Gavin McKenna Leads the 2026 Draft Class, and the Kraken NEED to See These WILD Trades

Okay, Kraken fans, breathe deep. We're staring down the barrel of the 2026 NHL Draft, and while everyone's buzzing about who's going where, one name is already carved in stone at the top: Gavin McKenna. Hockey News has him leading their top 120 prospects, and he's "pretty pumped" about potentially going No. 1 to Toronto. But honestly, while McKenna's future is bright, what's happening right now in the league with this absolutely bonkers trade market is what should have every single one of us in the Emerald City glued to our screens. This isn't just pre-draft chatter; it's a full-blown seismic shift, and our Kraken need to be ready.

The Draft's Next Big Thing Just Stated His Case

So yeah, McKenna is the real deal, folks. Leading the Hockey News top 120 is no joke, and when a guy is talking about being hyped to go first overall, you know the scouts are drooling. This kid is the future, and while he might be dreaming of the Leafs, every single team, including our own Kraken, has gotta be watching his every move. It's not every year you get a prospect making this kind of noise this early, and you know these young players are "geeking out" over all the chaos happening around them too.

Trade on Every Game with Kalshi

Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.

This Trade Frenzy is ABSURD and Shaping Our Competition

Seriously, has anyone seen a trade market like this before the draft? It's absolute pandemonium out there! Just look at some of the moves: Valeri Nichushkin got shipped from the Avalanche to the Blue Jackets. Brady Tkachuk is off to the Panthers from the Senators, which is a HUGE move. Then Alex Tuch is heading to the Capitals from the Sabres, even signing an 8-year deal with them. Jordan Kyrou is now a Capital too, coming from the Blues for McMichael and a pick, and he's apparently got "a lot to prove." Hathaway traded to the Panthers by the Flyers for draft picks. It's not just trades, either. Benson just inked a 7-year, $52.5 million contract with the Sabres, and Moore signed a 2-year deal with the Ducks. The Wild's owner says they'll sign Hughes to a new contract too. These are seismic shifts, people! Every single one of these players could be a Kraken rival, and we need to understand how the league landscape is changing.

Coaches, Retirements, and Big Decisions Galore

Beyond the player movement, there's even more happening. Mike Babcock is back, taking over the Oilers, with Hyman already saying they'll be "most prepared" under him. And Willie Ward joined a Vegas affiliate as the second Black AHL coach. That's big news. On the player side, Jonathan Toews just hung up his skates, what a career. Meanwhile, Zach Werenski is meeting with the Blue Jackets GM about his future, and Auston Matthews is "extremely excited" for his future in Toronto. Even the Sharks GM is out there saying they're "not afraid" to trade that No. 2 pick! That's a huge potential shake-up. The NHL is even looking at expansion in Houston and Austin. This league never sleeps, does it?

So, what does this all mean for our beloved Kraken? We've got Matty Beniers, Jordan Eberle, Jared McCann, Chandler Stephenson, and the whole crew on the ice for us, but the future of the league is being built right now. With all these trades and top prospects like Gavin McKenna making waves, Ron Francis and the front office have to be analyzing every single move. The 2026 NHL Draft is going to be massive, and these early season shifts are setting the stage for what kind of competition our boys will face for years. Keep those eyes peeled, Seattle, because it's going to be a wild ride!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.