game in his first 20 games, and 0.66 the rest of the way. Even with hindsight, the Kraken would still take him at No. 4.

Outside of Wright, Jani Nyman was the only other player to appear in more than one NHL game, putting up three goals in 12 games late in the season. He looked the part of an NHLer, and it’d be a surprise if he doesn’t play at least 60 games next season. Jagger Firkus, Niklas Kokko, and Ty Nelson all had strong seasons with Coachella Valley and remain on solid development paths.

Folks. Jani Nyman’s First NHL Goal. It’s a beauty set up by the captain (his third primary helper of the game) #SeaKraken pic.twitter.com/caLxRtKnYo

— Alison (@AlisonL) March 13, 2025

David Goyette, meanwhile, had a bit of a rollercoaster first pro season. After two 40-goal seasons in the OHL, fans hoped to see more than six goals in his AHL rookie year. That said, nothing was particularly concerning—he’s just on a learning curve.

NCAA prospects Ben MacDonald (Harvard) and Barret Hall (St. Cloud) are both producing steadily at the collegiate level.

Overall Grade: B
Most picks are tracking nicely, and 2025-26 will be a telling year for this class.

2023 NHL Entry Draft

Even the most optimistic Kraken fan has to feel a little nervous about Eduard Šalé, Seattle’s first-rounder in 2023. Nobody expected him to have reached the NHL yet, but his 2023-24 OHL season was underwhelming, and while he had a strong start to his 2024-25 AHL campaign, his performance tapered off later in the season. To be fair, he was a 19-year-old in the AHL, extremely young for that league, so it’s way too early to write him off. He also was outstanding in the IIHF World Junior Championship, scoring six goals and two assists as the captain of Team Czechia, so there is still plenty of potential.

Seattle’s second- and third-rounders, however, are trending nicely. Carson Rehkopf capped a fantastic OHL career and is poised to take a big step this season. Oscar Fisker Mølgaard had another excellent year in the SHL and is coming to North America for 2025-26.

Further down the draft board, most players are developing as expected, but it’s still too early to make firm calls either way.

Overall Grade: C+
Rehkopf and Mølgaard help the grade, but concern about Šalé weighs heavily. You have to hit on first-rounders.

2024 NHL Entry Draft

Okay, yes, it’s extremely premature to assign a grade to the 2024 draft class. But we’re doing it anyway. Kraken fans have to love what they’ve seen from Berkly Catton. It’s not just the points or goal scoring—he’s showing signs of becoming a well-rounded, play-driving center who takes pride in his game at both ends of the ice. He’s done all he can do in the WHL, and since the AHL isn’t an option, most expect him in the NHL this season.

Julius Miettinen showed a ton of promise in the first half of the season with Everett, but an injury at World Juniors kept him out most of the second half. He looked good when he returned, but it would’ve been nice to see a full campaign.

One big early surprise is Nathan Villeneuve, a physical, fearless player who stood out in preseason. In fact, in four years of watching Kraken prospects in exhibition games, Villeneuve was one of the first who looked like he actually belonged.

Wow! Nathan Villeneuve with a rocket one-timer!

Bjorkstrand sets him up, and the youngster gets a pretty goal and a nice little “sheath the sword” celly. #SeaKraken

4-1 Flames. pic.twitter.com/MGPsw9XY0c

— Sound Of Hockey (@sound_hockey) September 23, 2024

Further down the list, Alexis Bernier and Kim Saarinen took strong steps forward, while Oliver Josephson, Clarke Caswell, and Jakub Fibigr all had solid seasons.

Overall Grade: A-
Yes, it’s early. But Catton’s play and Villeneuve’s trajectory have Kraken fans rightfully excited.

Final thoughts

Four drafts in, it’s clear the Kraken are building with patience and purpose. They’ve managed to find value in nearly every round and haven’t missed wildly on any picks, though Šalé’s trajectory will be important to monitor. The foundation is there. The real question now is how Seattle can turn its impressive group of prospects into regular NHL contributors and a contending roster in the future.

As the 2025 draft approaches, the pipeline is in a healthy spot, but the next wave needs to start arriving in full. The Kraken don’t just need young players, they need young impact players. Time will tell which names from these early drafts step into that spotlight.

NORTHFIELD, Minn. – After five seasons as the head coach of the St. Olaf College men’s hockey program, Eddie Effinger has stepped down to accept another head coaching position and former assistant coach Tyler Lindstrom has been elevated to head coach, as announced by Director of Athletics, Kelly Mahlum on Friday.
 
After leading St. Olaf to the most successful stretch in program history, Effinger stepped down to accept the head coach position at Amherst College, his alma mater. Lindstrom, who has been Effinger’s top assistant coach for the last three seasons, was named Effinger’s successor heading into the 2025-26 season and is just the seventh head coach for the program since 1958-59.
 
