Seattle Kraken fans, the pick is in! Jake O’Brien is officially the newest addition to the Kraken as the Seattle team selects the talented center in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft.
Join host Erica L. Ayala of Locked On Kraken as she breaks down the analysis of this exciting draft pick, discusses O’Brien’s potential impact on the team, and highlights what’s next for Seattle’s rookie class.
Plus, Erica dives into Jake’s background, scouting reports, and how his skill set fits into the Kraken’s roster strategy for the future.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Kraken Draft Jake O’Brien
02:20 – Immediate Reaction to Draft
07:05 – Jake O’Brien Prospect Profile
08:18 – Future Plans for O’Brien
12:19 – Interview with Jake O’Brien
14:18 – Jake O’Brien’s Hockey Legend Mom
16:29 – Jake O’Brien’s Journey in Hockey
18:23 – Jake O’Brien’s Sister’s Influence
21:32 – What’s Next for Jake O’Brien
24:58 – Development Camp Schedule Overview
29:10 – What Did We Miss in Coverage
32:40 – Show Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts
33:18 – Final Wrap-Up
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ABOUT LOCKED ON KRAKEN
Locked On Kraken is a daily podcast covering the 32nd NHL team! Host and freelancer journalist Erica L. Ayala (Locked on WBB, Forbes, Sports Illustrated, and more) helped the then NHL Seattle franchise launch the Seattle Kraken brand back in July 2020.
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4 Comments
Why, why, why another forward?? I am SO mad! We need help and improvement on defense, and Mrtka was available! I will NEVER understand the Kraken's aversion to picking a defenseman. I can't stand it. Looks like another year of missing the playoffs.
It is what it is, he’s ours now so let’s get behind him. I liked his interview and demeanor and Catton is almost certainly going on a wing now
Joel Quenneville Wil Coach the bright young prospect Roger McQueen. Joel could've Coached Jake Obrien. Pity.
I talked about it already in the last video, but I figured this is what they would do. Everything GMJB said leading up to the draft was about going best player available, and I don’t think I saw a single ranking that had defense being in the top 8.
I personally was really hoping Martone would fall to us – I had Martone, Hagens, and Martin as players I coveted a little more, and of course they went off the board one right after another just before we picked.
For the situation we were in I think O’Brien was the absolute best choice. I don’t think it’s as exciting a pick as someone like McQueen or Eklund, who were both available – but he’s a very high floor forward who might end up being the best overall playmaker from this draft class.
I didn’t see this video yesterday, and I’ve been busy today, but obviously day 2 is finished now as well. It played out very similarly to how I figured it would. We went hard after defense in the second round, with Blake Fiddler being great value and a really high upside giant physical defenseman very similar to Mrtka.
I think our 3rd round pick is very interesting – he has a lot of physical potential, but I felt like we left some high upside forwards like Cameron Schmidt and Schäfer on the board.
Overall, I’d give this draft a solid A or A-. I think we walked away with 2 really high upside players in the first two rounds, a good physical player in the 3rd, and some good value as the draft went on. I’m super happy.
My only question now – where are this team’s elite goal scorers going to come from? Obviously we hope some of the young guys can become that, but there aren’t any prospects or players on the NHL squad that fit that mold right now. It’s the main thing we still need to address to become a “perennial playoff contender”.