Our Kraken Have The #7 Pick, And The Entire League Is Eyeing Seattle's Next Star

Alright, Emerald City! You thought the season was over for our Kraken, right? Think again! Before we dive into the long offseason, there's one massive event left that could define our team's future for years: the 2026 NHL Draft is HERE! And guess what? Our boys in teal are sitting pretty at the #7 overall pick! This isn't just another draft, folks. This is where legends are made, and Seattle could be getting its next superstar. While everyone's buzzing about Gavin McKenna going first, our pick is where the real drama unfolds for us.

Who's Headed for the Emerald City?

Okay, let's get into the top-tier talent. The consensus is that 18-year-old winger Gavin McKenna, fresh off an incredible year at Penn State, is basically a lock for the Toronto Maple Leafs at No. 1. He's electric, no doubt. But here's where it gets interesting: experts say it's going to be a super tight race between McKenna and Ivar Stenberg, a beast of a winger from Sweden's Frölunda HC. These guys are the real deal. Beyond those two, keep an eye out for names like Caleb Malhotra, Chase Reid, and Carson Carels, who could be absolute game-changers. But for us, for Seattle, the real suspense is what happens at pick #7. Who falls? Who do our scouts identify as the perfect fit for Climate Pledge Arena? This is where our front office earns their paychecks, finding that diamond or grabbing a top talent who surprisingl

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Don't Miss a Single Pick, Seattle!

You can't miss a second of this action. Round 1 of the 2026 NHL Draft kicks off TODAY, Friday, June 26, at 7 p.m. ET. That's 4 p.m. PT for us here on the West Coast, so you can literally get home from work and settle in for all the drama! Then, get ready for an all-day hockey feast, because Rounds 2 through 7 go down Saturday, June 27, starting bright and early at 11 a.m. ET (that's 8 a.m. PT). The whole thing is happening live from KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. If you want to catch every single moment, tune into Sportsnet or TVA Sports on your TV. And for all you streamers out there, you can catch the entire draft on Sportsnet via Prime Video. Seriously, set your alarms, cancel your plans, do whatever you need to do. This is our moment, Seattle, to watch the future of our Kraken unfold. What does this all mean for our Kraken? Well, this #7 pick isn't just a number. It's an opportunity to inject another jolt of talent into our lineup alongside guys like Matty Beniers, Jordan Eberle, and Jared McCann. It's about finding that next piece, that player who can help Joey Daccord backstop us to even greater heights. This isn't just about adding depth; it's about building a foundation for a contender. So, let's cheer on our front office today as they make the moves that will shape our future. We're on the cusp of something special, and it all starts with this draft. Get hyped, Seattle, because our future is looking bright!

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