2026-27 NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown: Nashville Predators’ Top 10

Jul 28, 2026, 08:38 EDTUpdated: Jul 28, 2026, 08:39 EDT

2026-27 NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown: Nashville Predators’ Top 10

Credit: Steven Ellis

Welcome back.

It’s time for Daily Faceoff’s third annual NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown, looking at the best all 32 teams have to offer. We’re highlighting the top 10 prospects for every franchise, their biggest strengths and weaknesses, and so much more.

Here are the criteria for being labeled a prospect: players generally have to have played in 50 or fewer NHL games or spent more time outside the NHL than in it last year. Players over 23 years old are not included. Goaltenders are a bit more subjective, but they must be 25 or under and have played fewer than 20 games in the past season or fewer than 30 games over their career.

Today, we’re breaking down the Nashville Predators.

Nashville Predators hockey hasn’t been worth watching for a few years now. But, dang, they have a fun pipeline

Under former GM Barry Trotz, the Predators had a seemingly endless number of selections over the past five years. The team took their big swing on the NHL talent a few years ago, but has managed to build one of the strongest prospect pools in hockey over the past couple of seasons. There have been some hits and misses, but for the most part, it feels like very few teams have the pure level of depth Nashville has. You might even see a few of the players reach the NHL on a full-time basis this season, with Brady Martin, Ryan Ufko, and Tanner Molendyk all looking to make their marks sooner rather than later.

It’s still going to be difficult for Nashville to become competitive in the short run, but they built an identity on trying to get players who are tough to play against, and I love that for them. Thank you.

Here’s one notable prospect missing this year: Joakim Kemell. We had him as high as No. 2 in 2024-25, but he’s not even listed this year. I don’t know what the path forward for Kemell is anymore, even after watching him in the NHL this past year. It’s too bad, because he was a mainstay on this list throughout the series’ existence.

Biggest Strength

The pure depth is enormous. Teddy Stiga and David Edstrom are personal favorites for me thanks to their strong work ethic. I also considered Alex Huang, Dmitri Borichev and Kemell here, too. There aren’t many teams that have as many solid depth options as Nashville, which opens up some trade opportunities or some room for error if some of these young talents don’t end up panning out. Sometimes, quantity can be just as successful as quality because you want to have as many bullets in the chamber as possible.

Biggest Weakness

I wish there was more true right wing depth in this pipeline. I’m not sure there’s a single right winger with a real path to the NHL. You can obviously move other forwards to the right side if needed, but teams are constantly looking for natural wingers that can dominate the position. It feels like that’s something Nashville is sorely lacking in their pipeline right now.

Fast Facts:

NHL GM: Chris MacFarland
Chief Amateur Scout: Tom Nolan
Dir. of Player Development: Scott Nichol
AHL Affiliate: Milwaukee Admirals
ECHL Affiliate: Atlanta Gladiators
Recent NHL Graduates: Matthew Wood, RW; Ozzy Wiesblatt, RW

TOP 10 PROSPECTS

*Wyatt Cullen (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)*

1. Wyatt Cullen, LW, 18 (University of Minnesota, NCAA)

Acquired: Drafted 10th overall, first round in 2026

Cullen was the USNTDP’s top player last season thanks to his high-end hockey sense and the ability to get the whole American attack moving. His puck-handling – both as a shooter and a passer – is remarkable. Cullen is a high-end skater who seemingly found a whole other gear once he got up to speed this season. Cullen is a constant scoring threat because he’s always scanning lanes for passes, but he has the quick footwork and lateral mobility to blow by most opponents and put himself into dangerous areas. I think he’s more skilled than Martin, which is why I’m giving him the edge here.

2. Brady Martin, C, 19 (Nashville Predators)

Acquired: Drafted fifth overall, first round in 2025

I get looking at Martin’s numbers and not being totally thrilled, especially given the team passed on a player like Porter Martone. But I still think the Predators got one heck of a player here. You’re not going to find many guys that work and battle as hard as Martin does. And that was proven with how well he played at the World Juniors. He also started the year in the NHL, which was a bit surprising, yet well-earned. Martin’s numbers were nothing to get excited about in the OHL, but the Greyhounds weren’t entirely deep offensively. And he missed some time due to injury. When he was healthy, he was one of the more fascinating players in major junior. I don’t expect him to be a big point producer, and that’s obviously something you’d probably want out of a fifth overall pick. But he impacts the game in so many ways away from the puck that it makes it challenging to dislike him.

