The Nashville Predators had 5 picks in the first three rounds of a deep draft and were looking to push their rebuild into full motion that was initiated by trading veterans Johnny Gaudreau and Alexander Edler amongst others. The 2020 Entry draft won't be the only one that will shape the future face of this franchise, but it is the first after drastic changes to the lineup and the young players added will have a chance to form the core of a team that is looking to be a perennial playoff contender.
Focus in the draft was to add talent on all postions and while the Predators farm system is strong in goal and on defense, there can never be enough young talent in the pipeline. Heading into the draft, forward quality and depth among prospects was the most pressing concern.
Round 1, 18th overall: F Mavrik Bourque
Just like Samuel Poulin, the Predators first round pick in 2019, Bourque carried his QMJHL team on his back in his draft year and excelled doing so. A smart and quick-thinking two-way center, Bourque will need to add strength, but otherwise should be on the fast lane to becoming an NHL player.
Round 1, 19th overall: F Brendan Brisson
After dominating the USHL in his draft year, Brisson will be heading to the University of Michigan. A skilled and intelligent center, Brisson will look to improve his skating before turning pro.
Round 2, 43rd overall: F Thomas Bordeleau
The Predators were hoping Marat Khusnutdinov would fall to their 2nd round pick, but Simgod nabbed him way before 43. However, Bordeleau is more than an nice consolidation prize. In an overall fairly weak year for the USNTDP, Bordeleau has been a standout, his qualities falling in line with the two first round picks Bourque and Brisson, being a smart two-way player with some development in the physical department to do.
Round 3, 77th overall: D Ronan Seeley
Seeley was buried on a deep blueline in Everett, but held his own. An outstanding skater, he uses his smarts to support the offense wherever possible whilst being strong in his own end. The Predators hope he will enjoy a breakout season in 20/21 with some of the players ahead of him on the depth chart leaving the team, allowing him to play in all situations and get a big amount of ice time.
Round 3, 80th overall: F Theodor Niederbach
Ecstatic to see the swedish forward still available this late, the Predators wasted no time scooping up Niederbach. After a lost yeard in 18/19 due to injury, Niederbach came back strong and got better and better as the season progressed.
Round 5, 142nd overall: G Alexei Melnichuk
Already signed to an NHL contract by the San Jose Sharks, Melnichuk headlines now a talented and deep group of young goalies in the Predators' system. His numbers in Russia were outstanding and his first season in North America will show how much of that was because of playing on the KHL powerhouse SKA St. Petersburg.
Round 5, 154th overall: F Oskar Magnusson
Magnusson has a lot of development to do, but his raw talent makes him an exciting prospect. The young Swede has a lot of time and as he gains strength and expierience, he is more likely to become an NHL player down the line.
Round 6 167th overall: F Alex Laferriere
One of the top offensive players in the USHL, Laferriere is heading to Harvard University where he will be looking to add more traits to his offensive style and round out his game.
Focus in the draft was to add talent on all postions and while the Predators farm system is strong in goal and on defense, there can never be enough young talent in the pipeline. Heading into the draft, forward quality and depth among prospects was the most pressing concern.
Round 1, 18th overall: F Mavrik Bourque
Just like Samuel Poulin, the Predators first round pick in 2019, Bourque carried his QMJHL team on his back in his draft year and excelled doing so. A smart and quick-thinking two-way center, Bourque will need to add strength, but otherwise should be on the fast lane to becoming an NHL player.
Round 1, 19th overall: F Brendan Brisson
After dominating the USHL in his draft year, Brisson will be heading to the University of Michigan. A skilled and intelligent center, Brisson will look to improve his skating before turning pro.
Round 2, 43rd overall: F Thomas Bordeleau
The Predators were hoping Marat Khusnutdinov would fall to their 2nd round pick, but Simgod nabbed him way before 43. However, Bordeleau is more than an nice consolidation prize. In an overall fairly weak year for the USNTDP, Bordeleau has been a standout, his qualities falling in line with the two first round picks Bourque and Brisson, being a smart two-way player with some development in the physical department to do.
Round 3, 77th overall: D Ronan Seeley
Seeley was buried on a deep blueline in Everett, but held his own. An outstanding skater, he uses his smarts to support the offense wherever possible whilst being strong in his own end. The Predators hope he will enjoy a breakout season in 20/21 with some of the players ahead of him on the depth chart leaving the team, allowing him to play in all situations and get a big amount of ice time.
Round 3, 80th overall: F Theodor Niederbach
Ecstatic to see the swedish forward still available this late, the Predators wasted no time scooping up Niederbach. After a lost yeard in 18/19 due to injury, Niederbach came back strong and got better and better as the season progressed.
Round 5, 142nd overall: G Alexei Melnichuk
Already signed to an NHL contract by the San Jose Sharks, Melnichuk headlines now a talented and deep group of young goalies in the Predators' system. His numbers in Russia were outstanding and his first season in North America will show how much of that was because of playing on the KHL powerhouse SKA St. Petersburg.
Round 5, 154th overall: F Oskar Magnusson
Magnusson has a lot of development to do, but his raw talent makes him an exciting prospect. The young Swede has a lot of time and as he gains strength and expierience, he is more likely to become an NHL player down the line.
Round 6 167th overall: F Alex Laferriere
One of the top offensive players in the USHL, Laferriere is heading to Harvard University where he will be looking to add more traits to his offensive style and round out his game.
