Considering the eight Seattle Kraken 2026 draft picks included five D’s and two C’s, it’s encouraging that draft experts gave Seattle so many “A” grades for their selections. (The full list of Kraken draftees is below.)
ESPN Kraken Grade: A-
With defenseman Chase Reid unexpectedly falling to Seattle at #7 overall, “The Kraken wasted no time addressing a significant area of need and getting plus value on the selection. They extracted value with Casey Mutryn in the second round and made a lot of educated bets on players in the middle rounds, too.
“Bottom line, the Kraken got one of the very best defensemen in the draft at seventh overall and another first-round talent in Mutryn, who should be a middle-of-the-lineup contributor on the wing.”
Elite Prospects Kraken Grade: A+
David St.-Louis reserved one of his top grades for the Kraken. “Reid leans toward offence, but projects to do everything at a high level, from orchestrating a power play to breaking out the puck and also defending the rush. Seattle needed such a star on the back-end who could fuel their transition play.
“Mutryn was another smart pick. He’s your typical power playmaker, working the boards, digging at pucks, and feeding them to teammates in space. If he can further develop his skating, he could play anywhere in a lineup. Viktor Fyodorov could be a rare undersized checking forward, while the all-around Ola Palme represented terrific value in the sixth round.
“With a much-needed game-breaker now in the organization, this draft class could set the Kraken on the right path.”
Daily Faceoff Kraken Grade: A
Steven Ellis writes, “The Kraken finally snagged a defender in the first round, and it was the guy perceived to be the best on the board. Reid is a mobile, two-way defender who can make highlight-reel plays without sacrificing the bread-and-butter skills required to be a real difference-maker defensively. Mutryn is a personal favorite of mine, so I felt like that was a nice pick in the second round. He’s a true power forward who should have no issues cracking the bottom-six someday.”
Bleacher Report Kraken Grade: B+
Adam Herman was an outlier because, “I’m lower on Chase Reid than most. I worry that his playing style is more flash than substance, and that he was born in 2007, meaning he’s had extra development time compared to his peers.
“Even still, I can’t fault the Kraken for being elated to grab him at seventh overall. His four-way mobility is special. He’s a virtual guarantee to exit the defensive zone with the puck in possession, and he is a zone entry machine even when going up against numbers. I think his in-zone game is only good, not great. I don’t see a tactician or a high-end passer.”
The Score Kraken Grade: B+
Kyle Cushman, despite handing the San Jose Sharks an A++, was one of the tougher graders. “Many had Reid as the top-ranked defenseman, so this was a superb get for Seattle. He looked fantastic at the world juniors with Team USA and has developed rapidly over the past year and a half. In particular, Reid’s skating and shot stand out.
“Mutryn is a hard-checker with a bottom-six profile. Fedorov represents good value in the fourth round after he played KHL games as an 18-year-old.”
Kraken Grades Exclusively For 1st Round Pick
Corey Pronman of The Athletic weighed in with a grade of A, one of just four he awarded. “Reid is a talented defenseman with a lot of offensive tools. He has the speed, hands, vision and shot to generate chances and be a leading scorer for an NHL team. Reid can create in transition and off the blue line with his feet and creativity, showing high-end improvisation skills.
“Reid isn’t overly physical, but he works hard enough and makes plenty of stops due to his reach, feet and compete level even while playing an aggressive style of play offensively. He projects as a major minutes NHL defenseman who can run a first power play.”
SB Nation handed out an A+. “Kudos to the Kraken for taking advantage of the idiots in front of them. Reid is the best defender in this draft by a significant margin, with offensive skills that could make him Cale Makar-esque when he reaches the next level. Reid has shown elite stick skills, a gift for clogging lanes, and a player who can essentially become an extension of the offense when crossing into the zone. This is a franchise moment for the Kraken, and they needed a break.”
USA Today’s Mary Clarke awarded an A. “Reid can do it all with his tremendous puck skills, fantastic two-way play and elite skating. Don’t be surprised if he ends up as the best defenseman of this draft class when all is said and done.”
Sportsnet’s Ryan Dixon included Seattle among his draft winners. “For a franchise crying out for talent — which is why they threw all that money at Jason Robertson and, back in the winter, Artemi Panarin before him — landing Reid is a wonderful development.
“The Kraken get a salve in the form of a right-shot blue-liner who figures to be an offence-driver and PP1 fixture. Even if Reid doesn’t quite reach the offensive heights of fellow righties Cale Makar or Adam Fox, he still brings a bigger frame to the table than those guys, thanks to his six-foot-two stature.”
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