Pavel Malyugin 4. Carson Soucy, Seattle Kraken
Position: LD/RD
2021-22 Statline: 33-6-7-13
Contract: UFA in 2023, $2.75m AAV
Age: 27
I adore everything about Carson Soucy’s gameplay. Leaving his monstrous size out of the picture, this is a young-ish defenseman who knows how to score and fraternizes an advantageous two-way game. He’s all over the ice, and he’s invariably in the right position.
He’s got a fantastic 200-foot game.
Soucy has appeared in only 33 games this season, but he’s tied for 5th on the Seattle Kraken in primary assists with 5, 47 isolated shots for, 1.93 ixG (isolated expected goals), and 37 blocked shots.
To further his skill, he’s 5th on the Kraken in hits for with 61 (that’s roughly 1.85 hits per game) and has a 13.33% shooting percentage.
The 6-foot-5, 212-pound defender has had some of the best finishing luck in the entire league among defensemen this year. This may sound unfamiliar to Kings fans, and that’s because the LA Kings are dead last in the NHL via finishing.
If the Kings want to score some goals while having a defensive impact, Carson Soucy is your guy. He’s improved his defensive game tremendously, and the pucks have been going into the net for him.
I do believe that he could elevate his game even further if he were to play on a line with Drew Doughty. He’s got the offensive and defensive skills, and he always finds the back of the net.
Carson Soucy gets saucy and scores the rebound to tie the game 3-3. 👏 #NHLonSN pic.twitter.com/WPKDyNkE8C
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 19, 2021
Soucy isn’t a star in the NHL, but he is one of those players who could enhance his skills while playing with a top-notch defenseman.
For instance, Drew Doughty. His price may be a bit more expensive– we’re talking a third-round pick as well as a lower-end prospect– but he’s still young, and he’s going to be a good fit with a team like the LA Kings.
Next: Nicolas Roy