In this mock draft, I will be focusing on the Seattle Kraken, and how they could transform their prospect pool in the 2026 NHL draft. Seattle has a total of 8 picks in the 2026 draft, including 2 1sts, 2 4ths, and 2 7th round picks.
Related: Vancouver Canucks
7- Viggo Bjorck (C/RW) Djurgarden (SWE-J20)
Viggo Björck fits the Seattle Kraken perfectly because his high hockey IQ, versatile two-way play, and elite playmaking fill an organizational need for a dynamic center who can both distribute the puck and score. His mature style of play and proven competitiveness allow him to compensate for his smaller 5-foot-9 frame. The Kraken prospect pool is noted to have many playmaking forwards who lack an elite shot. Björck is a true dual-threat with a deceptive release and strong playmaking abilities, giving Seattle a highly skilled facilitator up the middle. Despite being a younger player, Björck held his own playing heavy minutes against older, more physically developed competition in the Swedish Elite League (SHL) and international stages like the World Juniors. He isn’t just an offensive specialist; Björck boasts polished defensive-zone awareness, an active stick, and the capacity to kill penalties. This aligns closely with the hard-working, responsible identity the Kraken value. Projected frequently as an early-to-mid first-round pick, his slight size is the only reason he might slide to the Kraken’s selection range. He represents high value and potential “steal” quality for a team needing high-end talent. Viggo Bjorck would give the Seattle Kraken an elite two-way center, with high end skill, something that is highly coveted, the only question mark with him is his size, but his play style isn’t soft at all.
25- Tomas Chrenko (C) HK Nitra (Slovakia)
Tomas Chrenko fits the Seattle Kraken because his relentless 200-foot work ethic, high-pacing transitional game, and sneaky offensive dual-threat abilities perfectly match Seattle’s structural identity while injecting needed center depth and right-handed utility into their prospect pipeline. The Kraken build their identity on high-pressure forechecking and defensive accountability. Chrenko boasts a non-stop motor, works heavily on the backcheck, and simplifies his game against professionals by prioritizing positioning. He acts as a primary catalyst for his line. He constantly supports his defensemen, dictates pace through the neutral zone, and uses quick edges to handle clean zone exits and entries. Seattle needs players who can score from high-danger areas. Chrenko uses soft hands to look off defenders before passing, but he also features a deceptive, lightning-fast wrist shot with a minimal release motion that catches goaltenders off guard. High-end, right-handed centers who can win faceoffs and operate effectively from the left circle on the power play are a premium commodity in the NHL, making him a major asset for Seattle’s special teams planning. Chrenko has excelled playing heavy minutes against grown men for HK Nitra, even scoring a championship-winning goal in the Slovak Extraliga. He has also proved his mettle as an international standout at the World Juniors. Standing at 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, Chrenko’s main developmental hurdle is filling out his frame to handle physical North American ice. Because of his slight size, he is projected by outlets to fall anywhere from the late first round to the early second round of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. If the Kraken utilize their draft capital to secure him in this range, they gain a high-floor, middle-six utility forward with second-line upside.
38- Maksim Sokolovsky (D)- London Knights (OHL)
Maksim Sokolovskii (Sokolovsky) fits the Seattle Kraken because his gargantuan 6-foot-8 frame, bone-crushing physical edge, and surprisingly fluid rush defense inject an elite element of modern shutdown size into the Kraken’s future blue line. As a rapidly ascending left-shot defenseman for the OHL’s London Knights, he possesses the precise heavy, hard-to-play-against identity needed to insulate Seattle’s skilled forward corps. The Kraken’s defensive structure thrives on stepping up at the blue line and killing plays early. Sokolovskii possesses elite rush-defense metrics, using his immense reach and active stick to close out gaps, deny clean zone entries, and blanket oncoming forwards.
Seattle’s Pacific Division rivals feature heavy, physically imposing rosters. At 238 pounds, Sokolovskii is a legitimate “beast” who is a constant threat for the hit-of-the-year. He punishes opponents along the boards, clears the net-front with authority, and protects his teammates—bringing a necessary “nasty” edge to the Kraken. Unlike traditional plodding giants, he displays remarkably fluid mechanics and agility for a player his size. He reads oncoming forechecking pressure well, using subtle edge work to skate out of danger and execute safe, clean outlet passes. With his massive frame and spatial awareness, he projects as a high-end penalty killer at the NHL level. He excels at blocking shooting lanes, pinning opponents in the corners, and burning valuable clock time in deep defensive territory. The London Knights are famous for churning out NHL-ready, structurally sound defensemen. Coming out of Dale and Mark Hunter’s program, Sokolovskii understands how to play a mature, disciplined system. Sokolovskii has been one of the biggest risers on draft boards for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. Originally considered a raw, late-round project, his breakout play in the OHL has rocketed his draft stock into the late first to mid-second round range (ranked #29 by Elite Prospects and #40 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting). If the Kraken target him with one of their early picks, they secure a high-ceiling, modern shutdown defenseman who can realistically anchor their second-pairing shutdown unit for years to come.
