Nashville Predators 2023 NHL Draft Board 3.0: First Round Targets
By Chad Minton
#6: Gavin Brindley, RW/C, University of Michigan
Projected Pick Range: 15th to 25th
Making his debut on my Nashville Predators first round draft board is Gavin Brindley. The more I’ve looked at his highlights and read up on scouting reports, the more I think this can be a gem of a pick for Barry Trotz and company.
Brindley isn’t getting all of the hype mainly because the draft class is so overloaded, which spells the possibility of grabbing a steal for the Predators and probably why they might be happy with just staying put.
As a teammate of projected 2nd overall pick Adam Fantilli, Brindley gets overlooked a bit. Don’t let that push you away from the fact that Brindley is supremely gifted at moving the puck and making offense happen with his dynamic skating.
Is that enough to overcome his undersized attributes at the NHL level? Well, that’s why Brindley is falling not only to very likely at least to the 15th overall pick, but maybe even to the Predators’ grasp at the 24th overall pick, which I then say you don’t even think twice about selecting him there.
Gavin Brindley has been excellent since returning from the WJC.
— /Cam Robinson/ (@Hockey_Robinson) February 11, 2023
With 1+1 so far tonight, he's extended his point streak to 8 games.
He has 6 goals and 14 points over that span. pic.twitter.com/Bh1pX7NyFK
Brindley has potential steal written all over him. Many teams will steer clear of his undersized attributes and some other things that need to be developed before being NHL-ready.