David Edstrom: The Nashville Predators Next Super Swede?

After long debates and anticipation, Yaroslav Askarov has finally been traded, with Nolan Burke and a 2025 3rd round pick to San Jose with the Predators getting back a protected 2025 1st round selection, Magnus Chorna, and David Edstrom from the Sharks.

While getting a first-round pick (that could come from San Jose or Las Vegas depending on standings and the lottery) is always fun, Edstrom might be the most interesting player in this deal for the Predators. The former first-rounder isn't NHL-bound yet but has the potential to become a vital piece on a good team.

Getting to know David Edstrom, the newest center prospect for the Preds

Edstrom is a 19-year-old Swedish prospect, standing at around 6'3" weighing in at around 190 pounds, aka ideal NHL size. He was drafted 32nd overall in the first round by Las Vegas in the 2023 NHL draft.

After two productive seasons for the Frolunda HC junior. team, he took the ice for the pro squad Frolunda HC pro squad in the Swedish Hockey League. His first season he played 11 games, producing 2 goals and 2 assists for 4 points.

The SHL is no joke. It is a top-5 hockey league in the world, and only the best 18-year-olds get shots that early at the big club. He also stared for the Swedish U18 team, scoring eight points over the seven-game tournament. This was enough to entice the Las Vegas Golden Knights to take him with the last pick in the first round in the 2023 Draft.

The next season, Edstrom was a member of the Swedish World Junior Tournament team, notching 3 assists over the 7-game set. He also played full-time for the Frolunda HC SHL squad. He suited up for 44 games, scoring 7 goals, and adding 12 assists for 19 points. He also added 14 playoff games to the mix, with another 6 points (2 goals 4 assists) coming from that run.

Despite being a developing prospect, the Golden Knights tried to make another Stanley Cup run and made a splash move by trading for Tomas Hertl.

Edstrom was part of the deal and likely became part of this deal when he informed San Jose that he intended to spend another year playing in Sweden. Given the choice, it's hard not to pick Sweden over a team that projects to be one of the league's worst.

Edstrom has the potential for a solid two-way game in NHL

Back in his draft year, Edstrom was known as a defensive center with a developing offensive game. Moves like this would tease that Edstrom has more offensive potential.

In the Athletic, Corey Pronman said “Edstrom is good around the net, kills penalties, wins a lot of battles and makes enough plays with the puck to produce good offensive numbers.”

Now that's all well and good, and it seems like he's getting more comfortable at the pro level in Sweden, but the jump to the NHL will be big. Edstrom likely has the skills and temperment for it though.

Unafraid of contact, Edstrom can use his size to get open, or hold off defenders until teammates get open. He's able to kill penalties and has no issues in the defensive zone. For an NHL comparable, think Colton Sissons, but with more size, and maybe a higher ceiling.

Now the only thing Barry Trotz and company has to do is get him over here.