Kraken Trade Up, Land Pair of Defensemen in Second/Third Round of 2025 NHL Draft

Edmonton Oil Kings defenseman Blake Fiddler looks on during a regular season WHL game. Credit: Blake Fiddler/Instagram

After landing another playmaking center in Jake O’Brien with their top-10 pick on Friday, the Seattle Kraken fortified their defense by trading up in the second round to select Edmonton Oil Kings defenseman Blake Fiddler with the 36th overall pick of the 2025 NHL Draft.

In an unexpected trade up, the Kraken struck a deal with Flyers, swapping picks No. 38 and 57 in exchange for picks No. 36 and 68. Sliding up two spots ensured that the franchise would land Fiddler, who is expected to return to the WHL for another season with the Oil Kings as he continues to develop on the track for NHL arrival in 2026 or 2027, while also doubling up on defensemen by selecting Will Reynolds of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan of the QMJHL with the 68th pick.

A formidable 6-4, 209 pounds, the 17-year old Fiddler offers rare mobility as a skater for a player of his size, allowing him to hold his own pushing opponents away from the net and to the perimeter. He’s a capable attacker with the puck who offers above-average passing ability to set up teammates on the offensive and he produced 33 total points (10 goals, 23 assists) in 64 games for the Oil Kings last season, a team-high for a defenseman. Even with those numbers, however, his game on that side of the ice remains inconsistent and lacking polish.

Given his athletic tools and physicality guarding the net, Fiddler projects as a likely second line blueliner who could carve out a lengthy career in the NHL with proper development in the WHL. But expanding his offensive toolbox to go with his already intriguing defensive chops will be the key to how quickly he makes it to the league and whether or not he can stick around long-term.

Like Fiddler, the 17-year old Reynolds will need time before he’s ready to take the ice against NHL competition, particularly in regard to offensive skills, where he has yet to emerge as a consistent threat to do damage with the puck as a passer or shooter. In 64 games for Acadie-Bathurst Titan last season, he recorded four goals and 10 assists for 14 total points, a relatively pedestrian stat line.

But while he has to become stronger and more physical, Reynolds does have several developed traits that already are on the cusp of being NHL ready, starting with his ability to deflect passes and thwart opposing rushes. He’s a highly-instinctive player who not only does a good job of getting the puck out of harms way, but also making crisp passes to teammates at an 84 percent completion rate. He excels as a situational defender as well, often relied on by Acadie-Bathurst Titan as a key power play killer.