Since the Nashville Predators had to wait as 54 players were selected before they could choose one of their own, hope remained that David Poile would keep himself occupied in other manners.
Hockey insiders and people close with the sport speculated trades were going to be swirling around all weekend, and that’s exactly what happened: 16 player-involved trades happened over the weekend. Alas, none of those included the Predators. Though they were looking to move Viktor Stalberg (and it seems likely he won’t be on the team next year), the roster looks the same as it did before the weekend started.
But even though the best-case scenario didn’t happen, the Preds still did what they came to Florida to do: draft. Seven players were taken on Saturday, majority of them centers. None will be able to jump into to top-line duty by October, but the front office was certainly trying to fill an organizational need down the road.
The Draft Picks
2nd Round, 55th – IAKOV (YAKOV) TRENIN, Chelyabinsk, Russia – Center from Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL) 6’1″, 194 lbs.
3rd Round, 85th – THOMAS NOVAK, River Falls, Wisconsin – Center from Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) 6’0″, 179 lbs. Committed to the University of Minnesota for 2015-2016.
4th Round 100th – ANTHONY RICHARD, Trois-Riveires, Quebec, Canada – Center from Val-d’Or Foreurs (QMJHL) 5’9″ 163lbs.
4th Round 115th – ALEXANDRE CARRIER, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada – Defense from Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL) 5’11”, 174 lbs.
5th Round145th – KAREL VEJMELKA, Trebic, Czech Republic – Goaltender from HC Dynamo Pardubice (Czech U20) 6’3″, 202 lbs.
6th Round 175th – TYLER MOY, San Diego, California – Center from Harvard University (NCAA) 6’0″, 195 lbs.
7th Round 205th – EVAN SMITH, Parker, Colorado – Goaltender from Austin Bruins (NAHL) 6’6″, 174 lbs.
Novak and Carrier come from the same QMJHL team, and Moy is a current teammate of Preds hopeful Jimmy Vesey. The two are slated to come to development camp this summer, and will no doubt be able to share their dream of eventually playing in the NHL together during the NCAA season.
Without coming away with a name in the 1st round, it’s hard to label this draft as either a win or a lose. Indeed, it certainly isn’t the home run that last year’s was, but it also isn’t a dud yet. Nashville was clearly stocking up for a position they want filled in the future, and there can’t be much fault in looking ahead.