Maxim Agafonov

September 2026 – Agafonov spent most of his first post-draft season in the VHL with Toros Neftekamsk, recording three goals and four assists in 39 games while also seeing limited action with Tolpar Ufa in the MHL and Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the KHL. The 2025 fifth-round pick’s 6-foot-2 frame and right-handed shot are traits for Seattle to watch, while his defensive game and ability to move the puck continue to be his biggest strengths. Agafonov attended his second consecutive Kraken development camp in 2026 and is expected to continue his development in Russia rather than make the jump to North America immediately. Jayd Serdy

August 2025 – Agafonov is already an NHL-sized defenseman, and logged heavy minutes for his MHL team while finishing second on the team in goals by a defenseman. Agafonov will need to develop all aspects of his game over the coming years and remains a long work in progress as he returns to the MHL this fall. He isn’t worth stashing this far out, but is worth keeping an eye on to see if his game takes a step forward in the near future. He is likely to see time at all three Russian levels as most prospects like him will bounce around. Keep an eye on if he sees more time in the KHL than the VHL, as the latter usually does not bode well for their development. Alex Wyatt

June 2025 – Selected 134th overall, Maxim Agafonov is now a member of the Seattle Kraken. Mark Henry