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Davy Jones Locker Room
16 minutes
Draft Profiles 2k26: Alberts Šmits is Latvia’s ferocious hope
The Draft Profiles are back! And we start with a defender! Defenseman Alberts Šmits has one of the more unique paths as a defenseman in this draft; being a Latvian playing in Finland as one of the younger players in the top finnish league, and having a serious chance of being the highest drafted player from his home country. And he’s done it in a simple, easy to understand way; bowling over the competition. Who is he? Alberts Šmits is a Valmiera, Latvian-born, 6’3, 209-pound defenseman who shoots Left. He plays for Jukurit in the Finnish Liiga; the highest level of Finnish hockey. At the conclusion of their season, Jukurit loaned Šmits to EHC Red Bull München in the highest level of German hockey; the DEL. He also had a pretty active career this year with the Latvian National Team; playing at the World Juniors, the World Championships, and the Olympics. What’s he good at? AGGRESSION. European players have largely broken this through the last two decades, but there is a low level stigma around the European game of not being especially physical. This is largely because you need to actually commit to being physical overseas; their commitment to larger, Olympic sized rinks means if you whiff on a hit, you’re going to be extremely out of a play and looking ridiculous. As such, players develop more of an understanding of the defensive game from a less physical side of things. It appears nobody really told Šmits any of that, because he loooooooves gettin’ involved physically. Šmits combines a lot of the best aspects of your modern defenseman; good skating, solid instincts on how to clog up a lane and when, and strong stickwork, and marries it to a ferocious work ethic that makes him a nightmare to forecheck against. Alberts Šmits will move heaven and earth to get after you. His aggression regularly forces forecheckers to get rid of the puck in a hurry with the fear of a large Latvian sitting on top of them whacking away at the puck or at them, and his strong stickwork allows for a major advantage in winning board battles (the NHL-sized frame helps there a lot), then can allow him to either get a clean breakout through a pass, or he’ll get himself involved in the play as a first line of attack; using solid skating to get as close to a zone entry and then dump it, or even just go and see if he can create some offense. And yet, when in high danger situations, it always appears as though Šmits is right in his element. He closes shooting lanes with ease both on the cycle and in transition, he will casually maneuver players at speed away from the middle of the ice, and towards his Indeed, when he’s on his game, Šmits is a shift-warping defender who can be a major force of danger for his team. What’s he not so good at? Harnessing said aggression responsibly. It’s only natural that a player this aggressive will sometimes put himself in hot water, especially in a more stringent european league. This sometimes means whiffed hits, undisciplined play, or taking himself out of the play in order to tie up one player or go impose himself on the other team. It’s especially prominent in net-front defense, where he can be caught focusing down on one player and ignoring others; pulling himself out of position. Further, Šmits aggression didn’t come from nowhere; Jukurit would’ve been on the relegation chopping block had Liiga still operated as of the Finnish ice hockey relegation/promotion pyramid. Further, his national team is Latvia; an eternal underdog that is continually hard up for offense. His minute munching tendencies for both of these squads meant he wasn’t just being asked to do a lot defensively, he was often asked to be the instigating force for the offense. This has created a very shoot-first mentality in the young man that is prone to taking any old shot to see if it can get to the dangerous area of the ice, no matter if there’s a shooting lane or not. This can also end up creating bad bounces that have him on the back foot or making passes to seemingly nowhere in the desperate hope of creating something, anything, for his team. More than anything, honing Šmits’ aggression so that it compliments his skillset rather than giving it the chance to undermine his abilities will be critical to his development; allowing him the space to not feel like he needs to be the hero all the time. Prospect Rankings Ranked 2nd by NHL Central Scouting among European Skaters. Ranked 11th by EliteProspects.com Ranked 8th by TSN’s Craig Button Ranked 7th by DailyFaceoff.com Ranked 7th by Smaht Scouting Ranked 11th by DobberProspects Should the Kraken take him? If Šmits ends up in Seattle, it’s hard not to think of a scenario in which he doesn’t become a fan favorite as Šmits has a game that your average NHL fan can just wrap themselves in like a big, angry hug. It helps that other than Chase Reid, the rest of the defensive prospects in this draft will probably need at least a couple of years to find themselves in the pro level whereas Smits will almost certainly have a major leg up from having played in pro leagues already. I’m not saying he’ll play immediately, but if he gets to wear Deep Blue? It will be difficult taking him out of it if he brings that game to the NHL.
