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

Conor Geekie, C, WHL/Winnipeg Ice

It’s almost never going to be a home run pick when you’re where the Nashville Predators are selecting at the 17th pick. Too far back to know for sure, and usually you have to take on a prospect with high upside, but plenty of concerning factors to go with it.

I’d say Conor Geekie fits into this category, but with those concerns comes the possibility that he plummets down drafts boards in the first round. He could also be a major steal at the 17th pick when it’s all said and done.

Geekie is a big-bodied center that has loads of upside to succeed in the NHL. He put up 70 points in 63 games for Winnipeg in the WHL last season, and has averaged over a point-per-game over his last two seasons.

So what’s the problem, and why is Geekie not projected across the board as a top-ten pick?

Geekie still needs a lot of development, primarily with his skating and just becoming an all-round player. Hey, no harm, no fould. That’s a pretty common requirement for most draftees.

There’s a high boom-or-bust potential with Geekie. If the Predators have Geekie available when it comes their turn to pick, it will be hard to resist taking a chance on him.