Nathan Gaucher, C/LW, Quebec Remparts
More so than any of the first three listed, Nathan Gaucher seems like a more conservative choice at the 17th pick. He has a lot of encouraging offensive tools, and his versatility to play wing or center certainly has me interested.
Gaucher has decent size at 6’3″, 207 pounds and has the potential to be a power forward type of player. Someone who uses their size and physicality to generate offensive space in the zone. Seems to fit what type of team the Predators want to be.
However, Gaucher does need to work on using his large frame more to his benefit, but there’s certainly an ecouraging foundation to start with for any team that drafts him. Looking at most mock drafts, Gaucher is likely to be avaible when the Predators make their first pick.
Gaucher amassed 57 points in 66 games in the QMJHL, while also coming up big in the playoffs with nine additional points. He does have a propensity to go to the penalty box, logging 74 PIM last season. Ah, he’ll fit right in with Nashville.