The Seattle Kraken made waves at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, held in Los Angeles, by selecting Blake Fiddler with the 36th overall pick. Fiddler, a defenseman from the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL), was highly touted leading up to the draft.
To acquire Fiddler, the Kraken traded their 38th and 57th overall picks to the Philadelphia Flyers, moving up two spots in the second round. In addition to Fiddler, the Kraken also drafted Jake O'Brien of the Brantford Bulldogs with the 8th overall pick.
Blake Fiddler, born in Nashville, Tennessee, is the son of Vernon Fiddler, a former NHL centerman who played 14 seasons with teams like the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars. Blake, who will turn 18 next month, already possesses a pro-ready frame, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 209 pounds. He shoots right, making him an even more valuable commodity in the eyes of NHL teams.
During the 2024-2025 season with the Edmonton Oil Kings, Fiddler showcased his offensive capabilities, scoring 10 goals and adding 23 assists in 64 games. He led Edmonton defensemen in goals and total points. His performance marked a significant improvement from the previous season, where he recorded 15 points and a -31 plus/minus rating. He also helped the Oil Kings reach the WHL playoffs.
Fiddler also captained Team USA at the Under-18 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup tournament, contributing one goal and three assists in five games. He also had three points (two goals, one assist) with a plus-8 rating in seven games for the United States at the 2025 U-18 Worlds.
Scouting reports describe Fiddler as a mobile, two-way defenseman with a high hockey IQ. He defends the rush effectively with good gaps and a strong stick. While not the quickest skater, he moves well for his size and uses his body effectively to win pucks. Fiddler excels in a shutdown role, leveraging his size, skating ability, and defensive instincts, especially on penalty kills. Some scouts project him as a future top-four defenseman with the potential to contribute offensively.
According to Oil Kings General Manager Kirt Hill, Fiddler "skates extremely well for his size". Hill also noted his ability to "see the ice well" and play in all situations, contributing offensively and being difficult to play against in the defensive zone. TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button emphasizes Fiddler's defensive strengths, stating that "80% of his strength is in making it really hard for opponents to score". Button added, "He plays a game that helps you win. He plays a game that is necessary to have when you're trying to win".
Fiddler himself believes his defensive game improved significantly, along with his offensive capabilities. He focused on "being more efficient out there, learning when to go, not to go, and kind of just learning how to play a bigger role". He feels comfortable utilizing his mobility and size to defend and contribute to the offense, joining or leading the rush when appropriate.
Several scouting reports highlight Fiddler's strengths, noting his mobility, puck-moving abilities, and defensive awareness. He can skate and make clean passes on breakouts, showing nice hands in transition and facilitating plays in the offensive zone. His defensive game revolves around excellent reads and cutting off plays with smart angles. While some scouts believe there's untapped offensive potential, his defensive impact and ability to create advantages are already evident.
