The Seattle Kraken entered Monday’s 2025 NHL Draft Lottery with the sixth-best odds to win the Lottery and move up to a top-two pick. Overall, the Kraken had a 15.4 percent chance of seeing their pick position improve, 34.1 percent chance of sticking at the No. 6 overall pick, and 50.5 percent chance of losing a position or two.
As it turns out, luck was not on Seattle’s side Monday because the drawings ended with the Kraken locked in at the No. 8 overall pick for the second straight season. The New York Islanders won the first draw, moving up from the No. 10 position to first overall. And the Utah Hockey Club won the second draw, moving up from No. 14 to fourth overall. These teams both leaped over Seattle, pushing the Kraken down two spots. (If you want to know more about how the Lottery works, check out our Lottery explainer.)
Last summer, the Kraken took Spokane Chiefs standout Berkly Catton at No. 8. Who could be available for them at the No. 8 spot this year? Let’s take a look at a few potential candidates:
Jake O’Brien | F | Brantford Bulldogs (OHL) | Games: 66, Goals: 32, Assists: 66
O’Brien is a high-scoring OHL forward still growing into his 6-foot-2 frame. Recently compared by Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects to Wyatt Johnston, O’Brien has done nothing but score this season and rise up draft boards. Bob McKenzie of TSN has O’Brien as his No. 7 overall skater after talking with professional scouts. Corey Pronman of The Athletic describes O’Brien as “a finesse player with tons of feel, poise and craftsmanship on the puck, with an ability to put pucks into spaces for both his linemates but also himself.” O’Brien is NHL Central Scouting’s No. 4 North American skater, and he is No. 4 in my Data Score metric.
Roger McQueen | F | Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) | Games: 17, Goals: 10, Assists: 10
McQueen is a 6-foot-5 forward with a strong shot and at times impressive puckhandling skills to match. McQueen missed the majority of his draft-eligible season with a back injury, which will be an important question mark many teams need answered about the hulking forward. Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff notes that McQueen is “hard to miss out there, bringing out traits similar to those of Cayden Lindstrom last year – including on the injury front, unfortunately. McQueen can push players away like it’s nothing, and he’s got the all-around talent to be thrust into just about any role.” McQueen is ranked No. 8 overall by McKenzie, No. 8 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, and No. 20 in Data Score.
Victor Eklund | F | Djurgårdens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan) | Games: 42, Goals: 19, Assists: 12
Brother of San Jose Shark William Eklund, Victor is a smaller, skilled but relentless forward who helped his Swedish team earn promotion from HockeyAllsvenskan to the SHL, the top league in Sweden, this season. For long stretches of the season, he outperformed his more heralded teammate Anton Frondell. According to Smaht Scouting, Eklund is “a player with an intense motor, capable of producing and processing high IQ plays at very high speed, moving smartly through the ice, and with a quick change of direction to create space and shoot.” He is the No. 2 European skater according to NHL Central Scouting and he is No. 10 in Data Score.
Jackson Smith | D | Tri-City Americans (WHL) | Games: 68, Goals: 11, Assists: 43
The 6-foot-3 Smith is among the next tier of defense prospects after the likely No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer. And Smith’s local junior hockey roots certainly aren’t a mark against him, given Seattle’s previous drafting habits. According to Ellis, Smith is “quite well-rounded for his age which scouts love.” “He’s a pain in the rear end to try and beat in 1-on-1 situations because he loves getting in your face as much as possible.” On the other hand, Good Friend of the Sound Of Hockey Podcast Chris Peters recently noted that he has questions about Smith’s overall hockey sense. Smith is No. 10 on McKenzie’s list, No. 13 among North American skaters for NHL Central Scouting, and No. 19 in Data Score.
