Kraken Are Ready to Make Franchise History with the No. 7 Pick: Our Future Depends on It

Alright, Emerald City! You already know General Manager Jason Botterill has been cooking up some moves this week. He locked down Mackie Samoskevich in a trade from Florida for our No. 25 pick and even brought back Bobby McMann with a six-year extension. That's big for our immediate offensive punch, no doubt. But listen up, because Friday’s opening of the Upper Deck NHL Draft in Buffalo is where our future truly starts, and it looks wild! We still hold that crucial No. 7 overall selection, and if Botterill, Robert Kron, and the scouting crew stick to their plan, we are about to see something totally unprecedented for our Kraken.

The Long Game Is the Only Game for the Kraken

Botterill ain't messing around with quick fixes for the draft itself. While those other moves addressed some current scoring needs, the draft is all about the long play. Our GM said it himself, "It's still our situation where we have to do that." He means picking the best player available, not just someone to step onto the ice at Climate Pledge Arena tomorrow. Why? Because even the top talents we're eyeing? They're gonna need two or three years before they even start making an NHL contribution. That's a serious commitment to building something lasting, folks!

Defenseman First Round? Finally!

This is where it gets crazy, Seattle! All signs point to the Kraken taking an opening-round defenseman for the first time in fra

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nchise history! Can you believe it? Think about it: every single one of our previous first-round picks, from Matty Beniers at No. 2 in 2021 to Berkly Catton and Jake O'Brien at No. 8 in 2024 and 2025, has been a forward (except for Eduard Sale, a winger in 2023). We've got names like Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg projected to go first and second, but by the time we pick at No. 7, there could be some absolute studs on defense just waiting for us. We're talking guys with NCAA and European pro experience, like Keaton Verhoeff from North Dakota or Alberts Smits from Finland. Or even major junior stars like Carson Carels, Daxon Rudolph, and Chase Reid. Our highest-drafted defenseman ever, Ryker Evans, was a second-rounder in 2021, and he's played 176 games for us! We've snagged Brandon Montour and Ryan Lindgren in free agency to bolster the blue line, but this draft pick is different. This is about drafting a foundational D-man for the future of our squad. Now, if a top defenseman isn't there, or if Botterill pulls a surprise, keep an eye out for forwards like Caleb Malhotra, who absolutely tore it up with Jake O'Brien last season. Or maybe Swedish pro Viggo Bjorck, Ethan Belchetz, or Wyatt Cullen. Whoever it is, this No. 7 pick is critical. Round 1 of the Upper Deck NHL Draft kicks off Friday, June 26, at 4 p.m. PT. You know I'll be glued to ESPN, waiting to see who joins Beniers, Wright, Catton, and the rest of our drafted core. This pick is about cementing our identity for years to come. 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.