Round 7: Martin Erat, Pick 191
Nashville saw potential in Martin Erat when they selected him in the 1999 NHL Draft. It only took Erat two seasons to make his case on why he deserves NHL time. In his first season with the Predators, he recorded an impressive 33 points in 80 games, consisting of 9 goals and 24 assists. In his 11-year tenure with the Preds, he racked up 481 points, including 163 goals. Even though Erat did play pretty well with us, his most important contribution was being a bribing piece in the trade that sent Filip Forsberg to Nashville. A clutch player on the ice and in GM's suite.
Honorable Mention
Patric Hornqvist (230th Overall)
Round 8: Pekka Rinne, Pick 258
Pekka Rinne is the goat of Nashville. He has to the see the chiropractor once a week since he had to carry the team on his back for more than a decade. In 683 games, Rinne posted a .917 SV% and a 2.43 GAA. He won the Predators 369 games in the regular season. His phenomenal performance in the 2017-18 season—.927 SV% and 2.31 GAA with 8 shutouts—awarded him the Vezina Trophy for goaltender of the year.
His Finnish roots made him the perfect father figure for Saros in his early years in the NHL. Rinne remains an inconic figure in the Nashville area. He is the member of the club to have his number, 35, hung in the rafters and retired. Not only that, but he welcomes fans into Bridgestone Arena with his 11-foot-tall statue just outside. He's considered as one of the biggest draft steals in NHL history—a well deserved title for the Finnish king.
Round 9: Karlis Skrastins, Pick 230
The Predators selected the late Karlis Skrastins in the final round of their first draft. He instantly joined the big club after the draft and recorded an assist in two games. In the seasons following, one point became 53—13g, 40a. He was an important depth player for Nashville in their early years and helped push them in the right direction. Skastins departed in 2003 and joined the Avs. He sadly passed away in a plane accident in 2011, shaking Nashville and the hockey community. The Predators are grateful for the time they had with him on the ice and in the locker room.