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Berkly Catton, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft, is coming on strong, and he’s not the only Seattle prospect who’s turning heads this season.

By Krishna Bhagnathsingh

While the Seattle Kraken traded away seasoned veterans Oliver Bjorkstrand and Yanni Gourde ahead of the NHL deadline, there’s help on the way in the franchise’s prospect pipeline. Here’s a look at how Seattle’s 2024 draft class is faring this season.

Berkly Catton, C, Spokane (WHL)

2024 NHL draft: 8th overall

Catton is tearing it up for the Spokane Chiefs, averaging more than two points per game. He’s already surpassed 100 points on the season and ranks third overall in WHL scoring – although he’s just second on the Chiefs, behind Washington Capitals prospect Andrew Cristall. Catton’s ability to dangle a defender and his lightning-fast shot will one day provide the Kraken with a much-needed sniper. Look for Catton to make a push for full-time NHL duty by the 2026-27 season, at which time he could claim a spot in the top six.

Julius Miettinen, C, Everett (WHL)

2024 NHL draft: 40th overall

The 6-foot-3, 207-pound Miettinen uses his frame to drive to the net, whether it’s with the puck on his stick or fishing for a rebound, and he’s an effective net-front presence. Miettinen applies great forechecking pressure, and he’s adept at forcing turnovers in the opponent’s zone. Plus, his ability to play deep both in the defensive end and the offensive end of the ice shouldn’t be overlooked. Overall, the Kraken can expect a reliable two-way center in the coming years.

Nathan Villeneuve, C, Sudbury (OHL)

2024 NHL draft: 63rd overall

Villeneuve is having a career offensive year in Sudbury, ranking in the top five in goals, assists and points for the Wolves. What stands out about Villeneuve is his performances on both the power play and the penalty kill. He’s second on the Wolves in power-play goals with 10 while also leading the team with four shorthanded goals. Villeneuve also brings speed to the table. Whether it’s along the boards or cutting through the neutral zone, he’s a speedster who can easily get to the net. He brings something valuable to the Kraken’s future by being a speedy playmaker and scorer.

Alexis Bernier, D, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)

2024 NHL draft: 73rd overall

Bernier sits in the top 10 in points among QMJHL defensemen, and in January he tied the Drakkar franchise record for most goals in a month by a defender (five). Bernier isn’t afraid to grip it and rip it in the slot when he gets a chance. He also doesn't shy away from physicality, as a push and shove could benefit both him and the team. The 18-year-old has much more development ahead of him, whether it’s with Baie-Comeau next season or perhaps with the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds if the Kraken sign him to an entry-level deal.

Kim Saarinen, G, HPK (Fin.)

2024 NHL draft: 88th overall

Saarinen’s .911 save percentage and three shutouts rank among the league leaders in Finland’s top hockey circuit. He’s active in the blue paint and can easily maneuver from post to post. Still, goalies take a while to crack the NHL and Saarinen has a long way to go. He could remain with HPK for a few more seasons before the Kraken decide to bring him over. Seattle still has Philipp Grubauer and Joey Daccord under contract for the next few years, so there’s time for Saarinen to continue his development.

Oliver Josephson, C, Red Deer (WHL)

2024 NHL draft: 105th overall

Josephson has 28 points in 41 games, which is good enough for third-most on a struggling Rebels team this season. Beyond scoring, he leads Red Deer in faceoffs won (485) and faceoff percentage (57.6). Josephson has shown the ability to get into the scoring areas and put the puck in the net. He also shines when it comes to puck control and playmaking, as he’s tied for second on Red Deer in assists (18). Given that he’s only 18 years old, another season or two in junior would serve him well in terms of further development before he moves on to the next level.

Clarke Caswell, LW, Swift Current (WHL)

2024 NHL draft: 141st overall

Caswell’s 81 points are second-most on Swift Current and put him in the top 20 in the WHL. His sweet spot on the ice seems to be the slot area or right next to the blue paint, where he can whack in a rebound, bury a one-timer or attempt a deflection. Caswell also has a knack for helping out on special teams as he ranks in the top 10 in the WHL in power-play assists. Overall, the Kraken have a player who has a note for the net, whether it’s battling for rebounds or fighting for space in the slot.

