> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 2025 NHL Draft: 9 Prospects Kraken Fans Should Be Excited About - URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/nine-prospects-kraken-fans-should-be-excited-about-2025-nhl-draft/ - Published: 2025-03-26T01:17:55.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T06:00:07.000Z - Author: Corbin Smith - Tags: Kraken, Radim Mrtka, Michael Misa, 2025 NHL Draft \[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="980"\] ![ Saginaw Spirit forward Michael Misa connects with the puck during a regular season game. Credit: Michael Misa/Instagram ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1d/f2/1df2f77b-83dd-4bc0-a6d2-6d1bb5df89a3/content/images/2026/10/472606713_619789557186103_1531420404861576722_n-format-original.jpg) Saginaw Spirit forward Michael Misa connects with the puck during a regular season game. Credit: Michael Misa/Instagram \[/caption\] The Kraken’s season will come to an end on April 15, and it will end a year that optimists would call a mixed bag and pessimists would call a major disappointment, and everyone else something in-between those descriptors. Either way, Seattle won’t be heading to the postseason, and the “good news” that comes with missing a chance at a Stanley Cup is that the Kraken will get a spot in the NHL Lottery. Right now, the team would have the sixth “best” odds of winning the said lottery, and if they remain in that position, they would pick no lower than ninth based on those odds. Now that we’re a little closer to the 2025 NHL Draft, now’s a good time to look at nine prospects that could be targets for the Kraken, and why fans should be excited if they end up landing with the team: ### If they win the lottery or the No. 2 pick **Matthew Schaefer, Defenseman, Erie Otters (OHL)** Schaefer is universally considered the top prospect in this draft, and while he’s not quite at the level of Macklin Celebrini or Conor Bedard — the last two first overall selections in the NHL Draft — this is not darning with faint praise. This is true despite the fact that the defenseman suffered a broken clavicle at the start of 2025, and he’s expected to miss three months with the injury. When healthy, Schaefer gets rave reviews for his skating ability, and scouts gush about his feel for the game. The 17-year old shows great acumen with the puck, and has the ability to find an open teammate or bury the puck into the net with his shot. The risk with Schaefer is his age and position suggests he may need a year or two in the minors, but if there’s any player in this draft who has a chance to be a franchise player — with all due respect to the other names in this class — it’s Schaefer. **Matthew Misa, Center, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)** There’s some debate as to who the best center in this year’s class is, but Misa is the top forward according to the scouts I’ve had a chance to speak with. His numbers certainly haven’t hurt his cause, as he’s put up a whopping 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists) over 65 games in his second season with the club. His best skill is his speed, and he uses his ability to skate past defenders to create plenty of opportunities for himself and teammates. He also has excellent ingenuity with the puck, creating unique angles to open up quality shots. That athleticism and creativity make him a good bet to be a top-six forward, and possibly one who moves quickly through an NHL system. **James Hagens, Center, Boston College** There are some who rank Hagens ahead of Misa, and it’s understandable why. He hasn’t had nearly the production that Misa has had with 35 points in as many games (10 goals, 25 assists), but he’s done it against tougher competition at the NCAA level. Talent evaluators can’t say enough good things about how smart of a player he is, but he’s also an excellent athlete who can generate top-line speed and quality touch to get the puck past goalies or give his teammates quality looks to do the same. The biggest concern with Hagens outside of so-so production is his size, as at 5-11, 176-pounds, he’ll be on the smaller side for a forward at the highest level. Still, there’s elite upside in Hagans game, and a high floor because of his hockey acumen. ### If they stay where they are **Radim Mrtka, Defenseman, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)** I promise you I’m not just being biased because Mrtka plays in Seattle. I may be a little biased because he’s a giant; standing at 6-6 and weighing in at 207 pounds. That frame obviously is what you’re looking for in a productive defender. He’s not only capable of bringing some thump, but he’s able to make plays as a passer, as seen in 32 assists in his 35 games. He isn’t much of a goal scorer yet, but you’ll take that kind of production and his ability to start the break on top of being able to stop the puck with his defensive prowess. Mrtka is considered by many to have the second-best upside of any defender in the class behind Schaefer, and he’d be excellent value for the Kraken in the top eight or so selections. **Anton Frondell, Center, Djurgårdens IF (Sweden)** Frondell is considered the best prospect out of Sweden, and one of the best prospects regardless of home country. The 17-year old — 18 in May — plays with power, and that helps him slap the puck past opposing tenders and also in bullying defenders to get into scoring chances. He’s also plenty on the wings for his team, and that versatility is also nice to have as well. Frondell doesn’t have quite the upside that the centers above do, but that’s more compliment to the “big two” than insult to him. He has a great chance of being a strong top six forward who provides plenty of goals for whatever team procures his services. The Kraken have been linked as one of those teams. **Porter Martone, Right Wing, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)** Martone is widely regarded as the top wing in this class, and with good reason. The 18-year old has gotten the puck into the net 37 times in 2024-25, and he’s tallied an impressive 61 assists to go with them. He’s already 6-3, 208 pounds, and he has a frame that suggests he can be a player that more than holds his own near the net. While not an elite skater, he does handle the puck well, and he gets high praise from the scouting community for his ability to find the open player and make the extra pass when necessary. This is more of a high-floor option than a high-ceiling one, but that’s not an insult. It’s very easy to see quality production from Martone as the highest level, and the Kraken could certainly use a player of his skill set. ### **If they drop down** **Logan Hensler, Defenseman, University of Wisconsin** Hensler is the top defenseman at the college ranks eligible for the 2025 draft, but you wouldn’t necessarily guess that was the case when you see a player who had two goals and 10 assists over 32 games with the Badgers. There’s obviously work to be done on the offensive side — and on his defense, to be fair — but there’s considerable upside and plenty of time to reach it considering he doesn’t turn 19 until October. When he’s at his best, he shows exceptional puck handling, and he’s athletic enough and then some to make a different in transition both with the puck and defending it. This would very much be a long-term play, but several sources told me that they believe he offers the type of upside you see in upper-echelon defenders, in their words of course. There’s high risk in this type of profile, but plenty of potential reward. **Roger McQueen, Center, Brandon Wheat Kings (OHL)** I did talk to quite a few scouts when putting this piece together, and I asked several if they were to guess what player ends up with the Kraken, who would it be. Most declined, but a couple mentioned McQueen, and it makes sense. He’s been out of action because of injuries, but he was able to score 20 points in 17 games, and there’s a lot to like about his profile. One of the most intriguing things about McQueen is his size, as he stands at 6-5 and he’ll all-but-assuredly fill out a frame that currently weighs in at 197 pounds. He uses his length to create scoring chances and makes him difficult to defend, and he has one of the most accurate shots of any skater in the class. The Kraken will need to do their due diligence to make sure McQueen isn’t a significant health-risk, but his size and skill gives him some of the best upside of any forward eligible in 2025. **Jackson Smith, Defenseman, Tri-City Americans (WHL)** There are a lot of defenders who are going to be mocked around this point in the draft, and Smith is one you’ll see connected to the Kraken often. He’s a left-handed shooting defenseman who has put together a very strong season for the Americans as seen in 11 goals and 43 assists over 68 games in the Western Hockey League. Smith doesn’t turn 18 until May, but he’s already 6-3, 195 pounds, and scouts bring up his aggressiveness and willingness to put his body on the line — in a complimentary way, of course. He possesses above average speed, handles the puck well — though not as well as some of the other defenders mentioned — and can make plays with his vision on the ice. Smith likely would need a few seasons in the minors before being ready to help the Kraken, but a first-line defender is certainly a possible — maybe even likely — outcome because of his skill set.