Predators Slide to No. 5 in NHL Draft Lottery but Stay Confident with Three First-Round Picks

The Nashville Predators entered the 2024 NHL draft lottery with hopes of landing the No. 1 overall pick for the first time in franchise history. However, fate wasn’t on their side.

Despite having the third-best odds, the Predators dropped to the No. 5 position after the New York Islanders jumped from 10th to 1st and the Utah Hockey Club rose from 14th to 4th. General manager Barry Trotz had anticipated such a possibility, understanding that the odds were never guaranteed, but still expressed disappointment.

Predators Confident at No. 5, Focused on Maximizing Three First-Round Picks

Trotz remained confident that the team would still secure a high-impact player at No. 5. This marks the first time in 12 years that Nashville will have a top-five draft pick—the last being defenseman Seth Jones in 2013. Trotz emphasized that even with the slide, the organization is well-positioned to strengthen its roster, especially since they have three first-round picks in the upcoming draft.

Dropping out of the top three likely eliminates Nashville’s chances of selecting consensus elite prospects such as defenseman Matthew Schaefer or forwards Michael Misa and James Hagens. Nevertheless, Trotz and the scouting team are recalibrating their approach with a clearer idea of their position, which allows them to plan around available talent that may still significantly impact the team’s future.

Predators Weigh Top North American and European Forwards to Strengthen Future Roster

Several talented North American and European forwards are under consideration for the Predators. Among them is Porter Martone, a physically gifted winger with a standout season in the OHL, and Roger McQueen, a tall two-way forward who showed resilience and skill despite an injury-marred season in the WHL. Center Caleb Desnoyers has surged up the rankings thanks to a breakout year in the QMJHL, showcasing both scoring ability and strong physical play.

From overseas, Swedish teammates Victor Eklund and Anton Frondell are intriguing options. Eklund, a skilled right-handed winger, led Djurgardens IF in goals, while Frondell returned from injury to post solid numbers at center. With a variety of promising talents available, Trotz and the Predators are focused on making the most of their draft assets, aiming to boost their roster with young, impactful players despite missing out on the top three.