Seattle Kraken sign Sudbury’s David Goyette to entry-level contract

The playoff-bound Seattle Kraken had more good news for their fans on Monday when they announced that former 2nd-round David Goyette agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract.

Goyette just finished an excellent sophomore season with the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves. The 19-year-old set career highs in goals (41) and points (92) to lead the Wolves; both totals were good for 9th-most in the “O.”

Because of his age, Goyette will either make the NHL club this fall or return to Sudbury, whose season ended at the hands of the Peterborough Petes last week, for a third season.

The Kraken selected Goyette as part of what they hope will be a franchise-changing 2022 draft. Seattle selected seven players in the first three rounds and four in the 2nd alone, including fellow major junior standout Jagger Firkus.

Goyette’s slick skating and 19-point improvement on an already impressive 2021-2022 season will entice Kraken fans, whose team has yet to add an elite scoring option.

Seattle has managed a franchise-first playoff berth in just its second season thanks to a combination of young contributors like Jared McCann and Vince Dunn and a steady veteran presence led by Jordan Eberle and Adam Larsson. 

If a youth injection that includes Poyette and 2022 fourth-overall selection Shane Wright, who joined the Coachella Valley Firebirds for the remainder of the AHL season on Monday, can add a scoring punch to the Kraken, the NHL’s newest team could become a force in the coming seasons.

The Kraken have 3 games left and could yet displace the Los Angeles Kings for the Pacific Division’s third seed. They return to action in Arizona against the Coyotes at 10 pm ET.