A matter of routine happened rather quickly for the Seattle Kraken and their 2025 1st-round NHL Draft choice. 8th-overall pick Jake O’Brien signed his entry-level deal on Thursday.
His salary, should he play at the NHL level, is $975,000 per season for three years.
“We’re excited to get Jake signed to his first professional contract,” Kraken GM Jason Botterill stated. “Jake has elite vision and hockey IQ, tremendous work ethic and a strong two-way game. He understands this is just the beginning. We’re looking forward to his continued development.”
His first development camp wrapped up Thursday with a 3-on-3 scrimmage in front of a throng of Kraken faithful.
“It was cool, it was a good game out there, happy we came away with the win, a real high pace out there, so it was a good game,” O’Brien said after.
Over two seasons with the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League, he improved from 13 goals to 38, and 64 points to 98. In 2023′-24 he was voted the OHL rookie-of-the-year after leading the league in points among first-year players. Last season he had 26 multi-point games including a five-pointer on March 8th against Saginaw (Michigan).
O’Brien, who turned 18 just two weeks before the NHL Draft, stands 6-foot-2 and hopes to start filling out his frame.
“I’m just getting bigger and getting faster, it’s a lot faster out there,” he said Thursday. “Hopefully I can make the next step.”
It will be entertaining to see the progression for both O’Brien and his fellow 8th-overall pick Berkly Catton, selected by the Kraken in that slot in 2024. At this point, the former Spokane Chiefs captain is considered at best, a 2nd-line center in the NHL.
As for which of them has the higher upside …
“Good question, they’re very different players but similar at the same time,” Kraken Director of Amateur Scouting Robert Kron answered last Friday. “Extremely, extremely intelligent play-making centers. Jake is 6-2, Berkly an extremely slippery, skill guy. Having those two guys in the system gives you so much talent that you can work with.”
“You can’t expect Robert to choose between his prize possessions here, it’s tough, very difficult,” Botterill added with a laugh.
While not having a true number-one center, it appears Seattle will attack the middle with depth and versatility, with a handful of 2nd and 3rd line pivots who can move around the line-up.
Kron reminded us that it’s a lot easier for centers to move to wing, as opposed to wingers moving to center. O’Brien fits that bill and adds to the options.
Earlier Kraken:
— Seattle Signs D-Man Ryan Lindgren
