Kraken Prospect Showcase: Lukas Dragicevic

With the summer's end, let's look at who is in the Seattle Kraken's farm system. Here is the Kraken Prospect Showcase, and it will be a series of a few up-and-comers that could be making a splash in the NHL as soon as next season, or a few years out.

First up to the plate, is defenseman Lukas Dragicevic. At 19, the British Columbia prospect has been a stud in the Western Hockey League over the past four seasons. Additionally, he has spent time with the U-18 Canadian squad at the World Junior Championships over the last two seasons.

Dragicevic was drafted in the second round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and has spent the last four seasons with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL. But, going into 2024-25, he has been traded to the Prince Albert Raiders. As a 19-year-old, I cannot see the Kraken letting him spend another full season in Juniors and likely want him grabbing more reps in the AHL with Coachella Valley.

That has yet to be confirmed.

With the expiring contract of defenseman Adam Larsson, Dragicevic could be a solid and cheap replacement for him in 2025-26. Especially with the huge signing of Matty Beniers, the Kraken have dug themselves into a bit of a salary cap hole this upcoming season, that could also bleed into the following one.

Statistically, he is a great offensive d-man. Over the past two seasons in juniors, he eclipsed double-digit goals from the blue line. Those marks were good enough to earn him a place in the top 10 in goal-scoring for defensemen in back-to-back years. For a second-rounder, he was a steal for the Kraken.

Would you like to Dragicevic make the jump to the NHL in 2024-25, or give him more time to develop?