Players with upside, but not as certain or proven
When the Predators called up Wilsby from Milwaukee, they also called up Nick Blankenburg, who has also shown promise in a lot of the same ways. He has shown speed and offensive skill, and has risen to the occasion multiple times defensively as well, although he is way more offensively inclined.
Some might wonder why he is not a tier higher on this list, but you have to remember he was an undrafted guy who is almost 27, and guys typically show sustained promise before then. Maybe it is not totally fair to hold that against him, but it does make you ask whether he will ever truly blossom, or simply stall out in development.
That being said, he has been a nice addition to the right side of a Predators defense that has next to nothing, and there is a good chance he does continue to show upside in 2025-26.
Next is another former 2021 1st round pick who made his debut this season and has high expectations around him, and that is Zachary L'Heureux. Everyone knew from the moment he was drafted that his bread and butter was being physical and imposing, and he has absolutely shown that with almost 200 hits on the season.
What is also important to talk about with L'Heureux is him managing to show discipline at the highest level of hockey. He has carried a reputation from his early days of getting into trouble and unnecessary altercations with his opponents, but beside one suspension that was really nothing egregious, he has acted and played like a professional in the NHL, which is a relief.
In order for him to reach that next level of upside, we will have to see more offensive game along with the physical aspect we have already seen, but there is every reason to believe that he can get there.
Justus Annunen is the final Predators player who has shown tangibe upside, and Barry Trotz knew he had it when he traded for him in late November. He was right about it too, as the former 3rd round pick from 2018 has taken over the backup goaltender role and had plenty of good moments in net.
What holds him back from being further up on this list is that his base statistics are actually pretty bad, and it is clear watching him that he is not yet a finished product. It is a bit tough to judge since the Predators are dressing a barely NHL caliber defense nowadays, but seeing Annunen get lit up so many times makes it so that you cannot be totally sold on his future.