Radim Mrtka | D | Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) | Games: 43, Goals: 3, Assists: 32
Speaking of local defensemen, Radim Mrkta, who played much of his draft season with the Seattle Thunderbirds, is a towering 6-foot-6 right-shot defenseman who has been gradually ascending draft boards this season. According to Pronman, the Czech-born “Mrtka can transport pucks down ice, activate and join the rush, walk the line and even side-step pressure in control. He shows good poise and comfort on the puck, with a willingness to hold onto it and make a play.” Mrtka is the No. 5 North American skater for NHL Central Scouting, No. 11 overall for McKenzie, and No. 29 in my Data Score stat.
He was a force in the WHL after making the move to North America, racking up three goals and 32 assists in 43 games and helping the T-Birds to an unlikely postseason berth.
* * *
Who do you see the Kraken drafting at No. 8 overall? Leave your picks in the comments below or on X @deepseahockey or @sound_hockey or on BlueSky @deepseahockey or @soundofhockey.com.
Curtis Isacke
Curtis is a Sound Of Hockey contributor and member of the Kraken press corps. Curtis is an attorney by day, and he has read the NHL collective bargaining agreement and bylaws so you don’t have to. He can be found analyzing the Kraken, NHL Draft, and other hockey topics on Twitter and Bluesky @deepseahockey.
No idea what the Kraken end up doing with their pick but I CAN say which of the above players I WOULDN’T draft.
McQueen. Big player with a major back injury at 18 seems super risky. Caden Lindstrom didn’t play a single game this year with a similar injury. Also I read somewhere most of McQueens points in the games he did play came against teams that didn’t make the WHL playoffs (and there is only like 4 teams that don’t make the playoffs right?)
Mrtka. Seems like an okay player but is over hyped because of his size. I watched all of the Thunderbirds first round series against Everett this year and I barely noticed him . Don’t really see the value in taking a defensive defenseman this high in todays NHL.
Smith, Eklund, O’Brien… all good picks
Mrtka had more points in his age 16-17 season (3-32–35) than Vince Dunn did in his (5-28–33), and he did it in 20 fewer games played (43 games for Mrtka vs 63 for Dunn). To call him a “defensive defenseman” is just plain incorrect (even though he’s also good defensively).
Yeah maybe, I’m mostly basing my opinion off of one playoff series and a few U18 games. I only remember one time where I was like wow that was a good offensive play. He is clearly a very good skater, and he is very good defensively. I guess I see him as one of those higher floor lower ceiling type players. I would be happy to be proven wrong. I’m definitely rooting for the kid regardless.
Conversely, at the U18’s Smith had some great offensive plays I noticed. But, I did see him get totally burned defensively at least once. I see a higher risk, higher reward prospect.
Various public rankings seem to disagree a lot on these two players . Some will have one player top ten and the other down around 20.
I think Jackson Smith would make a great choice. Feel it is a need for the Kraken. With all the speed and abilities Smith has shown, he is also in the younger group being drafted this year. I think the potential is through the roof. Like all young defenseman, till learning in some areas but they are allowing him to learn on the go with Tri City. Good choice for the Kraken.
Forces Seattle into the position of picking possibly the best player in the 2025 NHL draft class.
Jackson Smith! Hey, it worked for the Seahawks.
I think the Kraken go D in the first round. None of the forwards seem to fall into the “can’t miss category”. Mrtka (per Nah’s comments) has really good offensive ability and his size gives him the potential to be a shut down defender. Like (it seems) alot of European players he’ll have to become more physical and aggressive to maximize his skill set. Jackson seens more polished, a better skater and the more well rounded of the two at this stage. I think both have tremendous upside and I don’t think the Kraken could go wrong with either player. Just hope they don’t overthink this one.
Jackson SMITH
I agree, watched the games this year between Seattle and Tri City. You just could not miss Jackson Smith on the ice. Just too much potential there not to take the risk on. And to finish the year as WHL player of the week is a statement.
All things considered – new GM, need, quality of draft, etc – is this pick in play to be traded? They said they were going to be “active” in the offseason.
Yes.