2:45 p.m.: Seattle has confirmed the deal, although financial terms were not disclosed.
12:57 p.m.: The Kraken had 2025 No. 8 overall pick Jake O’Brien sign his entry-level contract during today’s development camp scrimmage, Kate Shefte of the Seattle Times reports.
O’Brien, 18, is the latest high-profile name to join a Seattle club that’s now rather deep down the middle organizationally. They’ve had four top-10 picks since their inception in 2021 and have used all of them on centers, previously selecting Matty Beniers, Shane Wright, and Berkly Catton.
Seattle picked the 6’2″ playmaking pivot right around where most expected him to go. For a 2025 draft tabbed as a weaker one, O’Brien carries a strong statistical profile for someone picked that late in the top 10. He was the OHL’s Rookie of the Year in 2023-24 and followed that up with a 32-goal, 98-point season for his Brantford Bulldogs in 66 games.
His point production was likely inflated somewhat – there were two 100-point scorers on the team ahead of him, and there are some concerns about his defensive acumen. Nonetheless, he’ll have an NHL-ready frame in a couple of years’ time once he adds some weight and is one of – if not the best – pure passers in this year’s class, multiple outlets say.
O’Brien may get a long look in training camp, but isn’t necessarily expected to compete for a roster spot. In the likely scenario that he returns to Brantford, his contract will slide to the 2026-27 season.