Jakub Fibigr, D, Brampton (OHL)

2024 NHL draft: 202nd overall

Compared to last season, Fibigr is having a bit of a down year. In 2023-24, he ranked second in points among Steelheads defensemen with 43 in 61 games. This year, he has 27 points in 51 games. He was tied for the most points on Czechia at the 2025 world juniors with five points in seven games. Fibigr can track the puck well, but he has some issues with puck control at times, both in his own zone and the neutral zone. On the plus side, he’s a strong skater. Overall, Fibigr will no doubt need more development to make the NHL, but he has upside as a depth defenseman.

Related

Kraken Prospects Face-off In Friday Night Battle in Everett.Chiefs' Berkly Catton Wins Shootout Over Julius Miettinen's Silvertips, 4-3.

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Remember when the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins rivalry was arguably the best in the NHL, matching hated cross-state rivals who were usually among the league’s elite?

Well, now the Pennsylvania teams are near the bottom of the Eastern Conference and in the middle of rebuilds.

Unsurprisingly, Flyers and Penguins fans are getting restless.

Entering Thursday, the aging Penguins were 26-31-10 (.463 points percentage), and they figure to miss the playoffs for the third-straight season, the first time that has happened in two decades.

The Flyers were 27-31-8 (.470 points percentage) and should miss the playoffs for the fifth-straight year, matching an unwanted franchise record. Out of the 16 Eastern Conference teams, only Buffalo has a worse points percentage (.444) than the Flyers and Penguins.

So, which Pennsylvania team will rebuild more quickly and become a Stanley Cup contender again?

It will probably come down to which team makes better selections in the next few drafts.

Both teams are loaded with several high draft picks, and both have similar needs: adding a quality center and upgrading their defense and goaltending.

Both teams appear at least two or three years away from challenging for a Cup. Maybe longer.

Both teams have a decent amount of projected cap space for 2025-26. According to PuckPedia, the Flyers will have $27.54 million in cap room based on contracts committed to 17 players, while the Pens will have $25.56 million available based on contracts to 17 players. Theoretically, both could speed up their rebuilds by adding a key piece in free agency. As for how the teams currently look, Philly has an advantage over the Penguins in that it has more core players on the younger side.

The Flyers’ cornerstones are Matvei Michkov (20 years old), Travis Konecny (28), Owen Tippett (26), Tyson Foerster (23), Noah Cates (26) and Travis Sanheim (28). Cam York (24) and Jamie Drysdale (22) have been slow to develop but could be key players at some point. The jury is still out on goalie Samuel Ersson (25), and Sean Couturier (32) is now more of an expensive role player.

Pittsburgh’s core revolves around veterans Sidney Crosby (37), Rickard Rakell (31), Bryan Rust (32), Erik Karlsson (34), Evgeni Malkin (38) and Kris Letang (37). One or two of those vets could be moved in the off-season.

So, the Flyers have much more NHL-ready youth than the Penguins and are in a better position in the upcoming draft.

Penguins Top Prospect McGroarty On Tear In AHLThere are several Pittsburgh Penguins prospects making some noise at the AHL level this season.

The draft, which takes place June 27 and 28, will be critical for both teams.

The Flyers have a staggering seven picks in the first two rounds, including three in Round 1. The Penguins could have six picks in the first three rounds – two in the first (though one could slide to next year), one in the second and three in the third. They also could have six picks in the opening three rounds in 2026 and 2027.

The Flyers have lost five straight, all at home, and their fans seem to want them to continue to lose and get a higher draft selection. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh both figure to draft in the top seven and could climb into the top five. With the lottery, they could climb even higher – or not.

Philadelphia will also pick around 22nd overall (from Edmonton) and 25th (from Colorado), thanks to trades. The Penguins could have a second first-rounder, originally owned by the New York Rangers. It is top-13 protected and could slide to 2026.

