Breakout Candidate: Shane Wright, C
THN Yearbook & Fantasy Guide has pegged Wright to finish the season as the Kraken’s top scorer, which would be the first time it wasn’t Jared McCann. Looking up and down the lineup, there really is no other candidate for a breakout season; Matty Beniers’ numbers have been very underwhelming over the past two seasons and he’s developing more into a two-way center than a scoring threat.
Remember, too, that Wright was incensed at not being picked first overall at the 2022 draft, and vowed a revenge tour for those that passed on him. With increased ice time – he averaged just 14:04 last season – look for Wright to establish career highs easily. I wouldn’t be too concerned about the high shooting percentage; it’s early in Wright’s career so there’s a (slim) chance he’s an above-average finisher, but I expect shot volume to increase dramatically, offsetting any potential inefficiencies in scoring goals.
Buy Low Candidate: Kaapo Kakko, RW
Kakko’s stock was never lower than it had been when the Rangers traded him, notching just four goals in 30 games. Upon his arrival in Seattle, Kakko emerged a different player and finished with 10 goals and 30 points in 49 games. It’s still not what you’d expect from lottery pick, but a change of scenery was clearly needed, and Kakko’s now projected to be a very good complementary winger with 60-point upside. I think Kakko can have some value in deep leagues if you’re looking for points, and he’s likely playing alongside Beniers.
Riser: Jani Nyman, RW
Nyman was arguably their most dangerous offensive player in the AHL last season, leading the team with 28 goals and finishing second with 44 points. He did not look out of place at all with the parent club, scoring six points in 12 games. He’s less heralded than some of the Kraken’s top prospects, having been taken after Wright in 2022, but he’s a good bet to make the club ahead of 2023 first-round pick Eduard Sale, who scored 21 points in the AHL last season and needs a little more seasoning in the pros before he makes the jump.
Nyman already had two full seasons of pro experience in Finland before heading to the AHL. The slight issue is the Kraken are loaded with experienced wingers, which means Nyman might have trouble finding ice time. It’s unlikely he’ll have much fantasy value this season unless he pushes his way into the top six, but he’s a name to keep in mind. He might have some value here and there as a streaming option.
Faller: Mason Marchment, LW
It’s not like Marchment didn’t have a glut of wingers to contend with in Dallas, but the Kraken offense ceiling is clearly worse. Marchment isn’t a play driver and I think he’ll be hard-pressed to score at last season’s 62-point pace because the Kraken just don’t have anyone who can really help him get there.
With Jaden Schwartz and Jared McCann already on the left side, it’s more likely Marchment plays on a matchup line with Chandler Stephenson. It can be a really effecting checking line with some scoring punch, but scoring is unlikely to be their main objective. Despite playing a pretty physical game winning puck battles and maintaining possession with his huge 6-foot-5 frame, Marchment doesn’t provide as much as you’d think in hits, topping at around 100 in a single season.
All stats courtesy of naturalstattrick.com, moneypuck.com, hockeyviz.com, allthreezones.com, hockey-reference.com, eliteprospects.com unless otherwise noted.