After stumping some with their fifth-overall selection in Brady Martin, the Nashville Predators knew they couldn't go back-to-back. In a trade with the Ottawa Senators, General Manager Barry Trotz sent the 23rd and 67th overall picks in exchange for the 21st overall pick.
With the 21st overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, the Nashville Predators selected Cameron Reid from the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL.
The left-handed defenseman recorded 54 points in 67 games with the Rangers this season, including an additional five points in 14 playoff games. Scouts see a promising puck-moving defenseman in the making with his elite skating abilities and his puck presence. With the likes of Tanner Molendyk and Ryan Ufko, Nashville will have a promising D-core in the coming years.
Nashville Predators grabbed a draft steal in Reid
The 6'0", 190 lbs defender is known for his physicality. His defensive hockey IQ is one of the best in his draft class. His speed and forechecking abilities allow him to end plays right as they begin.
Reid's elite defensive zone positioning allows him to easily redirect puck traffic in front of the net. He's able to maintain gaps and close open spaces in the faceoff dots. He might not be the tallest defenseman in the draft, but he sure ain't the least physical. Just wait until he joins Smashville in the coming years.
Once he ends a play, he starts a new one for his own squad. Reid saw an explosion in point production this season with the Rangers. He went from a .49 PPG pace in the previous season to an impressive .80. Analysts have compared Reid to Thomas Chabot of the Senators—a very promising sign for Nashville.
When asked about the Smashville environment, Reid said that he is pretty stoked to join Nashville and is looking forward to the Honky Tonk action. Reid will join centerman Brady Martin and right winger Ryker Lee in Nashville's development camp.
What does this selection mean for the Preds?
In short, Reid has the potential to be a future 1-2 LD. With Martin, Trotz seems to be looking for a more physical presence on Bridgestone Arena. The additional of Reid means so much for this goal. His willingness to jump into any play, no matter the situation, would allow Nashville to gain the upper hand in a lot of plays.
Though he has been compared to Chabot, at a Predators standpoint, Reid is a lot like former Nashville D-man Mattias Ekholm. Ekholm was known for his calm composure at the blue line which allowed him to chip into plays without notice.
If Reid takes the same path as Ekholm, Nashville is in good hands. With the first round in the books, let's see what other cards Trotz has to play in rounds 2-7.
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