The trade wins are blowing through the Nashville Predators organization. Just after the Philip Tomasino trade comes another move. It doesn't make the same waves, but it does connect the Predators coaching staff to a prospect in a unique way.
The Nashville Predators agree to send Future Considerations to the Chicago Blackhawks and in return the Predators will receive prospect Ryder Rolston. Rolston will be reporting to the AHL and suiting up for the Milwaukee Admirals first though, so don't get any custom jersey made just yet.
Rolston was a fifth round pick of the Colorado Avalanche (139th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft. He wasn't a member of the organization for very long, as they threw him into a trade to the Chicago Blackhawks. He and Josh Dickinson were swapped for Carl Soderberg, April 12, 2021.
Within the Blackhawks organization, Rolston played a full season with the Rockford IceHogs last season, with 62 games resulting in 10 goals, and 9 assists for 19 points. This season he's played 6 games and scored once. Previously he starred for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for 3 productive seasons in the Big 10.
Scouting report on Rolston
Going into the draft process, Rolston was ranked as a mid 2nd round prospect in some rankings, but in some as a late round flier, which is where he ended up going in the draft. He is a very strong skater, but has been described as a player who spent too much time on the perimeter of the ice, and wasting his time and energy on lateral movement instead of north south play. He himself said he needed to work on his shot.
At 6'2" 200 pounds he has that NHL size that always seems to tantalize scouts and general managers. Add a good to great skating ability to that, and some USNTDP experience (two USHL seasons) and a successful college career at a top tier program will help give a player a shot at success at the pro level.
Here's the kicker, genetics. Ryder Rolston is the son of Brian Rolston, an NHL veteran of 1256 games. Perhaps more intersting is the Rolston (Brian) played 241 games with the Minnesota Wild, and was teammates with Andrew Brunette for Rolston's whole stretch with the team.
We're not advocates of gambling, but if you could lay money down on Rolston at least playing a preseason contest with the Preds next year, you should. If he has success at the AHL level, with his NHL pedigree he'll be high on the list to get a look in Predators blue and yellow.
What Are Future Considerations?
Basically, an agreement that two teams will complete a swap at a later date. In the NHL you can not trade a player or pick for cash, but sometimes a deal is struck without the full return designated. In this case, the Blackhawks are taking a wait and see approach on what they return to be. Or it could be that there are certain stipulations on the return depending on what Rolston does with the Predators.
Right now, the Nashville Predators are one player richer without giving up anything...yet.