With the 2025 NHL Draft only a week away, the Seattle Kraken currently hold the 8th overall pick. Let's take a look at how the past ten players who were picked 8th overall are doing.
- 2024 - Berkly Catton (Seattle Kraken) - The Kraken are familiar with the 8th overall pick after selecting Catton last year from the WHL's Spokane Chiefs. This past season, he captained the Chiefs to the WHL Finals before falling to the Medicine Hat Tigers. He lead the Chiefs with 109 points in the regular season and 42 points in the playoffs. Look for Berkly to shine at this year's Kraken Development Camp as he continues to progress towards an NHL roster spot.
- 2023 - Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals) - Leonard spent the last two seasons at Boston College as a standout center with an appearance in the Frozen Four in 2024. He joined the Capitals roster for the last part of the regular season including the playoffs scoring 1 goal and 1 assist in 17 total games. Ryan will look to suit up on opening night for his first full season in a Capital's sweater.
- 2022 - Marco Kasper (Detroit Red Wings) - In his first full season with the Red Wings, Kasper put up a respectable 37 points in 77 games. If he can grow those numbers even more, Kasper could be a household name in Detroit for a while.
- 2021 - Brandt Clarke (Los Angeles Kings) - After splitting two seasons with the Kings and their AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, Clarke solidified himself onto the Kings roster for the 2024-25 campaign playing 78 games as a blueliner. He led the Kings' blue line in points with 5 goals and 28 assists.
- 2020 - Jack Quinn (Buffalo Sabres) - Jack Quinn just completed his entry level contract with the Sabres and is currently a restricted free agent. In his time with the Sabres, he played 178 games, and put up 97 points. Time will tell where Quinn ends up next season.
- 2019 - Philip Broberg (Edmonton Oilers) - Broberg struggled to find consistent playing time with the Oilers in his 3 years with Edmonton, however, he found a new home after signing with the St. Louis Blues in the 2024 offseason. In his first season as a Blue, he set a career high in games played (68), goals (8), and assists (21). He has one more year left on his contract for the upcoming season.
- 2018 - Adam Boqvist (Chicago Blackhawks) - Boqvist has been a bit of a journeyman since being drafted by Chicago, where he has had stints with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers, and New York Islanders. He recently signed a one-year deal with the Islanders for $850,000.
- 2017 - Casey Mittelstadt (Buffalo Sabres) After spending 7 seasons with the Sabres and scoring 236 points in 438 games, he was traded to the Avalanche. He played in Colorado for a little over a season before being traded again to the Bruins playing in 18 games to close out the 2024-25 year. After some regression, he will look to start fresh in Boston this upcoming season.
- 2016 - Alex Nylander (Buffalo Sabres) - Alex Nylander has struggled to maintain a presence in the NHL after his most notable season in 2020 where he played 65 games for the Blackhawks. He is currently a free agent after his contract expired with the Maple Leafs after the 2024-25 season, spending most of the year with their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.
- 2015 - Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets) - Werenski has had a very nice 9 year career in the NHL so far, all with the Blue Jackets. The defenseman also had his best season statistically in 2024-25 setting career highs with 23 goals and 59 assists which was good for second in the NHL amongst defensemen in 2024-25.
Let us know in the comments who you think the Kraken should target with the 8th overall pick in this year's draft.
Sale Draft photo by - Christopher Hanewinc via Imagn
Kraken Draft photo by - Stephen R. Sylvanie via Imagn
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