Gavin McKenna's Got McDavid's Speed, and Our Kraken Are Just Six Picks Away From a Franchise-Changer

Emerald City, get ready! The 2026 NHL Draft is just days away, and this isn't just any draft. This is a full-on sneak preview of the 2030s, packed with the next generation of hockey superstars. And our Seattle Kraken? We're locked in with the 7th overall pick! That's right, we're sitting there, ready to grab a foundational piece when the puck drops this Friday, June 26, at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Toronto's got the first pick, eyeing Gavin McKenna, but after the Maple Leafs, it's San Jose, Vancouver, Chicago, the New York Rangers, Calgary, then US at number 7! This draft class is massive, and the Kraken are about to be right in the thick of it.

The Next Generation Is Built Different

Forget everything you think you know about young talent, because this 2026 class is just built different. Up at the top, everyone's buzzing about Gavin McKenna. This Penn State Nittany Lions forward, a lefty winger from Canada, is flat-out special. He lit up the 2025-26 season with 15 goals and 36 assists in just 35 games, and he even racked up 4 points for Canada in seven games. The kid set nine records for Penn State, grabbing the Big Ten scoring champion title and Big Ten Rookie of the Year. Scouts are calling him ultra-skilled, the next evolution of the modern era. They're even comparing him physically to Patrick Kane and Jack Hughes, and get this: McKenna's skating velocity? It's the same as Connor McDavid's when he was drafted first overall in 2015. Yeah, *that* McDavid. If Toronto snags him, it's a total game-changer for them. Right behind him, the San Jose Sharks are eyeing Ivar Stenberg for the #2 spot. This Swedish lefty winger is already ranked the #1 international skater b

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y NHL Central Scouting, and for good reason. At just 18 years old, he put up 33 points, with 11 goals and 22 assists. They're comparing his immaculate playmaking and vision to William Nylander. There are whispers Chicago might covet him to pair with Connor Bedard if he slips past the top three. These aren't just prospects, folks. These are future cornerstones, players who could be leading their national teams at the 2030 Winter Olympics!

Could a Defensive Monster Land in Seattle?

While the top two are pure offensive fireworks, let's talk about a guy with an incredible story: Keaton Verhoeff. This Canadian defenseman from North Dakota started out as a goalie until he was 12! His WHL coach, James Patrick, even laughed recalling it, saying, "I was shocked, I can still see that picture in my mind, and it’s such an amusing memory for me." But Verhoeff became a D-man and smashed records, scoring 21 goals as a 16-year-old. His physical traits and potential are being matched to Eric Johnson, the 2006 first overall pick. Plus, his time at North Dakota is mirroring Noah Dobson, according to Bleacher Report's Hannah Stuar. Imagine that kind of shutdown power in our defensive corps alongside guys like Vince Dunn, Adam Larsson, and Brandon Montour, adding to our already strong goalie Joey Daccord! This draft is huge. The Kraken are picking 7th, meaning we're perfectly positioned to grab one of these absolute studs. Whether it's a scoring machine or a defensive powerhouse, this class is loaded with players who could define the next decade of hockey. We're talking about players who could reach the NHL quickly and take on important roles, becoming franchise cornerstones by the end of the decade. Get ready, 12s, because our future starts Friday. Let's see who our Kraken bring home to the Emerald City!

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