Kraken Make History, Select Chase Reid With No. 7 Overall Pick in 2026 NHL Draft
It’s been a somewhat challenging past 24 hours for the Seattle Kraken, who reportedly had the framework for a blockbuster sign-and-trade to acquire Dallas Stars star Jason Robertson in place on Thursday, only for the player to decline a reported eight-year, $15 million contract offer to veto the deal.
Fortunately for the Kraken, however, good fortunes appeared to smile on the franchise in Friday night’s opening round of the 2026 NHL Draft. Benefiting from a bit of good luck for a change, general manager Jason Botterill reeled in one of the best defensemen in a strong draft class by investing the No. 7 overall pick in Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) standout Chase Reid, securing a player who many expected to be gone in the first four or five picks.
The selection of Reid carries significance history-wise for Seattle, marking the first time in six drafts that the organization has selected a defenseman in the first round. And, in time, they will be hoping his arrival coincides with greater success on the ice in the near future.
Reid, a native of Chesterfield, Michigan, projects as a true two-way defenseman who offers scoring ability that has conjured up comparisons to Avalanche star Cale Makar. He recently committed to Michigan State University, previously playing for the US Junior National Team as well, and will suit up for the Spartans during the 2026-27 season.
The word “dynamic” is overused in today’s jargon for scouting reports, but in Reid’s case, the term fits perfectly for a player who offers a well-rounded skill set for his youth. He dominates in transition as an elite skater with excellent speed and quickness. He led Sault Ste. Marie in plus-minus (+27) and earned recognition as one of the OHL West's top defensive players last season, quickly rising as a coveted prospect in a loaded draft class.
Reid has the frame (6-2, 190 pounds) to get even stronger and faster with an NHL regimen, and playing in the Big Ten next year against some of the best programs in the country will help him on that front before he ever gets into an NHL camp. Even at just 18 years old, he projects as a true No. 1 blueliner in the NHL very soon, with the Kraken likely hoping to see him sign an entry level contract and competing in the Pacific Northwest in the next couple of years after a little more seasoning at Michigan State.
Already with a crowded group of forwards on the current roster, the Kraken had a clear need for a defenseman going into this year’s draft, to the point where moving up to acquire a top prospect remained on the table. While it wouldn’t be fair to project him as a superstar in the making before he ever practices with the team, the selection of Reid has a chance to provide the building block necessary for Seattle to turn things around quickly, as he has that type of potential to be a true game changer for a franchise that has sorely lacked in the talent department in their first five seasons.
