The Kraken have the No. 8 pick in the first round of the NHL draft, which begins Friday, for the second consecutive year. Here is who they could take at eight.

They have almost $18 million to work with ahead of NHL free agency opening Tuesday after trading forward Frederick Gaudreau to Seattle on Thursday for a fourth-round pick they can use Saturday at the draft.

Well-liked in the locker room and among the Minnesota fan base, Gaudreau spent four years with the Wild having previously played three years for Nashville and one for Pittsburgh. In 2023 he signed a five-year contract extension worth $2.1 million per season and has three years remaining on that deal.