Top prospects for Seattle Kraken

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, the top five prospects for the Seattle Kraken, according to NHL.com.

1. Chase Reid, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 7 pick in 2026 NHL Draft

2025-26 season: Soo (OHL): 45 GP, 18-30-48

The Kraken were thrilled to see Reid drop to them in the draft after being ranked No. 2 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

The 18-year-old right-shot defenseman (6-foot-3, 195 pounds) averaged better than a point per game over two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League while demonstrating the offensive tools to be a top-end No. 1 defenseman at the highest level.

“He's got a lot of tools that allow him to have a huge impact on the game,” said Cory Murphy, Seattle's director of player development. “He's a great skater, he's big, dynamic and he has great hands and vision that allow him to make plays under pressure. He's very elusive and creates from the offensive blue line and on the rush and he's done a really good job running power plays with his deception and skill level and a hard shot from the point too.”

Reid will play at Michigan State University this season, which has some wondering if he could follow the path of Philadelphia Flyers forward Porter Martone, who turned pro after one season at the school. That timeline might be harder for a defenseman -- even Cale Makar played two NCAA seasons before joining the Colorado Avalanche.

“He’s going to be challenged to take his game to the next level at a very good program, and we're just going to allow him to play and work on his game, both on the ice and off the ice, and just kind of see how it goes,” Murphy said.

Projected NHL arrival: 2027-28

2. Jake O'Brien, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 8 pick in 2025 NHL Draft

2025-26 season: Brantford (OHL): 53 GP, 28-65-93

O’Brien (6-2, 174) is coming off a second straight 90-plus point season in the OHL and was a finalist for the league’s most outstanding player award.

The playmaking 19-year-old right-shot center added 23 points (six goals, 17 assists) in 15 playoff games for Brantford before also getting into four playoff games with Coachella Valley of the American Hockey League. He will turn pro this season, either back in the AHL or with the Kraken.

“He continued to show who he is as a player with his vision and playmaking, the elite skill and leadership qualities,” Murphy said. “He really leaned into his face-offs and making sure that was a priority for the transition to pro.”

Projected NHL arrival: This season

3. Oscar Fisker Molgaard, F

How acquired: Selected in second round (No. 52) of 2023 NHL Draft

2025-26 season: Seattle (NHL): 13 GP, 0-2-2; Coachella Valley (AHL): 49 GP, 10-24-34

Fisker Molgaard (6-0, 168) excelled in his first season in North America, driving play in Coachella Valley, earning the trust of Kraken coaches during his first taste of the NHL, and adding three points (one goal, two assists) in four games for Denmark at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics.

Don’t be surprised if the 21-year-old spends more time in the NHL this year, especially after a summer focused on strength.

“He's got a chance to make an impact right away,” Murphy said. “He's a very smart, intelligent hockey player and his pace and details are excellent. He's in the right spots on the ice with the puck and away from the puck too.”

Projected NHL arrival: This season

4. Jani Nyman, F

How acquired: Selected in second round (No. 49) of 2022 NHL Draft

2025-26 season: Seattle (NHL): 28 GP, 4-3-7; Coachella Valley (AHL): 39 GP, 21-12-33

Nyman split time between the NHL and AHL in each of his first two seasons in North America, and though his scoring rate dropped while in Seattle last year, the 22-year-old still figures to spend more time there moving forward.

In addition to size (6-2, 212) and a great shot, Nyman is very coachable and showed high compete in the AHL playoffs.

“It was a learning year, but he definitely took some steps,” Murphy said.

Projected NHL arrival: This season

5. Julius Miettinen, F

How acquired: Selected in second round (No. 40) of 2024 NHL Draft

2025-26 season: Everett (WHL): 52 GP, 35-41-76

Miettinen (6-3, 205) was playoff MVP while leading Everett in scoring and to its first ever Western Hockey League Championship and helped Finland to a silver medal at the 2026 World Junior Championships, all while the 20-year-old continued to focus on skating and details that should help his transition to the pro game this season.

“Skates well and really uses his size to his advantage,” Murphy said. “He's tough to handle down low in the offensive zone and in front of the net, has good vision showed the ability to also find plays in traffic.”

Projected NHL arrival: 2027-28