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2021 NHL Mock Draft: Top Targets for Nashville Predators in 1st Round

By Chad Minton

Nashville Predators players thank the crowd after being eliminated in overtime by the Carolina Hurricanes in game six of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Nashville Predators players thank the crowd after being eliminated in overtime by the Carolina Hurricanes in game six of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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2020 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft at the NHL Network Studio on October 06, 2020 in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
2020 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft at the NHL Network Studio on October 06, 2020 in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

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”."

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