> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Mock Draft: Projecting Who Kraken Will Pick in First 3 Rounds - URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/nhl-mock-draft-projecting-who-seattle-kraken-will-pick-first-3-rounds/ - Published: 2025-05-06T20:56:26.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T05:59:33.000Z - Author: Corbin Smith - Tags: Kraken, 2025 NHL Draft, Anton Frondell, Ben Kindel, Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen, Radim Mrtka, Luca Romano, Ryker Lee, Will Horcoff, Vaclav Nestrasil, Jackson Smith \[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="947"\] ![ Viewed as one of the top center prospects in the 2025 NHL Draft, Anton Frondell would add some offensive punch to the Seattle Kraken's lineup. Credit: Anton Frondell/Instagram ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1d/f2/1df2f77b-83dd-4bc0-a6d2-6d1bb5df89a3/content/images/2026/10/329779485_178832578369646_8956667897993689196_n-format-original.jpg) Viewed as one of the top center prospects in the 2025 NHL Draft, Anton Frondell would add some offensive punch to the Seattle Kraken's lineup. Credit: Anton Frondell/Instagram \[/caption\] While the Seattle Kraken weren’t near as fortunate during the NHL Draft lottery as they hoped they would be, coming off a disappointing season where the franchise finished seventh in the Pacific Division and missed the postseason, they still hold a top-10 pick along with two second-round selections to help accelerate their rebuild for next year and beyond. With an abundance of draft capital in the first two rounds, which players could the Kraken select to infuse their roster with talent and quickly push themselves back into contention for a Stanley Cup? Our writing staff dishes out their selections for each of Seattle’s first three picks in a three-round mock draft: ### Round 1, Pick 8 **Corbin’s Selection**: Anton Frondell, C, Djurgårdens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan) Quite experienced for a 17-year old, Frondell played in 29 games this past season for Djurgårdens, a U18 pro team in Sweden. In those contests, despite playing as a wing instead of his traditional center position, he scored 11 goals and 14 assists, providing an offensive spark for his new team with a sizzling, yet accurate slap shot in his repertoire. He’s a smooth skater with above average speed once he gets going, though he will have to become more explosive to be a consistent scoring threat in the NHL. Nonetheless, his playmaking ability with the puck as a passer and shooter provide the blueprint for him to be a dangerous offensive weapon in the league in the not-so-distant future, something the Kraken badly need even if center is a perceived area of strength, and he has room to grow on the defensive side as a two-way standout. **Chris’ Selection**: Radim Mrtka, RD, Seattle Thunderbirds (OHL) If I’m being honest, Mritka is the player I’ve wanted for the Kraken for the past few months, so it’s almost a “relief” to see them drop two spots as his value at eight makes a ton more sense than at six. A forward like Frondell or Roger McQueen certainly makes sense as well, but this would be that rare opportunity where need and BPA line up. He has the puck-handling skills and the athleticism to play at the top of the line someday, and his 6-6, 198-pound frame just adds to the intrigue. The Kraken have gotten a chance to see Mrtka a lot as he plays in their neighborhood, and while it’s far from a lock that Seattle will procure his services — it’s far from a lock that they’re even going to keep this pick — I just think the upside and floor of a player like Mrtka is too tantalizing to pass up if he’s still on the board. **Nick’s Selection**: Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City (WHL) For blueliners, you always covet a good mix of size and speed. The Kraken have never taken a defenseman in the first round, but Smith has both (6-3, 195 pounds) in spades. He basically does anything you could want from a defenseman at the NHL level. He can score, pass the puck, create good spacing, and be a pest on the defensive end, demonstrating a balanced all-around skill set. He also thrives in special teams scenarios. If Seattle is looking for the heir apparent to veteran defenders such as Brandon Montour or Vince Dunn and a good pair to young blueliner Ryker Evans, Smith is as good an option as Seattle likely could find in this draft and worthy of a top-10 selection. ### Round 2, Pick 38 **Corbin’s Selection**: Ben Kindel, RW, Calgary Hitmen (WHL) The Kraken have a history of selecting WHL standouts, including Berkly Catton in 2024, and