If you thought the Nashville Predators enjoyed a phenomenal first round with picks No. 5 and No. 21, they geared up again when they took Ryker Lee with the 26th selection. Funnily enough, Tankathon had the Preds rolling with Lee with the 35th pick, but they decided to land him nine selections sooner.
And it's easy to see why, given Lee's versatility as a forward, his decent size at 6'0, 181 lbs, and the fact he's an older prospect with a November 2006 birthday. These are all the tools you look for in a high-potential prospect drafted toward the end of the first round. And one who can solidify a spot in the middle six a few years from today.
You can't help but give the Nashville Predators an A-plus in the first round here
Taking Brady Martin may've been a reach for some, but his Marchand-like comparisons and productivity made me applaud the Preds. Meanwhile, Cameron Reid grew into one of my favorite prospects as the draft process continued.
As for Lee, he may not have forged a spot on the US Development Team or anything like that. He also didn't enjoy an outstanding showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. But none of that should matter.
In 2024-25, Lee came into his own for the USHL's Madison Capitols, putting up 68 points and 31 goals in 58 games. That can foreshadow what he'll do at the next level when he plays college hockey at Michigan State.
And Lee's the kind of player who fans should have no qualms with playing all four seasons of eligibnility for the Spartans and let him sign after his senior season. He could likely use a year in the AHL, but by 2030, he should be a great asset for Nashville.
But overall, it was one heck of a first-round haul for the Preds. An organization that desperately needed to forge an identity change, and that started with rebuilding the prospects pool.
More from Predlines