NHL Draft 2023: Nashville Predators Top-5 Draft Board and Strategy

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:

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.

#5: Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Right Defense, SHL

Although the bigger need for the Nashville Predators might be more speed in their forward core, Axel Sandin Pellikka would still be a great pick for something else the prospect pool has a need for. Another offensive defenseman.

Sandin Pellikka is regarded by many scouts as the best offensive defenseman in this year’s draft class. Someone who can eventually become a top blueliner for an NHL club. A quarterback if you will, much like what Roman Josi is for the Predators now.

“He has a high offensive IQ to go along with slick puck-moving abilities. The way he can patrol the offensive blue line is unmatched amongst this year’s crop of defencemen.”- The Hockey Writers Draft Profile

This would be a pick for the long-term future for the Nashville Predators. He needs some polishing on his defensive game which is why he could possibly slip to No.15 for the Predators to take.

I wouldn’t be upset with taking Sandin Pellikka at all if the Predators land him. His early international experience for Sweden and in the SHL along with his gifted offensive traits, and on the power play, make him an enticing pick.

#4: Samuel Honzek, Center/Wing, WHL

I have Samuel Honzek at No.4 on my current Nashville Predators draft board because he’s massive at 6’4″ but still has impressive skating for being that large. It could mean his transition to the NHL eventually would be a little more seamless than someone who is undersized and could get pushed around by bigger NHL players.

With that said, Honzek is safe pick, but not necessarily one that jumps out as a potential home run pick, either. Honzek cracks my list because you never know what might happen in the first 14 picks, and he would at least be a very nice backup plan that I wouldn’t be upset about.

Honzek has invaluable experience playing against hockey veterans in Slovakia. He has just one season under his belt in North America, playing for the Vancouver Giants and showing no hiccups in the transition with 56 points in 43 games. Very optimal if you’re thinking about drafting him.

This would be a pick for a few seasons down the road before seeing Honzek in a Predators sweater. Likely at least two or three seasons fine tuning his offensive game, which is why this wouldn’t be a lights out pick by any means, but safe.

Honzek with the right development path can eventually become a top-six player at either wing or center. Again, a quality backup pick if some other preferred targets come off the board before No.15 and you don’t trade up.

#3: Brayden Yager, Center, WHL

Time for the Nashville Predators to start thinking about reloading the center position in the prospect pool. They’ve called up a lot of them recently to the NHL level, so this would be a positional pick for a couple years down the road.

Brayden Yager is projected to go anywhere around No.15, so there’s a decent chance he’ll still be on the board when the Predators pick.

According to The Hockey Writers, Yager might not be your prototypical centerman. He looks to score goals first and foremost and might end up being a winger on the NHL level. Much like Philip Tomasino has yet to become a fulltime center and has played more wing in his early days in the NHL.

Yager has shown in the WHL for the Moosejaw Warriors that he has the pure knack to score goals. Where do I sign as a Nashville Predators fan?

Kyle Pereira of Last Word on Sports does have some concerns that could have Yager slip out of the top-10 and into the drafting hands of the Nashville Predators:

“When he builds up speed and really takes off, few players can truly keep up. However, those moments do not come very often. Yager does not have the best edge work, which impacts his ability to build up speed.”

When you’re picking mid first round like the Predators are, unless they trade up, then you have to make some concessions with your picks. Yager’s strengths still outweigh his weaknesses, and I think he’d be an excellent value pick for the Predators if he falls that far.

#2: Zach Benson, Left Wing, WHL

A popular mock draft pick for the Nashville Predators with less than three weeks until they’re on the clock at Bridgestone Arena is Zach Benson.

Benson has top-10 offensive talent in a draft class that is loaded with it, but he slides back for many scouts because he’s undersized at 5’10”. He didn’t let that hold him back, which really makes him an intriguing prospect for the Predators to consider at the 15th pick.

Despite being undersized, Benson piled up an astounding 98 points in the 2022-23 regular season for the Winnipeg Ice of the WHL. He added another 17 points in the playoffs.

Benson is ranked top-10 by many scouting websites including Elite Prospects, Daily Faceoff and TSN. So why is he possibly sliding all the way back to No.15. Well for one, the draft class if very top-heavy with elite offensive talent.

Secondly, the size issue is a valid concern at the next level. Can Benson overcome that against much bigger NHL defenders? That’s the risk you take, but the ceiling is enormous. It will be hard to resist taking a chance on Benson if he’s available at 15th, and I say you take a swing if you’re Trotz.

That is with the exception of my top prospect I have on the Nashville Predators draft board, and this is mainly because I’m not completely convinced that Benson slides to No.15.

#1: Gabe Perreault, Left Wing, Team USA U-18

Gabe Perreault looks very likely to be available to the Predators if they stay at No.15, but it would still be a solid pick to be excited about.

Perreault is a fiery forward who plays with tenacity, hits hard but still has tons of offensive upside. His one downside according to scouts is his skating and maybe a little undersized at 5’11”. But he makes up for it with his energy and physical game.

And back to Perreault’s offensive upside; he has piled up 132 points for the Team USA U-18 National Development Team. He’s a player who plays a fearless style and can also end up being a power play weapon down the road with his passing abilities.

Check out the stickhandling, aggressiveness on the rush and passing skills in this highlight clip for Perreault:

With the Nashville Predators quickly elevating a lot of dynamic forwards through their system like Luke Evangelista, Egor Afanasyev and possibly even Joakim Kemell, they’ll need to reload the system with another offensively dynamic prospect like Gabe Perreault. And he’ll likely slip to No.15 on draft day in Nashville.

What draws me to Perreault more so than Yager is his playing style that fits exactly what Trotz is looking to stockpile in the draft class. An offensive edge and a gritty combination of physicality and offensive skill.

It’s downright hard to wrap your head around 132 points in 68 games at any level, and that’s what Perreault accomplished this past year in junior development hockey with Team USA. He is a prototypical point guard on the ice, finding teammates and making offensive happen.

I’ve got Perreault at the top of my Nashville Predators draft board because I think he’s most realistic, a bit safer of a pick than Benson, but still absolutely has a high upside.