In the bustling world of NHL draft picks, the Seattle Kraken's choice of Casey Mutryn at 38th overall is a storyline worth diving into. Standing tall at 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 200 pounds, Mutryn hails from Norwell, Massachusetts, and he's got the kind of gritty, straight-line attacking style that makes scouts sit up and take notice.
It's not just his size and skill with the puck that caught the Kraken's eye; it's his play away from the puck that really sets him apart. This young man is a relentless force on the ice, crashing and battling on every shift, which is likely to carve his path in the NHL.
Mutryn's hockey roots run deep. His father, Scott Mutryn, once had dreams of NFL stardom as a quarterback with the New England Patriots and shared the field at Boston College in the mid-90s with none other than Matt Hasselbeck, who went on to make waves in the NFL.
Meanwhile, Casey’s older brother, Teddy, was snapped up by the San Jose Sharks in the third round just last year. Both brothers are set to lace up their skates for Boston College this coming season, adding another layer to the family’s impressive athletic legacy.
Despite not yet hitting his 18th birthday, Mutryn has already made a name for himself over two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program.
His leadership skills shone brightly as he captained Team USA at the U18 World Championships, racking up five points in as many games. His performance there was a testament to his all-around physical prowess and tireless energy.
The Kraken's decision to draft Mutryn came on the heels of their somewhat unexpected first-round pick, defenseman Chase Reid from the Ontario Hockey League, chosen at No. 7 overall. Reid’s selection turned a few heads, considering he was projected by some to be a Top 3 pick leading up to the draft.
As the draft continued, the Kraken had their hands full with a total of six picks spread across the final rounds. They snagged two fourth-round picks at Nos. 99 and 102, a sixth-rounder at 166, and wrapped up with two seventh-rounders at Nos. 198 and 204. Notably absent from their draft day haul were any selections in the third and fifth rounds, but with talents like Mutryn and Reid in their pocket, the Kraken are clearly playing the long game in building their future roster.
In Other News...
Kraken Fans Have Every Right To Be Furious About Chase Reid
Draft night is supposed to be a celebration for a first-round pick, the kind of stage where a young player gets a proper introduction and a team gets a fresh burst of attention. Instead, Chase Reids arrival with the Kraken felt oddly muted on ESPN, which moved quickly past Seattles selection and spent more time on other teams and players than on the newest name in the organization.
Sportsnet told the story much differently, giving Reid a fuller look and letting the moment breathe in a way the Kraken audience never got from the U.S. broadcast. For a fan base waiting to see its newest prospect introduced like a centerpiece, that contrast was hard to miss, and it only sharpened the sense that Seattles first-round moment deserved a lot more than the coverage it received. [Read more 🡒]
Kraken Just Made A Draft Pick Bet Fans Will Debate
Seattle kept leaning into the idea that young, usable talent is worth paying for, and this latest move fits that pattern. Mackie Samoskevich arrives with three NHL seasons on his rsum, a Stanley Cup ring from 2024-25, and the kind of forward profile that usually gets attention in a league that values speed and finishing ability.
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 🡒]