Davy Jones Locker Room
about 15 hours
F Bobby McMann re-signs in Seattle for 6 year deal!
TIME TO GET MCMANNLY The Kraken announced today they have re-signed Bobby McMann for 6 years for $5.75 million a year. BOBBY'S STAYING IN SEATTLE! 🙌The #SeaKraken have agreed to terms with forward Bobby McMann for a 6-year deal. pic.twitter.com/9nQzDRSqif— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) June 21, 2026 McMann came over in a trade from the Maple Leafs, where he immediately made a name for himself due to the sheer amount of goals he scored…while also infuriatingly being on a team that could not actively make any gains after he scored. That said, he’s been nothing but a phenomenal player for the Kraken; finishing with 14 points in 18 games. Extremely solid dude. McMann’s contract will bring him to his 36th year in the NHL, and while that definitely is…something, I think having a player like McMann is a net positive for the Kraken. They desperately need players who are willing to go to the net, and Bobby McMann, above all else, is willing to do that. If nothing else, he can be an example for others in his later years. For now? Let’s get him back at nearly a point per game pace and have some fun. Welcome Bobby back to The Deep!
Davy Jones Locker Room
about 19 hours
Kraken trade 25th overall pick, conditional 2nd rounder for F Mackie Samoskevich
Let’s set the scene with an appropriate song. The Seattle Kraken announced today that they have traded their 25th overall pick this year and a conditional 2nd round for 2027 (which is either going to be Winnipeg or Columbus’ picks) for Florida’s Mackie Samoskevich. COAST 🔀 COASTWe've acquired forward Mackie Samoskevich from the @FlaPanthers in exchange for the 25th overall pick in the 2026 #NHLDraft and a conditional second-round pick in 2027 → http://bit.ly/SEAMackie— Seattle Kraken (Bot) (@notseattlekraken.bsky.social) 2026-06-21T17:39:51.221Z Samoskevich is a Connecticut-born forward who primarily plays Right Wing and Center. He is 5’11, and 180-pounds who came from the University of Michigan; playing with Matty Beniers in their National Title season. In the NHL, he has primarily played as a depth piece for the Florida Panthers through their cup runs in 2023-24 and 2024-25. Samoskevich is primarily described as a solid, analytically strong player with great skating speed who unfortunately has yet to truly break out in the NHL, with decent but low point totals. Of course, part of that was the Panthers top 6 was an absolute killer’s row, and when he was given additional ice time, he showed some flashes of potential; potential he only got to show when the Panthers were almost half Springfield Thunderbirds at one point. Mackie Samoskevich with 12 goals, 20 assists, and 32 points in 77 games during the 2025 seasonpic.twitter.com/I3UtZUSynI— RotoWire Sports Betting (@RotoWireSports) June 21, 2026 The trade for Samoskevich seems to indicate that the Kraken are trying to get a little younger, as even if he’s struggled to truly find his goalscoring form, he’s both an RFA and a 23 year old at that; potentially leaving one of Tolvanen, McMann, or Schwartz as the odd man out. It is also an acquisition for yet another middle 6 forward, so high-end skill is still a major need coming into the NHL Draft, and as NHL Draft theory goes; the higher the draft pick, the better chance of an NHLer coming out of the deal. If they kept this pick, EliteProspects.com suggests that the players potentially available at this position were Mathis Preston; a center who fell considerably throughout the year as his pedestrian season masked his otherwise strong skating ability, Juho Piiparinen; a Finnish defender who split time between Tappara and it’s U20 team, and Yegor Shilov; a Russian-born center from the QMJHL. It’s a bet, and given the price a potentially steep one if they’re losing out on Winnipeg or Columbus’ 2nd. But if Samoskevich keeps his form, there’s a good chance he could turn into a strong contributor for the team and remains so under a cost controlled contract; something that the Kraken could always use. Personally, I think this is a bet the Kraken should be taking if they can swing it. Get a high-skill forward at the draft, get an NHL-ready player just before, keep working the phones to get some more talent. As for how he meshes with the team? We’ll find out. Let’s all welcome Mackie to The Deep!
