The 2023 NHL Entry Draft is under three weeks away, and the host Nashville Predators are picking 15th overall, their highest since 2020 when they selected Yaroslav Askarov at No.11.
Incoming General Manager Barry Trotz is heading into his first draft and has a load of picks with 13 total, so it’s safe to say his draft team will be busy on the phones looking to make trades and move up and down the draft order.
As for the 15th pick that the Predators currently have, it’s fathomable that they could try to move up from that pick to get a player they really want. This draft class is loaded with offensive talent and speed, something Trotz is most certainly looking to add to the prospect pool.
Juuse Saros has surfaced as a possible trade piece, and was already reportedly shopped during this past season with the LA Kings:
The Kings/Predators had discussed a trade involving goalie Juuse Saros during the season, prior to LA landing Korpisalo/Gavrikov. A package involved multiple 1sts/prospects. I’m curious if LA revisits these talks this month or if that ship has sailed.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 7, 2023
There’s even trade talks that pending RFA Alex DeBrincat has submitted a list of preferred destinations to be traded to, and yes the Nashville Predators are one of them, per Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.
So all of this to say that with the 13 picks the Nashville Predators hold in the upcoming draft, it’s possible they’ll use some of these to move up in the first round or use them as part of a trade package to lure in DeBrincat.
If the Nashville Predators stick at the 15th overall pick, then here’s my current top-5 draft board for them.