The 7-1 Karmanov Draft Pick and Nobody in the NHL Is Ready For It

Alright, Emerald City! You thought summer was for relaxing? Nah, the NHL offseason just dropped a bomb, and it’s shaking up the entire league before we even hit September. The 2026 trading period is ON, and GMs are making moves that could define next season, for better or worse. We’ve already seen some wild stuff go down, but one pick from the draft is still making waves and it’s got everyone buzzing.

The Goalie Market Shakes Up

First up, the Florida Panthers just scooped up goalie Markstrom from the Devils. That’s a massive move, a real game-changer for a team looking to make a statement. You know how crucial goaltending is, and seeing a guy like Markstrom switch sides this early in the offseason tells you GMs aren’t messing around. This kinda deal sets the tone, making you wonder what other netminders might be on the move before puck drop. Every team, including our Kraken, has to be looking at how these chess pieces are moving across the league. Joey Daccord is watching, and so are we!

Blue Line Battles and Rivalry Rekindled

And it’s not just the goalies getting all the attention. The Toronto Maple Leafs grabbed pending free agent defenseman Darren Raddysh back on June 19. Talk about an early grab! Then, the St. Louis Blues made a play for Carlo, snagging him from the Leafs for a pair of picks. That’s a double whammy for Toronto, losing a D-man after picking one up. But listen, the real headline for us here in the PNW? Gallagher is out of Montreal and headed to the Vancouver Canucks! Yeah,

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you heard that right. Our rivals just got a new face, and you know that’s gonna add some extra spice to those Kraken vs. Canucks matchups. Get ready, 12s, those games are going to be electric.

Draft Shocks and Contract Talks

Beyond the big trades, teams are locking up talent and making some eyebrow-raising draft choices. The Sabres re-signed Malenstyn to a six-year, $17.5 million pact, a solid commitment there. The Sharks wasted no time, inking Kesselring to a new deal right after acquiring him. Over in Nashville, the Predators signed new addition Drury for five years and $22.5 million. And you gotta love the Penguins, putting family first and drafting both Ruck twins. But the wildest draft news? The San Jose Sharks selected Karmanov, the tallest player ever picked at 7-foot-1! Can you even imagine that guy on the ice? What a prospect, and it just shows you the kind of talent coming into the league. The Carolina Hurricanes even snagged Carlson’s rights in a trade with the Ducks, rounding out a busy initial burst of offseason activity. This offseason is already proving to be a whirlwind, and it’s setting the stage for what looks like an insane 2026-27 season. Our Kraken are out there, watching these moves, and you know Matty Beniers, Jordan Eberle, and Vince Dunn are getting hyped. We've got a taste of what's coming, and I'm already counting down the days. Mark your calendars, Emerald City, because the Kraken are set to face the Vancouver Canucks on September 19! It's gonna be a fresh start, a clean slate at 0-0, and you know we'll be there, cheering them on. Let's Go Kraken!

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