Draft night for any professional team is an opportunity to identify young talent that could move their franchise forward. The 2026 Draft Night for the Kraken would be no different. The Seattle Kraken had the seventh pick of the NHL Draft, as they watched the teams ahead of them take the best players. They were forced to sit on their hands and wait to see who would be available to them when it was their turn to pick.
Draft day once again proved how unpredictable the process can be, with every General Manager viewing prospects through a different lens, making projections difficult for teams, players, and the media alike. As the Kraken watched the board unfold, their anxiety grew — but so did their optimism. By the time their selection arrived, Seattle found themselves energized by the talent still available, turning that early tension into genuine excitement about the player they ultimately drafted.
With the number seven pick of the 2026 NHL draft, the Seattle Kraken selected right-shot defenseman Chase Reid. The 6’3″defenseman was widely viewed as one of the top defensive prospects in the draft. Where the Kraken have historically used first-round picks on forwards, selecting Reid signals a desire to build a future top pairing around a homegrown defenseman.
“Very excited. We’re ecstatic…,” said Kraken General Manager Jason Botterill about their first-round draft pick. “So many things fit well in selecting Chase… offensive upside, he has size, great skater… he did an excellent job for Team USA at the World Juniors… went on a great playoff run in the OHL… just how he plays the game, I think, will fit very well in the Lane system here.”
“It’s tough for me being a proud Wolverine to draft a Spartan… but he had great development in the Soo… and what they’re doing at Michigan State developing players… we think it’s a great spot for him to continue his development.”
Seattle’s newest draft pick, Chase Reid, arrives with a grounded confidence shaped by resilience, growth, and faith. Reflecting on his path, Reid said his message to others is simple: “Never give up… no matter what life throws at you, nothing is too big to accomplish your goals.”
Reid, the Chesterfield, Michigan native, was often thought of as an offense‑only player, as he posted 40 points (7g/33a) in 39 games. Reid learned to embrace the challenge of rounding out his game. Additionally, there was speculation that he could go as high as second or third overall, yet Reid remained calm and grateful for where he was selected.
“I’m super happy to go to Seattle… ” It’s all in God’s hands… whatever the best fit was, was what was going to happen,” Reid said. He then added that he’s never been to Seattle and is “excited to see how it goes.”
“Picking my spots when I go up in the rush… I was all offense my first year… had to tone that back and play both sides of the puck,” Reid shared about his development. “Being able to play a two‑way game got me here.”
Kraken GM Jason Botterill recently emphasized that most players selected near the top of the draft are still two to three years away from becoming NHL contributors. Therefore, Reid is unlikely to step directly into the Kraken’s lineup, as their current depth enables them to be patient.
Reid is expected to attend the Kraken’s development camp, which will be held at Kraken Community Iceplex from June 29 to July 2. Because he won’t join the team right away, Reid’s expected development path will send him to Michigan State (as a continued development route), AHL Coachella Valley Firebirds, then a potential NHL call-up opportunity, and a full-time Kraken roster spot.
The Kraken already have established NHL defensemen such as Vince Dunn, Adam Larsson, Brandon Montour, Ryker Evans, and Ryan Lindgren. Should Reid develop into the elite defender Seattle hopes for, he could eventually become the franchise’s No. 1 right-shot defenseman. That is a valuable role because true top-pairing right-handed defensemen are among the hardest assets to acquire in the NHL.
Launched in 2021, the Seattle Kraken are the National Hockey League’s 32nd franchise and compete in the league’s Pacific Division. The Kraken will appear in their sixth season at Climate Pledge Arena in 2026-27. Visit SeattleKraken.com for the latest news and information, including press releases, multimedia, and content. Feel free to share your thoughts on the Seattle Kraken with me at https://x.com/whatsgoodnsport.
