Seattle Kraken Lands 7th Pick in 2026 NHL Draft After Lottery Shuffle

The Kraken are heading to Buffalo with a golden opportunity. Following Tuesday's draft lottery, Seattle secured the 7th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NHL draft, which takes place June 26 and June 27 at KeyBank Center. That's a solid landing spot for a franchise looking to add talent to its core group.

How the Lottery Shook Out

The Toronto Maple Leafs won the first draw, which means they're taking the top pick. San Jose grabbed second. From there, it's Vancouver at 3, Chicago at 4, New York Rangers at 5, Calgary at 6, then your Kraken at 7. Winnipeg slides in at 8, followed by Florida, Nashville, St. Louis, New Jersey, the Islanders, Columbus, another St. Louis pick from Detroit at 15, and Washington rounding out the top 16.

The first-round order got shuffled by the lottery, but rounds 2 through 7 stick with how teams finished in the 2025-26 regular season and the Stanley Cup playoffs. So there's still some unpredictability baked into this whole thing.

What This Means for the Kraken's Summer

The 7th pick gives Seattle flexibility. That's the kind of spot where you can either grab a prospect with star potential or address a specific need. With the draft happening in late June, the Kraken will have had plenty of time to scout, evaluate, and figure out where they want to go. It's a respectable haul for a team that's in the middle of the pack and still building something real.

Mark your calendar: June 26 and 27 in Buffalo. The Kraken brass will be on the clock, and this pick could shape the direction of the franchise for years to come.

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