“Eddie has made a lasting impact on the men’s hockey program during his time on the Hill,” Mahlum said. “He not only built a nationally-competitive program but also prioritized developing the people around him – his assistant coaches and student-athletes. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with Eddie over the past five years and wish him and his family all the best in his next chapter.”
 
During his five seasons at St. Olaf, Effinger led the Oles to a record of 54-49-11 (.522) and four consecutive seasons with double-digit wins after his first season was reduced to two games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He guided the program to Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Playoff appearances in each of his four full seasons, including two of the program’s three MIAC Playoff titles in 2021-22 and 2023-24, which led to two of the three NCAA Tournament appearances in program history. Effinger’s .522 winning percentage is the highest in program history of any coach (minimum three seasons) and the program’s 53 wins over the last four seasons is the highest total for a four-year stretch in program history.
 
“St. Olaf College and St. Olaf Athletics have meant the world to my family and I,” Effinger said. “From our first day on the Hill, the St. Olaf community welcomed and embraced us. I will be forever grateful to the countless individuals that have supported me and our hockey program over the past five years. I want to thank President Susan Rundell Singer, Kelly Mahlum, and Ryan Bowles for the opportunity and their mentorship. Most importantly, I want to thank our current and former players for the impact they have had on the program and me personally.”
 
At St. Olaf, Effinger coached one two-time USCHO.com First Team West All-American, one two-time All-USCHO honoree, one USCHO All-Rookie selection, eight All-MIAC honorees, six MIAC All-Playoff Team choices, and the program’s first-ever MIAC Defensive Player of the Year. His teams also excelled academically producing 65 Academic All-MIAC honorees, 32 American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) All-American Scholars, 10 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honorees, and one two-time MIAC Elite 22 Award recipient.
 
After joining Effinger’s staff prior to the 2022-23 season, Lindstrom has helped St. Olaf to a 42-33-8 (.554) record over the last three seasons, as well as three consecutive MIAC Playoff appearances. The Oles have advanced to the semifinals of the MIAC Playoffs in each of his three seasons, including the program’s third-ever MIAC Playoff title and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2023-24. St. Olaf was the runner-up in the MIAC Playoffs in 2024-25.
 
“I am incredibly excited and honored to be named the head coach of St. Olaf men’s hockey,” Lindstrom said. “I’d like to thank Kelly Mahlum for trusting me with this opportunity and look forward to leading our student-athletes in this new role. I truly believe that St. Olaf is the best place to play Division III hockey in the country. The program will continue to compete for championships while offering some of the best educational opportunities in the country. This place is special and will continue to provide elite experiences for our student-athletes.”
 
During his time at St. Olaf, the program has produced one two-time American Hockey Coaches Association First Team West All-American, one Sid Watson Award finalist (national player of the year), one MIAC Defensive Player of the Year, one two-time All-USCHO honoree, and one All-DIIIHockeyNews.com selection. St. Olaf has also had seven All-MIAC honorees and six MIAC All-Playoff Team selections in Lindstrom’s three seasons.
 
“I would like to thank Eddie for everything he has done for me personally and for the St. Olaf program as a whole,” Lindstrom added. “He is a tremendous person and leader who will be missed in our program and across campus. Eddie is also someone who I am fortunate to call a friend and mentor, and I can’t thank him enough for giving me my start in coaching three years ago. He has built the program into what it is today, and I am honored to continue to build on all of the success he has had.”
 
In addition to the on-ice success, St. Olaf’s program has excelled academically with 25 AHCA All-America Scholars, 38 Academic All-MIAC honorees, and 12 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honorees during Lindstrom’s time on staff.
 
“I am pleased to announce Tyler Lindstrom as the new head coach of our men’s hockey program,” Mahlum said. “Tyler brings an exceptional work ethic, proven coaching expertise, and a strong track record in recruiting top-level talent. He understands and holds the values we carry in Ole Athletics, with a clear commitment to both academic and athletic excellence. I am confident he will have a positive impact on our student-athletes, and I am excited to see him continue the program’s upward success.”
 
Prior to his time on the Hill, Lindstrom played in 100 games over his five-year career at NCAA Division III Curry College in Milton, Mass. and, after graduating from Curry in 2021 with a bachelor of arts in business management, worked as a scout for the New England Wolves of the Eastern Hockey League (EHL). Lindstrom went on to earn his MBA in May 2022. Originally from Brooklyn Park, Minn., he played high school hockey at the Breck School. Lindstrom has also coached the U15/U18 teams for the Neponset Valley Rats, served as the program director for Base Elite, and worked as a skills coach for MN Lakers Hockey.

