Who will the Kraken draft in the first round Friday? Here are some options

As soon as the 2024 NHL entry draft begins Friday afternoon, center Macklin Celebrini will almost certainly become a San Jose Shark. The rest of the first-round projections are all over the place.

At a certain point, general managers will have insisted that they plan to take the “best available player” so many times that it’ll have to sink in. But this year, it just so happens that the best fit for the Kraken’s system and the best available option will likely be one and the same.

Entering their fourth draft, the Kraken could stand to grow in many areas. But behind Ryker Evans, there’s a short list of defensive prospects ready for a call-up. Conveniently, there’s a pack of talented blue-liners expected to be available at No. 8 overall, when Seattle is set to make its first-round pick.

Here are a few options they could see Friday at Sphere in Las Vegas:

Zayne Parekh, D, Saginaw (OHL)

Parekh is a prized right-handed defenseman, a perk more than one team has to have in its sights. He just won a Memorial Cup with Saginaw — which never hurts — after setting team records for goals and points by a defenseman. Before that he set a league record for goals (21) by a 16-year-old blue-liner. He was a power-play go-to for the Spirit, chipping in 10 regular-season goals.

Zeev Buium, D, University of Denver

This was a big year for Buium — the 6-foot, 186-pound, skilled playmaker. He drew pivotal matchups and won an NCAA championship with the Pioneers, along the way becoming the first NCAA freshman defenseman since 2002-03 to post 50 points. The San Diego-area native also took time out to win gold with Team USA at the World Junior Championship. As his historic season progressed, Buium climbed the NHL Central Scouting report, winding up fourth among North American skaters.

Berkly Catton, C, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

Catton has Washington ties, having totaled 116 points (52 goals, 62 assists) in 68 regular-season games for the Western Hockey League’s Chiefs. He was an alternate captain in Spokane. The Hockey News’ Tony Ferrari put him third in his final rankings, but many mock drafts have him going toward the middle of the first round, after the Kraken’s pick. Catton is said to be a hard worker, strong on the puck and creative.

Tij Iginla, C, Kelowna (WHL)

Before he broke out with the Rockets, Iginla broke in with the Seattle Thunderbirds. Following a trade, his tenacious play was rewarded and his numbers exploded, to the tune of 84 points (47 goals) in 64 games. He also helped Canada win gold at the IIHF World U18 Championships. His father is Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla.

Sam Dickinson, D, London Knights (OHL)

Whether he’s taken before or after Artyom Levshunov — widely seen as a top-five pick — Dickinson remains one of the best defensive prospects available. He might slip as far as No. 8. At 6-3, Dickinson has good size and all-around ability. He recorded 18 goals and 52 assists through 68 games last season for the Knights, then chipped in 13 more during London’s run to the Memorial Cup.

Konsta Helenius, C, HIFK (Finland)

The Finnish forward is 5-11 and a right-handed shot. Helenius is coming off a 14-goal, 36-point Liiga season. He’s been praised for his versatile, advanced two-way game and top-six forward potential. He reportedly thinks he’s close to ready for NHL action and sat No. 3 in NHL Central Scouting’s final ranking of international skaters for the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft.

Anton Silayev, D, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (Russia)

Silayev could go fast or scare several teams away. He has enviable size at 6-7, plus enticing skating ability. But any team that drafts him might have to wait — Silayev is signed with his Kontinental Hockey League team until the 2025-26 season.