3 Seattle Kraken players that must dominate in 2023-24

3. Kailer Yamamoto

The Seattle Kraken needs Kailer Yamamoto to be a great player in 2023-24.

The Seattle Kraken have added a few different players over the off-season as they try to continue taking steps as an organization. One of those players is Kailer Yamamoto who is coming over from the Edmonton Oilers.

Edmonton made him their first-round pick, 22nd overall, in the 2017 NHL Draft. Since then, he has turned into a pretty good NHL player. In 2022-23, he was limited to 58 games and he had 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points. That isn’t terrible production but we know he can be even better.

His best season was the year prior when he played in 81 games and scored 20 goals with 21 assists for 41 points. He can clearly be an outstanding depth piece when he is healthy and getting opportunities.

That’s another thing. A guy like Yamamoto isn’t getting top-level ice time on a team like the Edmonton Oilers. With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the way at center, there were a few other wingers ahead of Yamamoto on the list.

In Seattle, he should see a spike in ice time. If he plays very well, this team can thrive. We know he has the pedigree to be a 20-goal scorer but he can be even better than that. Hopefully, that comes in year one with the Kraken.