“I can think of no one better or more deserving than Coach Lindstrom to lead the program into the future,” Effinger added. “He is one of the hardest-working and most-talented individuals in college hockey, and the program is in great hands under his leadership. Most importantly, Tyler embodies the values of what it means to be part of the St. Olaf community. I am excited for Coach Lindstrom and the men’s hockey program.”

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Wild President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin and Iowa Wild General Manager Matt Hendricks today announced the hiring of Greg Cronin as the Head Coach of the Iowa Wild, the team’s primary affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL).

“We are thrilled to have a coach of Greg’s caliber behind the bench in Iowa,” said Hendricks. “He brings a thorough, detail-oriented approach and an extremely high understanding of the game of hockey. With an extensive background in player development and a proven track record of leading winning organizations, we are excited to bring Greg’s passion for coaching to our organization.”

Cronin, 62 (6/2/63), owns 38 years of coaching and player development experience, including 18 years of head coaching experience at the National Hockey League (NHL), AHL and NCAA levels. The Arlington, Mass., native most recently spent two seasons (2023-25) as Head Coach of the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks, where he compiled a 62-87-15 record (.424) in 164 games and guided the team to an 80-point season (35-37-10) in 2024-25, the franchise’s highest point total since the 2017-18 season. Prior to his time in Anaheim, Cronin spent five seasons (2018-23) as Head Coach of the AHL’s Colorado Eagles, leading the team to a 164-104-30 overall record (.601), four Calder Cup playoff appearances (2019, 2021-23) and a 34-18-4 record (.643) in the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season. In seven total seasons as an AHL head coach with Colorado and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (2003-05), Cronin owns a 242-165-51 record (.584) across 458 games.

Before his time in Colorado, Cronin spent seven seasons as a coach at the NHL level, including four seasons with the New York Islanders, where he was Associate Coach in 2017-18 and an Assistant coach from 2014-17, and three seasons (2011-14) as an Assistant Coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Cronin spent six seasons as Head Coach of Northeastern University from 2005-11, earning Coach of the Year honors from Hockey East in 2009 after guiding the team to a 25-12-4 record and the school’s first NCAA tournament appearance in 15 years. Cronin spent seven seasons within the Islanders’ organization from 1998-2005, working as the team’s Director of Player Development from 2003-05, while also working as Head Coach (2003-05) and as an Assistant Coach (1998-03) for Bridgeport, the Islanders’ primary AHL affiliate. Cronin was an Assistant Coach at the University of Maine from 1988-90 and 1993-95 before serving as Interim Head Coach from December 1995 to December 1996. He was also an Assistant Coach at Colorado College from 1990-93.

A co-founder of the United States National Development Program (USNTDP), Cronin spent the inaugural season of the program as Director of Player Development in 1996-97 and served as Head Coach in 1997-98. He began his coaching career at Colby College, his alma mater, as an Assistant Coach in 1987-88. He earned a master’s degree in business at the University of Maine in 1990 while serving as a Graduate Assistant for the hockey program. Cronin has also served as an Assistant Coach for Team USA at three World Championships (1997, 2011 and 2012) and was an Assistant Coach at back-to-back World Junior Championships in 1997 and 1998, helping the U.S. to a silver medal in 1997.

Cronin played four seasons of collegiate hockey at Colby College from 1982-86, helping the team to ECAC Division II Final Four appearances in 1983 and 1984 and receiving the Most Improved Player Award in 1984 and the Coach’s Award in 1986.

Follow @mnwildPR on X and visit www.wild.com/pressbox and for the latest news and information from the team including press releases, game notes, player interviews and daily statistics.

It took a couple of years and the full dissolution of the conference, but the Pac-12 finally has a long-term media partner.

CBS Sports and the Pac-12 have reached a multi-year media rights deal that will make CBS the primary broadcast partner for the conference from 2026 through the 2030-31 academic year, it was announced Monday. Under the deal, the main CBS broadcast network will carry at least three football and men’s basketball games per season, including the football and men’s basketball championship games.

Additional football and men’s basketball games will air on CBS Sports Network.

The new deal is technically an extension, as CBS in April struck a one-year deal to carry the current two-member Pac-12 this coming season. CBS is no stranger to the Pac-12, having carried the men’s basketball championship as recently as 2012.

While the Pac-12 currently consists of just Oregon State and Washington State, as of next season it will expand to eight programs — including seven in football. The conference will need to add one more football program in order to satisfy NCAA requirements.

The new Pac-12 schools include five from the Mountain West, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State. CBS currently airs Mountain West football games, but that deal is set to expire after this season.

The Pac-12 is expected to announce additional partners at a later date. In addition to CBS, games this season will air on CW and FOX.