2021 NHL Mock Draft: Top Targets for Nashville Predators in 1st Round
Oskar Olausson, LW, Sweden/SHL
I’m a firm believer that the Predators need more pure offensive scoring threats in their prospect pool. I like where they stand defensively in terms of their prospects that are coming up, but more scoring wingers is the biggest need in this draft.
Oskar Olausson brings a lot of promising offensive tools to the table. Here’s a portion of his scouting report courtesy of The Hockey Writers
“Olausson’s speed and mobility makes him a real threat at both ends of the ice. He has the ability to enter zones cleanly with control of the puck on his stick and difficult to contain on the cycle. He’s very fluid with his movements and when he’s on the attack, defenders begin to panic as he roars towards them upon entering the zone”
Those are skills that the Predators need more of. Olausson’s size is also an encouraging aspect at 6’1″. I love his skating abilities and his how he can create offensive zone time.
As with most of these prospects, there’s also a lot to fine tune with Olausson, but at pick 18 the Predators would be making a wise selection here to add an offensive player.
A lot of mock drafts have Olausson being picked after the No.18 pick for the Predators, so he’ll almost certainly be available for the taking. We’ll see if the Predators have anyone else they desire more on their draft board.
Cole Sillinger, C, WHL/USHL
This player is getting a ton of attention as perhaps one of the most gifted offensive players in the draft class. Cole Sillinger put up 46 points in 31 games for the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL this past season.
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Dynamic scoring centers are hard to find, and the Predators have always had trouble landing these types of players in the draft. Sillinger would be an outstanding pick for the Predators if he somehow slips down to them.
I have my doubts that Sillinger makes it down to pick No.18, but he’s still a player that needs to be all over the Predators’ radar. Tony Ferrari of Dobber Prospects has a pretty glowing scouting report of Sillinger:
“With one of the best shots in the draft, Sillinger is a threat to score on every shift he steps on the ice. His ability to get his shot off regardless of the puck position is impressive, whether it’s firing it from in his feet or extended out to the side, he’s dangerous”
Sign me up for all of that, please. The Predators can’t get over the hump in recent years because they don’t have many players that play like this. This is the prospect you’re hoping slips down to the Predators the most.
This would be another probable steal for the Predators if they can get Sillinger at pick 18.
Simon Robertsson, RW, SHL
This is a way more realistic option for the Nashville Predators to target than Cole Sillinger. Most mock drafts have Simon Robertsson making to the Predators’ 18th-overall pick.
Robertsson has a decent physical frame at 6’0″ and is ranked as the No.29 prospect according to Elite Prospect’s rankings. He’s a prototypical winger who can fire off really good shots on net and generate pressure in the offensive zone.
The Predators lack offensive firepower, so that’s why you’re seeing this common theme through these first three targets to look at in the first round.
There hasn’t been a whole lot of work for Robertsson since the 2019-20 season for Sweden’s Junior national team and for Skellefteå AIK of the SHL. Unfortunately this is the challenge of this draft class due to the COVID-19 pause of 2020.
I still like this pick for the Predators if Sillinger is off the board, which I expect him to be. A solid Plan B for the Predators as they’d be getting a big scoring threat and a future bottom-six player at the worst.
The Draft Analyst has the Predators taking Robertsson in their latest mock draft, citing:
“Robertsson should be evaluated on his promise far more than his meager league production. He’s big, quick, aggressive and boasts an elite wrist shot”.
Chaz Lucius, C/W, Univ. of Minnesota
Another mid-round projected prospect with a lot of offensive upside is Chaz Lucius. He’s gotten a lot of his experience playing for the USA junior teams and is now preparing for NCAA hockey in 2021-22 for the University of Minnesota.
Lucius has a lot of promising offensive traits including very strong puck handling and the ability to create extended offensive pressure. He plays hard in front of the net and can score in many different ways.
My favorite scouting report quote about Lucius is from Mike G. Morreale of NHL.com:
“Lucius has one of the hardest shots of the 2021 draft class … A mobile and relentless player around the net.”
Lucius put up 50 points in 46 games for the U17 USA National team in 2019-20, and then turned in another 20 points in 13 games for the U18 USA National team this season. He should be rising up draft boards, and he’ll likely be there for the taking if the Predators want him.
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Look, this is a tough draft class to pinpoint. There’s going to be steals and busts all over this draft as team’s will have to take leaps of faith as opposed to having a ton of film to go off of.
These have been my top four prospects I’d like the Predators to target, but obviously there are many more to look at as possibilities. One thing I’m hoping against is the Predators don’t reach for a defensive prospect in the first round when their biggest need is stacking up more offensive scorers in their prospect pool.