2024 NHL MOCK DRAFT: SEATTLE KRAKEN

After making the playoffs in the 2022-23 season, the Seattle Kraken missed the playoffs in the 2023-24 season, but they will have the opportunity to collect several good prospects in this year’s draft. In the upcoming 2024 NHL Draft, they have one 1st-round pick, two 2nd-round picks, and two 3rd-round picks; Seattle also has a 4th and 6th-round pick, as well as two 7th-round picks. The Kraken have 5 picks in the first three rounds of the draft, and another 4 picks in the rest of the draft, for a total of 9 in the 2024 NHL Draft. Utah has the 8th overall pick in the draft.

Related: 2024 NHL Mock Draft: Ottawa Senators

8. Zeev BUIUM (D), 6’0/183, University of Denver (NCAA)

Zeev Buium is a player many fans should learn the name of. He is a smooth-skating defender with strong skills at both ends of the ice and has an extremely high IQ. He has maintained over a point-per-game average in the NCAA with the University of Denver this season and has established himself as a lock as a top-10 pick, heading into the upcoming draft. He might be the most well-rounded defender in this upcoming draft class considering his IQ at both ends of the ice and could be someone a team takes a gamble on as he seems to only be getting better as the days go by. While he doesn’t play a flashy style of game, he is still able to be evasive on the rush and create chances for himself and his teammates. His smooth skating is something that should get the attention of plenty of NHL teams, and he could be considered one of the strongest skaters in the draft class. He can find open space with his speed and ability to move laterally while moving up the ice, and his speed with the puck on his stick is simply phenomenal. His production offensively may draw some worries from fans who could believe he is too one-sided, but that just isn’t the case. He is just as strong offensively as he is in his own end. For reference, Buium is producing at a 1.22 points-per-game pace, which is the highest for a defenceman in NCAA history. The ability to create space and evade pressure at the point is an important trait for any defender looking to impact the offensive side of the game, and it’s an area where Buium subtly excels. He sets up opponents by feinting a stride to one side and then shifting his weight to quickly accelerate the other way. His puckhandling isn’t flashy with noticeable dekes, but he has displayed the ability to open the blade of his stick to indicate he plans on going in one direction before attacking the opponent’s heels once they make their move. As crazy as it sounds, Buium could go as high as second overall in the 2024 draft. It’s unlikely, but his skill set and his production levels are simply out of this world. I would consider him underappreciated and underrated heading into the draft. His shot isn’t talked about a lot but when he chooses to use it, it is accurate and powerful; it can either find the back of the net or cause havoc in front of the net by generating a rebound. Buium has the potential to be a top-pair defenseman in the NHL if improves on the little things in his game and progresses at them. Whichever team ends up with him will have a future potential star on their hands.

40. EJ EMERY (D), 6’3″/185, US National U18 Team (NTDP)/USNTDP Juniors (USHL)

Despite being Canadian, the 17-year-old defenseman, who holds dual citizenship through his parents, chose to play for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program’s Under-18 Team. EJ Emery is a skilled passer. At the same time, not primarily an offensive defenseman, his ability to move the puck is highly valued in today’s NHL. Emery spent 2023-24 with the U.S. National U18 Team and then headed to the USNTDP Juniors with the USHL. With the U18 team, he had 11 assists in 53 games, finishing second on the team in PIM minutes with 61 and sixth in +/—with a +19. In the Juniors, he had six assists in 27 games, tenth in PIM with 30 minutes, and 11th in +/—with a +5. He possesses a great sense of vision, which allows him to identify opportunities to create scoring chances for his team. This exceptional vision sets him apart from other players with similar skills. Emery is highly skilled at defending against rushes. He effectively forces opposing players to the outside and times his closing on them well. His long, defensive, solid stick allows him to break up many rush attempts and prevent zone entries with a simple poke or stick-on puck. While not overly physical or an open-ice hitter, he understands space well and excels at closing opposing forwards off along the wall. His in-zone defense is mostly excellent, as he is very good at breaking up opposing cycles through anticipation with a poke check or a board battle. Additionally, he is an outstanding penalty killer, using his ability to block shots and close passing lanes significantly. Emery finds himself in a tight situation regarding his skills and where they rank between other defencemen and their skill sets. His physicality and defensive abilities are up there in the draft, but the offensive side does lower the ceiling in terms of what times might see in him. Emery dropped in draft rankings from 27 to 43 based on two factors: other prospects have elevated their game, and Emery hasn’t as much over the past three months. Emery has the potential to become a great shutdown defenseman in the NHL and could consistently be relied upon to defend against the other team’s top players. While he may not be a top-ranked defenseman, he could become a solid second-pair defenseman and would be an ideal Defensive partner for a defenseman like Zeev Buium,
who was Seattle’s first-round pick. With the Selections of Buium and now Emery, the Kraken may have just assembled their next top d pair of the future.

