Nashville Predators: Top Realistic First Round Targets in 2022 NHL Draft

The first round of the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft starts this Thursday in Montreal, and the Nashville Predators sit at the 17th-overall pick.

In an offseason with a massive dark cloud over it thanks to the ongoing contract talks with Filip Forsberg, the team desperately needs a strong first round draft pick that energizes the fanbase.

The Predators now have seven picks in this year’s draft after trading Mathieu Olivier to the Columbus Blue Jackets for the rights to Toronto’s 2022 fourth-round pick. A wise trade for a team that didn’t have roster space available for a player like Olivier.

Now the imposing question is who the Predators should realistically be looking at if they decide to not trade up in the first round and stick at pick No.17?

I’m still of the belief that the Predators should entertain trading up in the first round to get one of these dynamic scorers at wing or center. Not confident they’ll choose that draft strategy, but I wouldn’t be against it.

Here are five realistic players in this year’s draft class that the Nashville Predators could select at the 17th overall pick that have a strong chance of falling back to their spot on the draft order.

All scouting report information is via Dobber Prospects and their 2022 Fantasy Prospect Guide.