The Nashville Predators opted to dabble in all departments with their first three picks, taking goalie Dmitri Borichev with the No. 70 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager Chris MacFarland previously selected winger Wyatt Cullen at No. 10 and defenseman Tommy Bleyl at No. 31, and with Borichev at No. 70, their draft has a mix of everything.
The 18-year-old played 24 games with Loko-76 Yaroslav of the MHL, averaging a .929-save percentage and 2.25-goals-against average with three shutouts. In the playoffs, he posted a .947 SV% and 1.85 GAA in two games played. The Russian goaltender was ranked No. 1 among EU goalies by NHL Central Scouting and ranked No. 44 by EliteProspects.com.
Standing at 6-foot-3, 198 pounds, Borichev is tied for tallest Predators goalie prospect, sharing the title with Isak Posch. With the top names standing below 6-foot with Jack Ivankovic at 5-foot-11, he will help bring size back into the crease and will be the first Russian goalie since Yaroslav Askarov.
Borichev has all the materials to be a reliable goalie in the NHL. His athleticism is his strong suit. He reaches over with his glove to make quick saves and is a dependable last-resort option. He carries a calm presence in the net, similar to Predators goalie Juuse Saros. His puck-tracking ability is one of the best among goalies in his draft class.
Where Borichev becomes a question for the Predators is his overall projection. Playing in the MHL, he hasn't exactly played against top competition. Another flaw scouts have noticed is his cross-crease movement. He isn't the fastest post-to-post goalie, but there's still time to develop to become one.
Josh Tessler of Smaht Scouting had a lot of praise for Borichev in his draft rankings.
"Borichev moves efficiently within the crease. While not overly reliant on explosive athleticism, he shows solid side-to-side speed and uses his size effectively to close space, allowing him to arrive on angle and shut down the opposite side without excessive movement. However, lateral timing and lower-net sealing can fluctuate. When reacting to attackers manipulating his positioning down low, he can become vulnerable through the five-hole, particularly during shifts across the crease."Josh Tessler, Smaht Scouting
With Saros locked up for near future and Ivankovic expected to eventually play in the NHL, Borichev's future with the Predators carries a lot of uncertainty. However, if he continues to impress the organization, he could very well be a solid option and compete for a spot in the team's young core.
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