62. Melvin FERNSTROM (RW), 6’0/187, Orebrö HK J20 (J20 Nationell)

Melvin Fernström is a Swedish forward who spent most of this season in the J20 Nationell with Örebro HK J20, where he put up an impressive 31 goals and 63 points in 45 games. He also totaled 12 goals and 25 points in 27 games in all competitions for Team Sweden at the U18 level and was one of Sweden’s top performers at the U18 WJC. There’s no doubt that Fernström is a highly skilled forward, even though there are some questions about his game that we’ll get into in a bit. What stands out about him is his high-end skating and an offensive arsenal with plenty of weapons. Fernström is one of the better shooters in this year’s draft class. He can wire the puck with his wrist shot, but his one-timer and slapshot are excellent, too. I’d call him more of a shooter than a playmaker, but he’s a solid passer with good vision and awareness. Another feature of Fernström’s game is that the puck is always on his stick. Fernstrom is a right-shot winger with great scoring ability. He played left wing on the second line and was trusted with a lot of power-play time in this game. The strongest part of his game is his offensive positioning. He can identify open ice in high-danger areas and time his movements to get into scoring position consistently. There’s no denying Fernström has some scoring potential, but questions about his motor and play off the puck are likely keeping him from being a higher pick in the 2024 draft. Still, he could go off the board somewhere late in the second round despite some concerns about his play off the puck. There’s a really dynamic player here, and if he can work on some of the flaws in his game that he has off the puck, he could be a gem for the team that Seattle Kraken.

73. Tomas LAVOIE (D), 6’4″/225, Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL)

For a 6-foot-4, 225-pound defenseman at 18 years old, Tomas Lavoie has a fantastic skillset that could end up seeing him be a wildcard in this draft. Lavoie is a huge D with surprising mobility, solid 4-directional speed, with good edges and agility in his pivots. He is deployed as a shutdown defenseman by Cape Breton and has the awareness, smarts, and quality gap control to fulfill the role, and he likes the physical game. He’s solid defensively and plays against the top offensive players in the league. On top of that, his skating is actually pretty strong considering his frame. Back and forth, side-to-side, and gap control are all assets that help his team on a nightly basis. With good defensive awareness collaborating with all these skills, he makes for a top shut-down option for the Cape Breton Eagles. While his stat line doesn’t necessarily reflect it, Lavoie can move the puck well. He doesn’t use his booming shot often, but his breakout passes and play at the offensive blue line make for a good option at any strength, whether it is 5-on-5, or penalty-killing. Having shut-down abilities with the adaptability to fit in anywhere is something an NHL team will notice when scouting Lavoie, and it is something that could raise his draft value. Lavoie is one of the hardest-working players every time he touches the ice. He takes pride in his defensive responsibilities and has the compete level to match it. Lavoie’s rankings are all over the board. A team prioritizing a versatile right-handed defenseman in this draft could take him as high as the middle of the second round but is more likely to see him go closer to the early third round. The Seattle Kraken need to retool the right side of their defense, and he along with EJ Emery, who was picked earlier, should help their defensive depth.

88. Eriks MATEIKO (C/LW/RW), 6’5″/210, Saint Johns Sea Dogs (QMJHL)

Possessing a very large frame with a nice shot, Eriks Mateiko has caught the attention of many scouts; he uses his frame well, and at nearly 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, it’s not hard to see why he has the interest of many teams in this upcoming draft. Mateiko recorded 23 goals and 20 assists in 49 regular-season games for the Sea Dogs and continues demonstrating that he is a solid two-way forward. He played in all situations for Saint John, killed penalties, and did well using his long reach and anticipation. He is getting more time on the power play, where he is a dual threat as a net-front player and a shooter. He is proficient at getting to the openings and has a quality shot release he can let go in stride. His skating stride is strong and delivers good speed. He is capable of pulling away with the puck. Mateiko displays good puck skills and vision, and his hockey sense allows him to execute under pressure. He is an offensive player who can excel down low, protecting the puck and playing an effective cycle game. Mateiko is a lanky power forward who excels below the dots. He demonstrates solid positioning in the offensive zone, identifying lanes and occupying open spaces, ensuring he remains ready to release the puck at all times. The real strength of Mateiko’s game is the little things he does with and without the puck. He always tries to take the puck into the middle of the ice when he gets it. As a result, he is very good at creating dangerous scoring chances for himself and his teammates. He also displays some “NHL-ready” habits without the puck regarding how and where he moves and where he positions himself. These are all little details that can help players adapt to pro hockey a lot easier. Mateiko’s greatest asset could be his versatility, as he has been used at center and both wings during his career; this makes him an intriguing prospect to pick in the third round, given his potential and offensive upside. Eriks Mateiko could be a potential top-6 forward if he reaches his offensive upside, but he is more likely to settle into a role as a very valuable third-line forward, which the Seattle Kraken could really use it.

