The #7 Pick Is Set For the Kraken, and the Emerald City Should Be HYPED

Alright, Seattle, buckle up! We all know that 2025-26 season felt like a punch to the gut, ending without a sniff of the playoffs after those brutal 2-0 and 4-1 losses in April. It stung, big time. But guess what? The Draft Lottery just dropped, and our Kraken are officially picking 7th in the 2026 NHL Draft! That's right, #7! And trust me, after what we've been through, this isn't just a pick, it's a statement. It's a chance to shake things up and bring some serious talent to the Emerald City.

A #7 Pick After a Season of Grinding

We watched our squad fight, but let's be real, missing the playoffs for the 2025-26 campaign hurt. The team ran out of gas, wrapping up Game 82 in April with those tough losses. Assistant coach Jessica Campbell even moved on to new opportunities back in May, which was a real shake-up. You gotta wonder, what's next for the core of Matty Beniers, Jordan Eberle, Jared McCann, Chandler Stephenson, and the rest? This #7 pick isn't just a lottery ball, it's a chance to inject raw, young talent directly into that lineup and spark a new era. It's exactly what we need after the kind of year we just had.

More Than Just On-Ice Moves

But hold up, it's not just about who we draft. Our Kraken front office has been busy behind the scenes, showing they're serious about building a lasting legacy here. Just recently, they hired an audit firm called Sportsology to really dig into things. Plus, in a massive win for the future of hockey in our state, the Kraken announced a brand new $60 million Kirkland Iceplex! That's right, they're planting an eastside flag, expanding our hockey footprint. This isn't just about the NHL roster, folks, it's about the entire organization growing and investing in the sport from the ground up. It shows ambition, and it shows they're thinking long-term.

Baby Squids Are Crushing It Too

And don't even get me started on our baby squids, the Coachella Firebirds! While the big club struggled, our AHL affiliate was absolutely lighting it up. They fought tooth and nail, winning games and extending series in April, even taking down Ontario in double overtime to win their series. Now they're deep in the Round 3 playoffs! That's a pipeline of talent, a blueprint for winning, and proof that the Kraken's player development system is already churning out contenders. Imagine bringing that winning mentality and skill straight into the main roster alongside whoever we snag at #7!

So, yeah, the 2025-26 season is in the books, but the real work has just begun. With that #7 pick in our hands, the future for our Kraken is looking brighter than a summer day on Puget Sound. We're talking about a chance to redefine this team, to bring in a cornerstone player who can change the game. Keep your eyes peeled, Seattle, because this offseason is going to be electric. Let's get ready to welcome the next star to the Emerald City, and get our boys back to fighting for the Cup!

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