The Penguins, which have some promising AHL prospects and own more draft picks in the next three years (30) than any NHL team, should get a marquee player with their initial pick. Ditto the Flyers.

2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Ferrari's Mid-Season Top 64It's 2025 NHL draft rankings time again as we're about to see the class playing some of its highest-level hockey.

Below are the players expected to go in the top 10, based on a study of numerous draft experts. Keep in mind that the player ranked in a particular spot may not get drafted there because of teams’ needs.

Top 10 Draft Hopefuls

1.   Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie (OHL)

2.   James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA)

3.   Michael Misa, C/LW, Saginaw (OHL)

4.   Porter Martone, RW, Brampton (OHL)

5.   Anton Frondell, C/RW, Djurgarden (Sweden)

6.   Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgarden (Sweden)

7.   Roger McQueen, C, Brandon (WHL)

8.   Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton (QMJHL)

9.   Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City (WHL)

10. Carter Bear, C/LW, Everett (WHL)

Bottom line: The Flyers and Penguins are far from being relevant again, but Philadelphia’s future looks brighter because of this year’s draft, making it imperative they strike gold with their three first-round selections.

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The Atlanta Gladiators announced Thursday that the club has signed a two-year extension to continue as the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Nashville Predators.

“The Nashville Predators and Milwaukee Admirals have been terrific affiliates the last two years,” Gladiators owner Alex Campbell, commented in a statement. “We’re proud to extend our partnership through the 2026-27 season, and I look forward to continued success for the Predators, the Admirals, and the Gladiators.”

Since joining forces with Nashville and the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League prior to the 2023-24 season, Atlanta has had 11 players join the club under either an AHL or NHL contract, further adding to the developmental pipeline between all three teams.

This season, the Gladiators have benefited from additions such as defenseman Jeremy Hanzel (48GP-3G-15A), forward Alexander Campbell (3GP-2G-2A), and first-year goaltender Ethan Haider, a former 5th round selection of the Predators in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft (29GP, 16-11-1, 3 SO).

The Predators are led by head coach Andrew Brunette, who played for the ECHL's Hampton Roads Admirals during the 1993-94 season. Since taking the helm, Brunette has guided Nashville to a record of 72-62-12.

Additionally, forward Cole Smith who now has over 200 games of NHL experience, began his professional career with the ECHL’s Florida Everblades.

The Predators currently sit in seventh place in the NHL’s Central Division, with a record of 25-32-7, for 57 points. This past season, Nashville qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, finishing as a Wild Card team in the consistently competitive Western Conference.

"We are excited to keep the Atlanta Gladiators as part of the Predators family moving forward," Predators General Manager Barry Trotz said in a news release. "We've been fortunate enough to reap the benefits of having a longstanding AHL affiliate in Milwaukee, and we are hoping that our partnership with Atlanta will blossom into something similar. The proximity between our two teams offers us the chance to further expand the game of hockey in the South, with two strong, passionate fan bases cheering us on. I'd like to thank the Gladiators organization – including the ATL Hockey Group, led by Alex Campbell – for their leadership and commitment to making this relationship even stronger in the coming years."

Over the years, Nashville has partnered with several teams, including the Hampton Roads Admirals (1998-00), New Orleans Brass (2000-01), Cincinnati Cyclones (2001-02, 07-17), Toledo Storm (2003-04), Norfolk Admirals (2017-18), the Florida Everblades (2019-22), and most recently the Atlanta Gladiators (2023-Present).

Atlanta was initially affiliated with the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers from 2003 until 2011, when the franchise relocated to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Following the Thrasher’s departure from the NHL, the Gladiators have partnered with the Arizona Coyotes (2011-15, 2022-23), Boston Bruins (2015-18), Ottawa Senators (2021-22), and the Predators (2023-Present).

The Predators are currently on a west coast road trip, with their next game set forFriday in Anaheim against the Ducks. The Gladiators are also back in action on Friday when they host the South Carolina Stingrays for Heroes Night. Puck drop is set for 7:30 Pm.