Fiddler and Saarinen just gave Kraken fans two big reasons to be excited

Seattle had five prospects participate in this year’s World Junior Summer Showcase (WJSS), but only two, defenseman Blake Fiddler and goaltender Kim Saarinen, logged enough meaningful minutes to warrant full evaluations. The others either saw limited action or stuck closely to their established scouting profiles. Here's how each fared:

Blake Fiddler

Fiddler suited up for Team USA White and was featured in games all three opposing countries. While he didn’t register any points, Fiddler quietly impressed with disciplined gap control and sound positioning in his own zone. Fiddler is exceptional at creating advantages from the boards to the middle of the ice and consistently makes clean exits under pressure, one of the most important traits in a modern shutdown defenseman.

While his physicality is still emerging, his skating is already high-end for a player his size (6’3”, 220lbs), allowing him to close gaps quickly and recover effortlessly in transition. He showed flashes of real defensive control, especially when matched against fast and skilled international forwards.

Offensively, Fiddler remains more of a project. His decision-making with the puck is steady, but he rarely activates or looks to create from the point. He often opts for the safe play instead of jumping into the rush or exploiting open space, and that tentativeness held back some otherwise promising sequences. He also gave up possession at times when pressured high, suggesting his ability to process quickly in fast-paced games is still developing.

Still, with his size, mobility, and defensive intelligence, Fiddler projects as a reliable top-four shutdown defenseman who could play heavy minutes at the NHL level. There’s some Brandon Carlo/Adam Larsson in his game, steady, physical when needed, and capable of neutralizing top opponents while supporting transition play. For Seattle, he remains a low-risk, high-ceiling development piece, and his time at the WJSS only solidified that status.

Kim Saarinen

The 6’4”, 19-year-old Finnish netminder got the start in two games for Finland, and while the results were mixed on paper, the performance itself told a much more encouraging story.

Saarinen opened the tournament against USA White in what ultimately became a 5–2 loss. Despite the final score, Saarinen’s play was a stabilizing force for Finland, especially his early composure. He allowed just one goal in that opening frame, a perfectly executed 2-on-0 that no goaltender could reasonably be faulted for, while saving 4-5 legitimate scoring chances. His glove work in that game was particularly impressive, flashing elite reaction time and swallowing up dangerous chances with confidence.

Where Saarinen truly left his mark was on July 30 against Canada, backstopping Finland to a statement 6–3 win. In what may be the most poised performance of his international career so far, he looked calm, athletic, and completely in control stopping 30/33 shots. His lateral movement was smooth, his reads were sharp, and once again, his glove was a clear standout: quick, reactive, and dependable.

That said, his showcase wasn’t without flaws. The most glaring issue was his puck tracking, especially when play broke down behind the net or along the boards. In those moments, Saarinen occasionally lost sight of the puck, leading to scrambling sequences and delayed recoveries. Stemming from this, rebound control, was another area that needs improvement. He tended to kick out more pucks than you'd like to see, especially off low shots, resulting in second-chance opportunities for opponents.

Still, what Saarinen showed at the WJSS was highly encouraging. His natural athleticism, calm demeanor, and exceptional gloves form a solid foundation. With refinement in tracking and rebound management, there’s real potential for him to evolve into a legitimate professional-caliber goaltender for the Kraken.

Jake O'Brien

O’Brien delivered a few electric offensive moments, including a gorgeous toe-drag assist and a slick give-and-go sequence against Team USA. His puck skills and creativity are evident, and he brings an almost effortless calm when under pressure. However, his defensive play remains a work in progress. Faceoffs were a consistent struggle, and his slight frame made puck protection an issue. He’s still tracking as a pure playmaking pivot but needs to add strength and improve his game without the puck to reach his potential.

Berkley Catton

Seattle’s 2024 first-rounder dressed for the Red vs. White scrimmage on July 29 but didn’t appear in any of Canada’s international matchups during the tournament. With that scrimmage played under relaxed rules and low structure, there wasn’t enough to assess. Catton remains a top forward prospect in the Kraken pipeline, but fans will have to wait for training camp or preseason to get a better read on his development.

Ollie Josephson

Though Josephson saw limited minutes at the WJSS, he stayed true to his identity: a workhorse shutdown center who thrives in the trenches. His tenacity, stickwork, and defensive reads stood out in small doses, especially on the forecheck. Josephson projects as a bottom-six NHLer with strong defensive instincts and leadership qualities. A return to junior for one final season should help him round out his game.

Full World Junior Summer Showcase Stats and Results