105. Heikki RUOHONEN (C), 6’1/196, Kiekko-Espoo U20 (U20 SM-sarja)

Heikki Ruohonen is a 200-foot center with a budding playmaking game that could elevate his NHL upside. At his worst, Ruohonen is a 2-way center who gets involved defensively, doesn’t shy away from initiating contact on either side of the puck, and has shown increasingly regular flashes of playmaking skill. He’s diversified his playmaking game by integrating hook and area passes as the season has progressed. While he makes for a relatively straightforward 4C NHL projection, steps like these taken in his offensive and on-puck game could unlock the middle-six upside. Last season, in 2022-23, Ruohonen only put up 13 points in 39 games in Finland’s U20 league, but in the past 23-24 season, Ruohonen scored 20 goals, 27 assists, and 47 points in 37 games in the same league. Ruohonen also was a part of Finland’s National team at both the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the U18 WJC, but it was at the U18 WJC, that he really established himself as an offensive force as well, recording 3 goals and 5 points in 5 games. At his worst, Ruohonen would be a really solid 4th-line center with some offensive upside, but if developed properly and if he fulfills his middle-six upside, he could be a borderline 2nd-line center. Seattle needs to start adding more center depth behind Shane Wright, and Ruohonen is a solid choice at this point in the draft.

Rounds 6-7

169. Pavel MOYSEVICH (G), 6’5/170, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

Pavel Moysevich is an overage goaltender playing in the KHL, but he has managed to attract the attention of scouts due to the numbers he has been putting up in his D+1 season. Standing at 6 foot 5, Moysevich has not looked out of place playing at the KHL level, putting up a 1.25 GAA and .942 SV% in 13 games and he also recorded a 1.21 GAA and .941 SV% in 1 playoff game. Moysevich also had stints in the MHL and VHL with St. Petersburg’s affiliate teams, at the
VHL level, he put up a 2.31 GAA and .927 SV% in 19 games; Pavel played for St. Petersburg in the MHL Playoffs, where he had a 1.93 GAA and .946 SV% in 10 games. Moysevich’s strengths come in his positioning and ability to use his frame to minimize the threat of opportunities. He has relatively strong hands and is very difficult to beat cleanly. He’s a huge and intelligent netminder, who has all the raw tools to be a good NHL goaltender, however being a Belarusian-born goalie, playing in the KHL for SKA St. Petersburg is going automatically cause many teams to remove him from their draft list. Seattle is in a position where that could take a risk on a goaltending prospect in the 6th round, and even if Moysevich doesn’t come over, it would hurt the team as much. If Moysevich does come over to the NHL, he could become a star goalie.

201. Alexandre Blais (LW), 5’10/154, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)

Alexandre Blais scored 24 goals, 60 assists, and 84 points in 68 games with the Rimouski Oceanic of the QMJHL, good for a 1.24 Points per game average and the 6th most points per game average in the entire QMJHL. Only 11 players have equal to or have a higher Points per game average in their draft year than Alexandre Blais; these players include players such as Alexis Lafreniere, Jonathan Drouin, Nathan MacKinnon, Sean Couturier, Nikolaj Ehlers, Sean Couturier, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Jonathan Huberdeau and Nico Hischier. Alexandre Blais was easily the best player on the ice in most of the games he played and he showcased his dynamic playmaking ability on a nightly basis. The biggest knock of Blais is that he is an undersized winger and he plays in the least competitive of the three major junior leagues in Canada, as the QMJHL has struggled to produce high-end draft talent recently. Being undersized will certainly knock his draft stock down despite the fact he has been terrific during his draft year. This could be a late-round steal for the Seattle Kraken, who are in dire need of a dynamic offensive talent, such as Alexandre Blais.

202. Jack VAN VOLSEN (C), 6’1/187, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)

Jack Van Volsen was a highly sought-after prospect heading into the 2022 OHL Priority Selection after scoring 110 points in 57 games for an incredibly strong Toronto Jr. Canadiens team. He dominated the U-16 age group with the Jr. Canadiens on a team that included a future first-round pick in this year’s draft Michael Hage and a future first-round pick in next year’s draft Porter Martone. Unfortunately, Van Volsen has struggled in the OHL, splitting his first
season in the OHL with the Peterborough Petes and Mississauga Steelheads. In the 2023-24 season, Van Volsen played the full season with the Mississauga Steelheads, putting up 20 goals and 32 points in 63 games. Jack has a great hockey IQ and is always able to find open spaces on the ice for either a shot or a pass to one of his teammates. He may not be one of the fastest players, but his vision through the neutral zone is one of his biggest strengths as he can help his team enter the offensive zone without losing possession of the puck. Van Volsen will most likely max out at a third-line center role at the NHL level. He has the tools to become an NHL player who has a lengthy career if used in the right role. This is not that big a risk for the Seattle Kraken who do need to start stockpiling some center depth.

Draft Recap

B

Zeev BUIUM (D)
EJ EMERY (D)
Melvin FERNSTROM (RW)
Tomas LAVOIE (D)
Eriks Mateiko (C/LW/RW)
Heikki Ruohonen (C)
Pavel Moysevich (G)
Alexandre Blais (LW)
Jack Van Volsen (C)

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