Most of the eight 2026 Seattle Kraken draft picks will be heading off to play college hockey. That’s just fine with director of amateur scouting Robert Kron.
The fact that the NCAA schedules fewer games than junior hockey used to be viewed as a detriment to a player’s development. Kron instead sees it as a feature, not a bug. “They can focus on the off-ice, getting stronger, getting bigger. They can spend some time in the gym and get the physical aspect of their bodies up to where it needs to be for the next level.”
With more top players going the college route, it’s increasingly the way to compete against the best. “It’s a fast-paced game, faster than the junior leagues would be. They’re going to be tested. It’s a physical game. Things happen quickly. It speeds up their route to to the NHL ultimately.”
If you’re wondering why the scouting director was smiling in the featured image, read his comments on some of the Kraken’s newest prospects.
1st Round Kraken Pick Chase Reid, 7th Overall, Defense
“Chase, he’s got the size, he’s a really good skater, he’s got excellent hockey sense. He reads the the game very well. He jumps into play. Great shot. He can run the power play, walk the blue line.
“His drive and his overall feel for the game makes him one of the most exciting defenseman in this draft and we’re really lucky that we got him. He has a plan when he goes back under pressure, and he knows where the pucks are going from his stick. He’s offensively driven, so the defense is something that he’s going to work on and improve.
“(Reid’s OHL team) Sault Ste. Marie used him in all situations: PK, last minute. He played 30 minutes-plus. Offense is what sets him apart, but he’s defensively very responsible as well.”
2nd Round Kraken Pick Casey Mutryn, 38th Overall, Right Wing
“Casey was a captain of the US National Development Program (in the USHL). He’s a team guy. Doing an interview at the combine with him, we could tell that this guy’s going to do the right things, and people will follow him on the ice and away from the ice. Pretty much every player we interviewed, they mentioned him as a person that carries the team on his back.
“He plays a heavy game, a big body who can score. He uses his physical attributes; finishes his checks, goes to the net, not easy to move. He causes chaos when he drives that net. He has the personal drive, because without it you can’t get anywhere.”
4th Round Kraken Pick Viktor Fedorov, 99th Overall, Center
“Viktor is an extremely skilled two-way forward, a really good skater. He played some KHL games already, a very tough league, and didn’t look out of place. We would like to see a little bit more offense, but his maturity at this age to play on both sides of the rink is exceptional.
“He’s not the biggest guy, but very strong on his feet. We went to see him at the camp in Florida before the draft, so we were able to have a visual on him. He was one of the top players there.
“He’s going to stay in in Russia. He should be a regular in the KHL, which for us as a development path is very good; we don’t mind that at all.”
5th Round Kraken Pick Finn Kearns, 131st Overall, Defense
Finn Kearns has lacrosse in his background. That’s a plus, says Kron.
“Going back to Wayne Gretzky or Joe Nieuwendyk, they were really good lacrosse players. It is a hard sport. There’s physicality, a lot of running, you got to use your hands, and strategy. I actually like it that these kids play that sport.”
Other things Kron sees in Kearns: “Strong character, extremely intelligent, plays a hard, physical game. He needs to develop a little bit more. He’s going to UMass, so, again, great path for him. He’s a big body on defense, very hard to play against, and he just loves his teammates. He just leads the group. He’s a presence that’s very important in the locker room and on the ice.”
Quotes were edited for clarity and length.
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