Predators chief amateur scout Tom Nolan said the team's abundance of draft capital could allow the team to speed up the process of taking a step forward, a vision outgoing general manager David Poile discussed in early March. In addition to the 15th overall pick, the Predators have another first-round pick, two second-round picks, three third-round picks, three fourth-round picks, two fifth-round picks and one sixth-round pick. "Then there's a break from there, but we still feel the depth of it is good through to where we pick." Predators have 13 NHL draft picks - which means trade capital "There's an established top of the draft," Kealty said. There are other examples of the Predators "outdrafting" their spot: Pekka Rinne in the eighth round in 2004, Mattias Ekholm in the fourth round in 2009, Roman Josi in the second round in 2008, Juuse Saros in the fourth round in 2014. They used the seventh overall pick on defenseman Ryan Suter and the 49th pick on defenseman and former captain Shea Weber. The Predators had 13 picks in that draft. Kealty pointed to the 2003 draft, also held in Nashville, as one example. We always try to say that you want to try to outdraft the spot that you're in." "There will be a lot of players available to us at that point, that we view as guys that can really develop. But that's our job, to try to see through it and try to project. "At 15, if he was identified as franchise-changing, he wouldn't be going 15th. "There's going to be all different types (of players) available," Kealty said. ![]() And it won't change their philosophy of choosing the best player available, Kealty said. That won't stop the Predators from trying, though. Though not impossible, Kealty doesn't anticipate finding the franchise-changing center at 15 that incoming general manager Barry Trotz said the team has never had and desperately needs. ![]() "You want steak or you want salmon? Our job is to try to find that guy we think is going to become something in the future." "Especially in a year like this, it's like going into a high-end restaurant," Kealty said of the first few picks. Michigan center Adam Fantilli likely will go second to the Anaheim Ducks.Īfter that, things become less predictable. Why Nashville Predators see depth in 2023 NHL Draft Bedard is arguably the most hyped prospect since Connor McDavid, who has made the Edmonton Oilers a Stanley Cup contender. The Chicago Blackhawks, who won the draft lottery Monday night, are all but certain to choose 17-year-old center Connor Bedard with the No. With the 15th overall pick in the first round, Kealty doesn't suspect the Predators will be left with table scraps in what many consider to be a top-heavy draft. The Nashville Predators assistant general manager/director of scouting and his staff have spent plenty of time during the past 10 months or so scouring the globe for talent the team can use on its 13 picks in this year's draft. ![]() Jeff Kealty is plenty aware of what's on the menu for the 2023 NHL Draft, which will be held June 28-29 at Bridgestone Arena.
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