The Nashville Predators are making strategic moves to bolster their bottom-six forward group, and their latest acquisition is a testament to that strategy. They've brought in the towering Adam Edstrom from the New York Rangers, sending forward Massimo Rizzo and the No. 148 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft the other way.
Edstrom, standing at an impressive 6-foot-7 and weighing in at 232 pounds, is set to become the tallest player on the Predators' roster, surpassing even the sizable defenseman Nicolas Hague. Drafted 161st overall by the Rangers back in 2019, Edstrom has seen action in 97 NHL games, tallying 10 goals and 16 points. Last season, he managed to notch five points across 35 games, with an average ice time of just under 10 minutes per game.
This move marks the third player trade orchestrated by Predators President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Chris MacFarland. While Edstrom's addition might not shake up the league, it certainly adds a hefty presence to Nashville's depth chart.
It's anticipated that Edstrom will spend some time with the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL, ready to step up to the NHL when called upon. Interestingly, despite sharing a surname and nationality, Edstrom is not related to fellow Admirals forward David Edstrom.
Before making his way to North America, Edstrom honed his skills with Rögle BK in the Swedish Hockey League. Over four seasons, he played 174 games, racking up 47 points with 23 goals and 24 assists. A highlight of his time there was winning the Champions Hockey League tournament in 2022, where he contributed a goal in nine games.
On the other side of the trade, Massimo Rizzo heads to the Rangers after a brief stint with the Predators. Rizzo had previously been acquired in March in a deal that saw Dalton Bancroft also head to Nashville, with Navrin Mutter going to the Boston Bruins. Rizzo's time in the AHL and ECHL showed flashes of potential, with six goals and 22 points in 29 games with the Reading Royals.
In essence, this trade is a classic minor league maneuver with the potential to pay off as a valuable depth acquisition for the Predators. It's all about building a robust roster that can adapt and respond as the season unfolds.
In Other News...
Predators Just Made Another Forward Move Fans Will Want To See
Nashvilles front office keeps working the forward market, and the latest move adds another piece to a group that has already seen plenty of turnover. President of hockey operations MacFarland has been active in recent weeks, bringing in Ross Colton, Jack Drury and Adam Edstrom while also extending Drury, a clear sign the Predators are still shaping the roster around more than just one move at a time.
The newest addition comes with some term attached, too, which gives Nashville a little more than a rental-style look as it keeps sorting out its mix up front. The cost was a third-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft, but the real question now is how this latest swing fits with the rest of the clubs plans, especially as the Predators continue to pile up changes and try to decide which pieces are part of the long view. [Read more 🡒]