> ## 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. # Analysis: Which Kraken Prospects Will Earn a Spot in 2027 World Junior Championships? - URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/seattle-kraken-world-junior-championship-projection-chase-reid-jake-obrien/ - Published: 2026-08-07T23:55:50.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T06:10:44.000Z - Author: Josh Frojelin - Tags: Analysis, World Junior Championship, Chase Reid, Jake O'Brien, Ola Palme, NHL, Kraken Five Seattle Kraken prospects participated at last week’s World Junior Summer Showcase, but how many prospects will make their country’s 2027 World Junior Championships roster this December? The WJC features 10 nations and their best under-20 players. The 2027 WJC begins on Dec. 26 of this year. Last week’s WJSS gave USA, Canada, Sweden, and Finland an opportunity to face one another and assess their projected rosters. At the Windsor, Ontario showcase; recent seventh-overall pick Chase Reid returned as the top Team USA defenseman while 2025 seventh-rounder Loke Krantz had an elevated role as one of few returning players for Team Sweden. [Jake O’Brien](https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/seattle-kraken-jake-obrien-rookie-ahl-season-nhl-future/) was not at the tournament, but should make Team Canada. Other Kraken prospects such as USA’s Blake Fiddler and Casey Mutryn and Sweden’s Ola Palme were invited to the showcase, but aren’t expected to make their country’s WJC roster this December. **Chase Reid** “I spoke with a couple of scouts when I was in Windsor, and a couple of them said the same thing, which is: ‘I don’t see three better \[defensemen\] from the 2026 class at this tournament,’” The Athletic’s prospect guru Scott Wheeler [said after the showcase](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnILNd0YBgE&ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com). [Chase Reid](https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/seattle-kraken-breaking-down-2026-nhl-draft-class/) was ranked by many as the top defenseman for the 2026 NHL Draft. He dropped to seventh-overall, going behind defensemen Daxon Rudolph, Carson Carels, and Alberts Smits. Rudolph and Carels represented Team Canada at the tournament. As a draft-eligible at last year’s World Junior Championship, Reid grew into the No. 1 role. Reid had two goals and four points in five games before Team USA was surprisingly bounced in the quarterfinals. With higher team expectations, would Reid’s role change? “Chase is going to be a 25-to-28-minute a night defenseman at this tournament,” Wheeler said. **Blake Fiddler** Fiddler, a 2025 second-rounder, is a defensively-focused blueliner with good skating and some offensive skills. At the showcase, Fiddler was in-and-out of the lineup and didn’t stand out as one of the more experienced players at this level. “I didn’t love Fiddler,” Wheeler said on his podcast. On the right side, Team USA already has offensive stars in Reid and recent first-rounder Tommy Bleyl. For more defense-oriented, penalty killing options, it seemed like USA preferred prospects Sean Barnhill and Jacob Rombach. They gave those prospects more looks at the showcase. As a 6-5, 19-year-old defenseman, Fiddler could provide size and experience in December. But it would be in a limited role, if he does make the roster. **Casey Mutryn** Mutryn is probably more focused on his upcoming season at Boston College and making the 2028 Team USA roster. Mutryn was a younger player at the tournament and provides a high-energy game that many older Team USA forwards also play. When Mutryn did play at the tournament, it was in a bottom-six role alongside other longshots for the Team USA roster. The American team lacks an elite scoring forward at this tournament, but has plenty of two-way, energetic wingers. In fact, Casey’s older brother Teddy is battling for a similar role on the roster. If Casey Mutryn starts out hot as a freshman at BC, then maybe he could earn spot on the Team USA roster. But, Mutryn is more likely to make the roster next year after a year of NCAA experience. **Loke Krantz** Krantz made Team Sweden last year in a depth role. While he should keep that role this year, Krantz did get some looks alongside friend and [fellow cancer survivor](https://www.nhl.com/news/loke-krantz-theo-stockselius-seek-to-make-world-junior-championship-after-cancer-fights?ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) Theo Stockselius last week in Windsor. Sweden was missing a couple of their key forwards, including recent eighth-overall pick Viggo Bjorck. Krantz signed a [two-year extension](https://www.eliteprospects.com/transfer/2026/04/17/loke-krantz-in-a-contract-extension-to-linkoping-hc/626728?ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) with his Swedish club, Linkopping HC, in April. That should mean, next season, Krantz gets more SHL ice time. Krantz split time between his club’s senior and junior team last year. The 6-2 winger has solid all-around play and a good shot. He should have a depth role with opportunity to earn more ice time in December. **Ola Palme** Recent sixth-rounder Palme is a bubble player for Team Sweden. Sweden has some older options for their upcoming roster, as Palme is still just 18-years-old. Palme is a two-way blueliner with good skating and capable puck-moving: the type of defenseman Sweden has been known to grow. Palme earned five games in the SHL last season. If he continues to earn more SHL ice time, then he could get a look for Team Sweden in December. It is encouraging for this year and next year that Palme was invited to this showcase and got a long look. **Jake O’Brien** Out with knee tendonitis, O’Brien didn’t play at this tournament. But given his OHL dominance and expectation of playing in the AHL next season, O’Brien should make Team Canada. Among Canada’s top forwards, Caleb Desnoyers, Caleb Malhotra, and Brady Martin play a more two-way game. O’Brien’s elite playmaking and overall offensive game will be needed. Canada earned bronze last year, and graduated the majority of their top offensive talent. O’Brien should be a top-six forward for Team Canada, assuming he’s not in the NHL next winter.