The Seattle Kraken's draft night experience was a bit like being the overlooked younger sibling at a family reunion - you’re there, but nobody seems to notice. During ESPN's first-round draft coverage in Buffalo, the Kraken didn't quite get the star treatment. While other teams had celebrities announcing their picks, Seattle's first-round choice, Chase Reid, was introduced by none other than Commissioner Gary Bettman himself, sans any Hollywood flair.
Imagine Macklemore stepping up to announce the Kraken's pick - a Seattle music icon adding some local flavor to the proceedings. Instead, the spotlight was on other teams, with Justin Bieber making the pick for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Bills’ Dion Dawkins for the Sabres. Even Melinda French Gates, a notable Seattle figure, was absent from the scene.
The Kraken's draft headquarters didn't make it to the screen either, unlike many other teams whose executives were shown via remote cameras. And while fans from various teams were seen celebrating at watch parties, the Kraken faithful at the 32 Bar & Grill inside the Kraken Community Iceplex were left out of the broadcast.
After Reid's selection, the typical cozy interview setup was skipped. Most picks got their moment on a couch set with a CGI-enhanced backdrop featuring a fireplace and personal photos. Not Reid, who was a surprising pick still available at that point in the draft.
The decision to skip Seattle's moment wasn't necessarily a slight against the Kraken. In fact, the network gave them an A- for their draft efforts. Instead of focusing on Reid's selection, ESPN opted to chat with Matthew Schaefer, last year's number one pick, as if he needed to be reminded he was no longer in the running for this year's draft.
Meanwhile, Canadian network Sportsnet gave Reid his due spotlight. Interviewed by Ailish Forfar, Reid shared a heartfelt moment, expressing his gratitude for his family and friends who cheered loudly when his name was called.
Reid's journey to the NHL has been anything but smooth - from being cut from the USHL's Waterloo Black Hawks to finding his footing with the NAHL's Bismarck Bobcats. His path has been a testament to resilience and the strength of his support system.
In the end, while the Kraken might have been overlooked in the U.S. broadcast, Reid's story of perseverance and determination got the recognition it deserved across the border. And for the Seattle fans, it's another chapter in the making of a franchise that's steadily building its identity.
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Kraken Just Made A Draft Pick Bet Fans Will Debate
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For the Kraken, the real debate is not whether Samoskevich brings upside. It is how much future draft capital they were willing to move to add a 23-year-old center who has already shown he can help at the NHL level, and whether that price makes sense for a team still shaping its identity. General manager Jason Botterill made clear he believes the players speed and shot fit the way Seattle wants to play, but the full judgment on the deal will depend on what comes next. [Read more 🡒]
Kraken May Have Finally Landed The Draft Cornerstone Fans Wanted
The 2026 NHL draft brought a welcome wave of approval for the Kraken, who came away with mostly A grades from draft experts after leaning into a class that addressed several clear organizational needs. The centerpiece was defenseman Chase Reid at No. 7 overall, and evaluators were quick to point to his blend of offense and defense as the kind of profile Seattle has been searching for on the blue line. Casey Mutryn also drew praise as a smart second-round addition, while later picks like Viktor Fyodorov and Ola Palme added to the sense that the Kraken were doing more than just filling out a board.
Still, the early reaction was not unanimous, and there was just enough hesitation in the mix to keep the draft from feeling like a total no-brainer. A few analysts left room for doubt, including one B+ grade and some concern that Reid might bring more flash than substance, which is the sort of debate that follows any pick meant to become a foundational player. Even so, the broader verdict was clear enough for Seattle: this was a class that gave the fan base real reason to believe the front office may have added a cornerstone worth building around. [Read more 🡒]