The Nashville Predators wrapped up an impressive NHL draft, marking one of their best in recent years. Under the fresh leadership of President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Chris MacFarland, the team approached the draft with a renewed focus, aiming to bolster their already promising prospect pool. By all accounts, they succeeded in spectacular fashion.
Kicking things off with a bang, the Predators snagged elite winger Wyatt Cullen at the 10th pick. Cullen, ranked 13th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, is a standout offensive talent in this draft class. With his deft puck-handling and sharp passing, Cullen is poised to become a top-line forward for Nashville, potentially joining forces with the likes of Brady Martin, Ryker Lee, and Matthew Wood.
MacFarland couldn't contain his excitement about Cullen, stating, "A guy like Wyatt Cullen, he's obviously super, he's got good skill, good skater which is something that excites me. Looks like he's just scratching the surface of what he can be. I think he's one of the youngest players in this draft and super excited about where he's going and what his path might look like."
Cullen's stats back up the hype. In 15 games with the USHL's USNTDP Juniors, he notched six goals and ten assists.
His performance at the WJC-18 was even more impressive, racking up nine points in just five games. His knack for eluding defenders makes him a valuable asset, and he's expected to seamlessly integrate into the Predators' top-six, enhancing their power play with his slick hands and elite passing.
MacFarland wasn't done making waves in the first round. After acquiring the 31st pick from the Carolina Hurricanes, he selected Tommy Bleyl, an offensive defenseman with a knack for speed. Bleyl, who led all defensemen in the QMJHL with 81 points, was a strategic pick for Nashville, adding a dynamic offensive component from the blue line.
"We're really high on [Bleyl]," MacFarland said. "We were trying to get back into [the first round] for a couple of picks there before and just weren't able to find the sweet spot, and we did with Carolina. To add another guy that's a really good skater that's going to add a little bit of a dynamic offensive component from the back end, I think it's really important."
The Predators' savvy selections continued beyond the first round. Despite missing the second round, they bounced back by picking Dmitri Borichev, a top-ranked Russian goalie prospect.
Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 187 pounds, Borichev's size and athleticism make him a formidable presence in the net. Although his development may take time due to contract obligations, the Predators are confident it's worth the wait.
Assistant General Manager and Director of Scouting Jeff Kealty shared his enthusiasm, saying, "He's got all the attributes that will allow him to continue to develop. Very athletic, competes really hard, has the things you see in a lot of Russian goalies in terms of his movement and just a lot of sense. For him to get to us in the third round, we were really excited about that."
In the fourth round, Nashville added two more promising players. Jakub Floris, a right-handed defenseman at 6-foot-3, brings aggression and strength to both ends of the ice.
Kealty praised his profile, noting, "He's 6-foot-3, is right-handed, strong, moves well, he's got a lot of tools. He can move the puck, get involved in the offense.
He uses that size to defend. He plays hard down low in the D zone.
He has to refine some things, but he's of high character and work ethic."
Twelve picks later, Justin Graf, brother of San Jose Sharks forward Collin Graf, joined the Predators. Graf may not be flashy, but his smart play and impressive motor make him a reliable team player.
Kealty highlighted his hockey sense and skill, adding, "Great anticipation to be around the puck, come up with pucks, had a really good year in Cedar Rapids. He was very productive for that team.
It's the skills and abilities that you think can translate. We're hoping that he could be a really good pick for us."
The Predators' draft strategy didn't wane in later rounds. In the fifth, they picked Swedish winger Philip Hemmyr, a versatile two-way forward known for his consistent 200-foot game. His ability to play both center and wing adds depth to Nashville's future lineup.
Back on defense, Benjamin Cossette-Ayotte from the QMJHL was selected. Known for his stay-at-home style, Cossette-Ayotte is a reliable presence at the blue line, though scouts have noted consistency as an area for improvement.
Rounding out the draft, Nashville chose center Charlie Puglisi with the 202nd pick. Puglisi excels in all three zones, minimizing turnovers with careful play and effective puck movement. Though he may have the lowest potential among Nashville's picks, his skill set could become invaluable with the right development.
MacFarland's strategic approach to the draft laid the foundation for a promising future. With these new prospects complementing their existing talent, the Predators are poised for exciting times ahead. As they turn their attention to free agency, MacFarland faces the challenge of adding cornerstone pieces to elevate the team from the middle of the pack.
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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 🡒]