Kindel would be an intriguing option to continue that trend early in the second round. One of the more electric offensive players in the WHL last season, he finished seventh in total points (99) with 35 goals and 64 assists, including 26 assists on power plays, excelling at setting up teammates for scoring opportunities. Like Frondell, he likely will need some more seasoning before he’s ready to take on NHL talent physically, as he’s on the smaller side at 5-10, 176 pounds and will need to add strength to handle the rigors of contact in the league. But there’s potential for him to be a rock solid winger at the next level in time with his high hockey IQ and scoring ability. **Chris’ Selection**: Ryker Lee, RW, Madison Capitols (USHL) If I am again being honest, I would probably take Kindel in this spot, but let’s have some fun and give another option. Lee was named the USHL Rookie of the Year after scoring 64 points with 31 goals, and finished sixth in total points in the league. Scouts give him rave reviews for his shot, as he has both accuracy and the ability to generate serious MPH to get the puck past tenders. He also appears to have a strong acumen for the game and puts himself into good position to get that shot off. He’s not viewed as the most athletic prospect in this class and he isn’t viewed as a future playmaker, and his skating is considered subpar at this stage of his career. There’d be plenty of time for the latter to develop, and he could become a top six forward if everything works out. If not, it’s easy to see Lee becoming a power play weapon with that shot. **Nick’s Selection**: Vaclav Nestrasil, RW, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) The Czechia native is an imposing presence at 6-5\. For reference, Seattle's tallest forward from last season was André Burakovsky, at 6-3\. His puck control and athleticism look like someone who is more small and nimble than someone of his giant stature, providing athleticism that doesn’t often come as a package with such size. An excellent passer with solid ice vision who scored 42 points for the Lumberjacks last season, Nestrasil is a UMass commit and barely 18 years old. There is a lot there to like, with still a lot of room to grow, though it would likely be a few years before he would be ready to contribute for the Kraken. ### Round 2, Pick 61 **Corbin’s Selection**: Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen, D, Michigan The son of Manon Rheaume, the first woman to play in the NHL as a goalie for the Lightning, Rheaume-Mullen has cut his teeth as a stalwart defender for the Wolverines, excelling at keeping his head on a swivel away from the puck to take away potential openings for passes and shots while having excellent stick control to consistently deflect the puck away from opponents. Seattle struggled to keep the puck out of the net last season, surrendering the seventh-most goals in the 2024-25 season, and while his offensive game remains a major work in progress, Rheaume-Mullen could be ready to contribute fairly early to help shore up those defensive issues as a late second round selection. **Chris’ Selection**: Luca Romano, C, Kitchener Rangers (OHL) The Kraken are going to address center even if it’s the strength of the team right now, I just have them doing it a little later than usual. Romano took a big step forward in his second season in the OHL with 26 goals and 51 points over 67 games, and at 17, he still hasn’t come close to tapping into his full potential. Romano is viewed as a two-way player, one who can make an impact both with the puck in his hands and as a willing defender to get the puck and start the transition game. He doesn’t have anywhere near the offensive upside of some of the other forwards in the class, but because of his two-way skill set as a potential penalty killer who can also obviously contribute on offense or he wouldn’t be considered a Top 50 prospect, he might have one of the higher floors. **Nick’s Selection**: Will Horcoff, C, Michigan Why not draw from the Michigan Wolverines' well again, as Seattle did with Matty Beniers? Another physically intimidating forward at 6-4, Horcoff isn't scared to use his stature to his advantage. He doesn't shy away from the trenches in the opponent's zone. Plus, he's a two-way player with him using that size on defense as well, as he’ll levy big hits along the boards with an enforcer mentality. An NHL franchise can never have too many athletic, imposing two-way centers and even with that position being a strong one for the Kraken, adding another high-upside player to the mix there would make too much sense at this stage of the draft.