Analysis: Ranking Kraken’s Top Five Prospects Heading Into 2026-2027 Season
The Seattle Kraken are set to begin their preseason schedule in roughly three weeks. The franchise has undergone something of a facelift this offseason, starting with Ron Francis stepping down as president, giving Jason Botterill a larger role than just general manager.
With that change at the top of command, the Kraken made a few trades and signings that will make the NHL roster look a little different to begin this season than it did 12 months ago.
One of the biggest moves the Kraken made was drafting defenseman Chase Reid seventh overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. He instantly legitimizes the prospect pipeline for Seattle, a group that ranks sixth-best in the NHL according to The Athletic’s Corey Pronman. They have the talent in the organization to build into a winner. The big questions are: can the Kraken develop them properly and which prospects are at the top of the list?
Let’s rank the top five prospects in the Kraken organization:
*One disclaimer: For this list, those who have played any games at the NHL level are ineligible. That would mean Jani Nyman and Oscar Fisker Molgaard are not considered for this list, even though many prospect lists still have them in their rankings.
No. 5: Ty Nelson, D
Age: 22
Draft: 68th overall in 2022
Despite his limited 5-10 frame, Nelson brings a physicality that makes height irrelevant. He laid some big hits in his 63 games for Coachella Valley last season. He also enters the final season of his entry-level contract. To pair with this physicality, he is skilled with the puck, moving it up the ice with aplomb. He has some big upside as a special teamer in the power play. The biggest question will be whether or not he can overcome his size limitations facing off against NHL players game after game when he reaches the next level. Sooner or later, he will suit up on the blue line in Seattle, perhaps later this season if he has a strong start this fall.
No. 4: Julius Miettinen, C
Age: 20
Draft: 40th overall in 2024
Miettinen is part of the talented young crop of centers the Kraken have stockpiled in recent drafts. The Finnish skater played the last three seasons for Everett in the WHL. Local Seattle-area hockey fans are very familiar with him, as he won WHL Playoff MVP honors. He signed a three-year entry-level and is expected to begin his professional career with the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds this coming season. Scouts praise his defensive habits, faceoff work, and willingness to play the entire rink. Evaluators generally project a second or third-line NHL center who can play both special teams.
No. 3: Jagger Firkus, RW
Age: 22
Draft: 35th overall in 2022
The Canadian is a technician with the skates, frequently putting himself in optimal positions to score around the net. Something of a late bloomer, Firkus starred for the Moose Jaw Warriors. He spent the last two years with Coachella Valley, increasing his goal and assist totals each season. He is creative, skilled with or without the puck, and understands spacing. At under 6-0, size is one of the only questions for him. His skillset is that of a future top-six winger.
No. 2: Jake O’Brien, C
Age: 19
Draft: 8th overall in 2025
There is a clear separation between the bottom three of the top five here and the top two. O’Brien is a different beast. First, he has good genes. O’Brien comes from a hockey family as his mother, Amy Turek, played for Canada’s national women’s team and in the NWHL. The quality that gets the most compliments is his high hockey IQ. He has the vision, smarts, size, and skills to be a top-six center. He dominated the OHL as a 19-year-old captain last year. If he does not make the NHL team out of camp (which would be a huge development), the expected destination is Coachella Valley. A new CBA provision allows each NHL club to assign one 19-year-old CHL player to the AHL, so he does not have to return to the OHL. He already got a four-game AHL playoff taste with Coachella Valley last spring. He would be one of the most exciting players Coachella Valley has ever suited up and on the fast track to the league.
No. 1: Chase Reid, D
Age: 18
Draft: 7th overall in 2026
You were expecting someone else? The Kraken arguably got the steal of the entire 2026 NHL Draft when Reid fell right into their laps at the seventh pick. Seattle couldn’t get to the podium fast enough to select Reid, who was largely considered the top defenseman in this year’s class. Reid is a mobile, high-skill two-way defenseman with a heavy shot, strong vision, and the ability to create in transition and from the offensive blue line. It might be unfair to label him as the “future North Star” of the Kraken franchise, but it comes with the territory. Kraken fans will be very interested in Michigan State hockey this season as he suits up for the Spartans. He is the most exciting part of the Kraken’s future, bar none.
