The Seattle Kraken did not get the NHL Draft Lottery luck they hoped for, falling to the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Now the big question becomes: what does Jason Botterill do next?
On this episode of The Frozen Deep, we break down the Kraken’s disappointing draft lottery result, why missing out on elite prospects like Gavin McKenna changes the entire direction of the offseason, and whether Seattle should consider making an aggressive trade to move up the board. Could the Kraken package picks and prospects to land a true franchise-changing player? Or should they stay patient and continue building through their prospect pipeline?
We also dive into potential NHL Draft targets at No. 7, including Chase Reid, Ivar Stenberg, Caleb Malhorta, Keaton Verhoeff, Albert Smits and other rising prospects who could fit Seattle’s long-term vision. Plus, we discuss why this offseason may become the “summer of trades” across the NHL and why the Kraken cannot afford to stay passive in a loaded Pacific Division.
The conversation also covers:
Seattle Kraken draft strategy
NHL Draft trade-up scenarios
Jason Botterill’s first major offseason decisions
Kraken prospect pool outlook
NHL free agency expectations
Pacific Division competition
Coachella Valley Firebirds playoff updates
Kansas City Mavericks playoff run
Future Seattle Kraken roster construction
If the Kraken want to become a true Stanley Cup contender, this may be the most important offseason in franchise history.
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