The Stranger
3 days
A Queer Summer Reading List
This story was originally published in The Stranger’s 2026 Queer Issue. In honor of Pride month—and in honor of highly complex queer dynamics that are at least one thing we can count on, from our relationships with each other to our relationships with this country—I’m bringing you a queer summer reading list which I hope […] The post A Queer Summer Reading List appeared first on The Stranger.
The Stranger
3 days
The Best Bang for Your Buck Events in Seattle This Weekend: June 19–21, 2026
Happy summer solstice and Juneteenth, Seattle! We hope you make it out to a celebration or two between other weekend events from the Fremont Fair and Solstice Parade to the Belltown Mural Festival Block Party and from Karaoke in the Park: A Capitol Hill Mutual Aid Fundraiser to the West Seattle Tour de Pints. For […] The post The Best Bang for Your Buck Events in Seattle This Weekend: June 19–21, 2026 appeared first on The Stranger.
The Stranger
4 days
World Cup Strikers
To everyone visiting Seattle for Friday’s World Cup match between the United States and Australia: welcome, can we interest you in some labor unrest? On Thursday, employees at a pair of unrelated, big-name hospitality businesses went on strike. Workers at the Hilton Embassy Suites, a hotel at Pioneer Square, began their strike at 6:30 a.m. […] The post World Cup Strikers appeared first on The Stranger.
The Stranger
4 days
Smoke Show
Dear Ballard neighbors, Please retire your meat smokers. As the Pacific Northwest gets smacked in the face by global warming, it’s relentlessly cruel and unusual to steal the joy of fresh air from your neighbors. The sick, saccharine smell of your hobby not only ruins the fun of flinging open a window with reckless abandon, […] The post Smoke Show appeared first on The Stranger.
The Stranger
4 days
Ticket Alert: Judah & the Lion, Letterkenny Live, and More Seattle Events Going On Sale This Week
Ready for your weekly ticket download? Synthy folk-pop duo Judah & the Lion has announced a new record and upcoming tour, stopping in Seattle for the first time in four years. Letterkenny Live brings the characters you know and love from the Canadian sitcom to the stage for a night of hilarious antics. Plus, queer […] The post Ticket Alert: Judah & the Lion, Letterkenny Live, and More Seattle Events Going On Sale This Week appeared first on The Stranger.
The Stranger
4 days
The ‘Neurotic Little Freak’ Behind the Curtain
This story originally appeared in The Stranger’s 2026 Queer Issue. Photos by Billie Winter Above a winding maze of clothing racks, dozens of styrofoam heads stare down at me. Sitting on three long rows of shelves, each head supports a carefully coiffed wig, tall, teased, and organized by color. Long pins stick out of some […] The post The ‘Neurotic Little Freak’ Behind the Curtain appeared first on The Stranger.
The Stranger
4 days
Pop Loser: That Do Impress Me Much
Welcome back to Pop Loser! This week, Angine de Poitrine shared a photo with Shania Twain, Noah Kahan got Kidz Bopped, and the world lost beloved musician and comedian Oliver Tree. I will share my favorite song from Olivia Rodrigo’s new album. And, this is your annual reminder to listen to the 2000 album Saints […] The post Pop Loser: That Do Impress Me Much appeared first on The Stranger.
The Stranger
4 days
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries mathematician Paul Erdős lived without a permanent address, traveling the world to collaborate with other mathematicians. He owned little, claiming “property is a nuisance.” His life was structured around doing mathematics and helping others do mathematics. He published over 1,500 papers, more than any mathematician in history. Was his minimalism […] The post Free Will Astrology appeared first on The Stranger.
The Stranger
4 days
Slog AM: Vance Embarrasses Himself in Front of the Press, No One Flew to Seattle for the World Cup, Hotel Workers Go on Strike
Good Morning! We’ve got another perfect June day. Highs in the 70s, clear skies, all that jazz. If you’re lucky and your job gives you Juneteenth off, this evening is for drinking on patios, paddling on the water, and forgetting how late it is because the sun goes down at 9:10 today. But first, the […] The post Slog AM: Vance Embarrasses Himself in Front of the Press, No One Flew to Seattle for the World Cup, Hotel Workers Go on Strike appeared first on The Stranger.
