3 Potential Breakout Stars From The Seattle Kraken Roster

The Seattle Kraken have completed their expansion draft, and while there wasn't much in the way of fireworks, the 32nd NHL team pieced together a roster that prioritizes size over skill. Among the players picked are a few names that fans may be unfamiliar with. Some of them will fill in as depth for the Kraken's AHL team, but some could be due for a coming-out party. Here are 3 players who could break out with the Seattle Kraken.

Colin Blackwell

Blackwell has bounced his way around the league for a while now. Originally drafted in the 7th round out of Harvard University by the Sharks, he was then traded to Nashville where he played his first NHL games, and finally landed himself with the New York Rangers. He seems to have found his game with the Rangers, setting career highs in goals (12) and points (27) in just 47 games last season. Blackwell is a smaller right-shot centre who will probably slot in on the Kraken's third line. He may surprise people with just how many points he puts up from there.

Nathan Bastian

Drafted in the 2nd round by the Devils in 2016, Nathan Bastian has taken his time breaking into the NHL. He finally solidified himself on the Devils roster last season as a bottom 6 player, scoring 3 goals and 10 points. The 23-year old is a big right-winger, coming in at 6'4" 205lbs, but skates remarkably well for his size. He's also got some skill with the puck on his stick, possessing a strong shot and good passing instincts. Players with his skill set rarely come in his size, and at 23 he has plenty of room to grow. Given more opportunity on the Kraken, he could easily take another step.

Mason Appleton

25-year old Appleton had his breakout last year with the Winnipeg Jets, scoring 12 goals and 25 points in 56 games. The 2015 6th round pick took a big step from where he was a year before, where he only managed 8 points. However, anyone that looks at the Jets' roster can see that the top 6 forwards are solidified on that team. The opportunity for a guy like Appleton to become a legitimate top 6 player isn't really there in Winnepeg. That is not the case in Seattle. Appleton is still young, affordable, and could rise to the occasion in the Emerald City if given the room to show everything he's got.

Who do you think might be a diamond in the rough on the Kraken?

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