99-Danye Beuker (C)-US U18 (USNTDP )
Dayne Beuker fits the Seattle Kraken because his high-end puck skills, rapid dual-threat transition mechanics, and elite hockey sense address a long-term organization preference for smart, agile centers who can function as creative playmaking engines. His tactical versatility and dedication to evolving into a well-rounded 200-foot forward match the baseline requirements of Seattle’s development staff. The Kraken’s offensive structure relies on attacking in waves and maintaining possession across lines. Scouting logs from Elite Prospects praise Beuker’s ability to drive cleanly through the neutral zone, utilizing “dynamic rushes” to cleanly carry the puck past layers of defense and spark offensive depth. Beuker is a natural offensive catalyst who processes options faster than most peers. He is highly adept at using head fakes and subtle blade adjustments to move defensive structures out of position before slipping a tape-to-tape pass to teammates. Playing for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (USNTDP) ensures Beuker is daily subjected to professional habits, system assignments, and defensive expectations. Seattle’s front office strongly targets players from top-tier development tracks who understand structured, tactical team play. Committed to the reigning collegiate powerhouse University of Denver, Beuker is locked into a highly respected development pipeline. This environment provides a long developmental runway that aligns cleanly with the Kraken’s strategy of letting skill prospects fill out physically before joining professional rosters. Standing at 5-foot-10 and 168 pounds, Beuker’s primary hurdle is building up lower-body power and physical strength to withstand heavier physical checks. Because of his slight frame, his draft profile sits comfortably in the mid-rounds, coming in at #76 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, which projects him as an early third-round selection. If targeted by Seattle with a mid-round pick, Beuker provides high-value middle-six offensive upside with the tools to eventually steer a creative second or third-line scoring unit.
102 Jakub Floris (D)- Lukko U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
Jakub Floris fits the Seattle Kraken because his impressive 6-foot-3 frame, smooth-skating transitional skills, and proactive right-shot defensive utility provide a rare combination of modern mobility and size that Seattle heavily covets for their future blue line. Developing out of Finland’s highly competitive Lukko program, he offers the exact brand of high-IQ, all-situation two-way play that matches the Kraken’s organizational philosophy. The Kraken’s defensive system operates best when blueliners aggressively close out space and deny clean zone entries. Floris’ ability to aggressively manage distances, step up tightly on oncoming forwards, and use an excellent defensive stick to rub out opposing puck carriers along the boards. Seattle prioritizes defensemen who don’t just clear the zone, but actively carry and promote the play. Floris possesses a smooth skating base and high-end puck-protection mechanics, allowing him to absorb hits out wide, evade layers of forechecking pressure, and skate the puck safely out of danger. High-caliber, right-handed defensemen who stand over 6-foot-2 are a prized commodity across the NHL. Floris balances Seattle’s left-heavy prospect pipeline, bringing valuable right-circle utility to special teams and immediate depth down the right side of the ice. Throughout his international play as Slovakia’s clear No. 1 defenseman, Floris has proven he can comfortably log top-pairing, high-leverage minutes. He works tirelessly without the puck, tracks play-stopping sequences efficiently, and functions as a highly adaptable weapon for both penalty killing and secondary power-play units. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 192 pounds, Floris possesses an ideal NHL frame but still needs to add lower-body explosiveness and dynamic physical hardness to fully round out his game. If targeted by Seattle, he projects as a reliable, two-way top-four defenseman capable of stabilizing transitions and killing penalties.
166-Theodor Knights (D)- Modo (SWE-J20)
198-Juuso Ainasto (G)- Jokerit U20 (SM-sarja)
204-Layne Gallacher (C)- Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
Draft Summary
7-Viggo Bjorck
25- Tomas Chrenko
38 Maksim Sokolovsky
99- Danye Beuker
102 Jakub Floris
166-Theodor Knights
198-Juuso Ainasto
204-Layne Gallacher
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