The Seattle Kraken thought they would be the next expansion team to make a run at the Stanley Cup when they defeated the defending champion Colorado Avalanche in the 2023 playoffs. They had a young core that would only improve, and their 2022 draft steal, Shane Wright, hadn't become a full-time player yet. The Kraken were looking forward to the 2023-24 season after the postseason success but took a step back by finishing eighth-worst in the league. Who shouldn't the Kraken target in the 2024 NHL Draft to ensure this doesn't keep trending downward?

It'll be hard for the Kraken to mess up this pick. They have some elite young players that will be the future of their team and $23 million in salary cap space. The Kraken have Matthew Beniers, Tye Kartye, Jagger Firkus, Shane Wright, Eduard Sale, and Ty Nelson in their system. The Kraken will have one of the best young forward groups in the NHL in a few years, and they have an opportunity to add to it in this draft.

If you need any reason to prove that the Kraken are in good hands with their prospects, look at their AHL team, the Coachella Valley Firebirds. They have been to the Calder Cup Finals two years in a row but unfortunately lost both times. Regardless of the outcome, it isn't easy for a young minor-league team to make back-to-back Calder Cup Finals. After his success in Coachella Valley, the Kraken will also promote Dan Bylsma to coach the NHL team. The Kraken will only benefit from this experience.

Let's examine two players the Kraken must avoid in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Kraken should let Flames reach for Tij Iginla

Seattle Kraken forward Yanni Gourde (37) is congratulated by teammates after a goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the second period at Canada Life Centre.
© Terrence Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Tij Iginla's stock rose dramatically this season after scoring just 18 points in 48 games in his WHL rookie season. The Kelowna Rockets then acquired Iginla, a perfect fit in his hometown. Iginla showed comfort in Kelowna, scoring 13 goals in his first 12 games to shoot up the draft projections. Iginla's season finished with 84 points in 64 games and a No. 9 spot on the NHL's North American Central Scouting List.

Iginla's growth over one calendar year was enough for Iginla's stock to rise. However, don't ignore that Tij is the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla. The fact that he learned from one of the best professionals in NHL history helped his case. Jarome was one of the most well-respected players during his career, and the chance to draft a player just like him to lead your franchise for 20 years is a chance plenty of teams would take.

The Iginla hype is quieting down again, as people may realize it happened too quickly. Iginla did have a breakout season, but one good year may not be worthy of a top-ten pick. The forwards that should be picked above Iginla are Macklin Celebrini, Ivan Demidov, Cayden Lindstrom, and possibly Konsta Helenius and Beckett Sennecke. Then, there are defensemen like Anton Silayev, Artyom Levshunov, Zeev Buium, Zayne Parekh, and Sam Dickinson.

There's a great chance that the Calgary Flames take Iginla, which would still be a reach, but it would make sense due to his connection with the franchise. The Kraken should take the best forward available out of the above group.

Don't take the Anton Silayev bait if he falls

The Kraken aren't too far away from being a contender, especially if they make the right moves in this draft and their young guys are ready to jump to the NHL. Silayev is the biggest (literally) question mark in this draft, as the 6-foot-7 defender is playing professionally in the KHL. He has mentioned coming to North America after his KHL contract expires in 2026, but there are no guarantees that will happen.

The best-case scenario would be Silayev coming to North America in three seasons. If he does come, he must adjust to the North American professional game and involve a year in the AHL. The Kraken could be waiting three years for Silayev to be ready, which may match perfectly with the Kraken's window. However, how sure can they be that Silayev can play in North America?

There are too many uncertainties for Silayev. It's nothing unusual for players from Russia, as Matvei Michkov was the second-best prospect last season and fell to No. 7. The Kraken should be targeting forwards anyway. However, if Ron Francis wants a defenseman, he should take Dickinson, Parekh, or Buium over Silayev.

A team will take Silayev early due to his tremendous upside, and it may not even matter if he goes before the Kraken pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. If Silayev does fall, the Kraken should also stay away.