Nashville Predators: An Overview of the 2017 Entry Draft

Seventh round, 216th overall

In the 7th and final round of the NHL Entry Draft, the Nashville Predators chose Canadien defenseman, Jacob Paquette. Paquette spent the last two seasons in the OHL with the Frontenacs. Here, he amassed only 23 points in 115 games. Paquette saw his draft stock drop after this season, where he suffered from injury. This past season he posted a lower total in goals, assists, and shots than the year before. Similarly, Paquette’s plus/minus went from +24 two years ago, to a -18 this past year. Paquette also saw and increase in penalty minutes. Although the numbers don’t bode well for Paquette, he still brings his fair share of skills to the table.

Paquette stands tall at 6 foot 3, 205 pounds. His size brings good physicality, and a surprising amount of mobility. He controls the puck very well for a defenseman, and is great at moving it up the ice. His shot isn’t very dangerous, although he makes up for it by distributing the puck well in the offensive zone. He is physical in front of the net, and is a reliable defender who can match the elusiveness of the man he is guarding. Paquette’s numbers and draft stock fell this past season, but injury and a weaker team surely didn’t help his production. In due time, Paquette could be a solid NHL defenseman that would continue Nashville’s tradition of excellent defenders.