The Nashville Predators continue to add size and grit to their bottom-six forward group, acquiring forward Adam Edstrom from the New York Rangers in exchange for forward Massimo Rizzo and the No. 148 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Edstrom, 25, was drafted by the Rangers 161st overall in 2019 and has since played 97 games with the club, scoring 10 goals and 16 points. He posted five points in 35 games last season, averaging 9:28 minutes of ice time per game. Standing at a towering 6-foot-7, 232 pounds, he surpasses defenseman Nicolas Hague, 6-foot-6, as the Predators tallest player.
His acquisition marks the third player trade by Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager Chris MacFarland and his fourth trade with the organization. While not a huge move in terms of impact, Edstrom adds sizeable depth to the bottom-six core. It is likely that he'll play with the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL, serving as an NHL call-up when needed. He is not related to fellow Admirals forward David Edstrom, although they are both Swedes.
Prior to playing in North America, the Swedish forward played with Rögle BK in the Swedish Hockey League where he spent four seasons with the club, playing 174 games and scoring 47 points (23g, 24a). He won the Champions Hockey League tournament in 2022, scoring one goal in nine games.
Rizzo was previously traded to the Predators in March, along with Dalton Bancroft in exchange for Navrin Mutter to the Boston Bruins. Rizzo played one game with the Providence Bruins in the AHL, going pointless, and 29 games with the Reading Royals in the ECHL, scoring six goals and 22 points.
In the end, it is a simple minor league swap that can turn into a valuable depth pick up in the long run.
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