3. Ryker Lee, LW, 19 (Michigan State University, NCAA)

Acquired: Drafted 26th overall, first round in 2025

*Ryker Lee (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)*

Lee went from one of the biggest late-season risers in the 2025 NHL Draft to a legitimate college scoring threat. It all started with his tremendous World Junior Summer Showcase appearance and continued with just how effective he was with the puck throughout the season. I’d say his least impactful hockey action was the main World Junior tournament, but he still played a really solid middle-six role while showing flashes of high-end skill. I still think he’s a very raw prospect but one who should be able to become a solid point producer in the NHL. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the NHL by 2027-28.

4. Yegor Surin, C/LW, 19 (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, KHL)

Acquired: Drafted 22nd overall, first round in 2024

The KHL can be an exceptionally hard league to produce in for a junior-aged player. But Surin didn’t flinch, showcasing some of the most skill of any youngster in the league. He finished with 15 goals and 37 points in 57 games to finish second in U-20 scoring. His game has always been so fascinating because he hits like a truck and is absolutely fearless. Surin is a bit more refined these days, but he has figured out how to harness his offensive skill and physical edge to his advantage. Surin will be a tough cookie to contain once he gets to the NHL, which could be as early as next season once his KHL contract comes to an end.

5. Cameron Reid, LHD, 19 (University of Michigan, NCAA)

Acquired: Drafted 21st overall, first round in 2025

Reid surpassed the 50-point mark for the second consecutive year en route to helping Kitchener win the Memorial Cup. He became the captain this season, and it seemed like everyone loved to rally around him at all times. I thought he was a bit underwhelming at the World Juniors, but he played some of his most polished hockey in the second half. Reid clearly knows how to produce, but it’s his high-end skating and decision-making under pressure that make him intriguing. I think he tops out as more of a second-pairing defenseman, but one who’s very comfortable shooting the puck from any angle. Reid has continued to improve his defensive game, and now he’ll have an opportunity to chase a national title at the University of Michigan.

6. Tommy Bleyl, RHD, 18 (Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL)

Acquired: Drafted 31st overall, first round in 2026

Bleyl is a highly skilled two-way defender who came out of nowhere to register 81 points as a QMJHL rookie. He’s exceptionally crafty, skates very well and doesn’t let bigger competition bother him. Bleyl plays a calm, collected game defensively while consistently getting himself into scoring lanes in the other zone. Currently, he needs to get stronger – he gets pushed around too often, especially in front of the net. But his mobility and raw hockey sense are definitely there. I’m interested to see if he can keep the numbers flowing at Michigan State after another year of QMJHL action.

7. Tanner Molendyk, LHD, 21 (Milwaukee Admirals, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 24th overall, first round in 2023

*Tanner Molendyk (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)*

Molendyk dealt with some growing pains in his first year in the AHL, but he seemed to look a bit more comfortable down the stretch. He put up a decent 23 points in Milwaukee, and his ice time improved as the season wore on. The real draws in his game are his mobility and his comfort handling the puck. Molendyk is very competitive and won’t let you get past him easily, even though he’s not the biggest defender. I don’t think there’s anything truly special about Molendyk’s game, but I can see him being a toolsy all-around blueliner who plays a bit deeper in the lineup and gets the job done with whatever task he’s assigned to him. He might not be flashy or the most defensively dominant, but there aren’t many areas in the game he struggles with, and that’s valuable.

8. Felix Nilsson, C, 21 (Rogle BK, SHL)

Acquired: Drafted 43rd overall, second round in 2023

What a year for Nilsson, who had 14 goals and 40 points in his third full SHL campaign. He was the most productive U21 player in Sweden based on both total points and points per game. He’s a crafty player who likes using the middle of the ice but can also create some high-quality passes from the perimeter. It seems like he has added a bit of muscle to his frame over the past couple of years, which was something he really needed to do to excel at the pro level. I think one of the biggest concerns in his game, and why I didn’t rank him higher, is that it feels like his shot leaves a bit to be desired. I don’t know how impactful he’s going to be if he’s not getting chances on the rebound. But he’s willing to get anywhere in the offensive zone to make something happen.

9. Jack Ivankovic, G, 19 (University of Michigan, NCAA)

Acquired: Drafted 58th overall, second round in 2025

*Jack Ivankovic (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)*

Ivankovic is one of the small goalie prospects I truly believe in. He’s only 5-foot-11, but you’ll have a hard time finding a more competitive goalkeeper. He’s been a high-pedigree goaltender for a long time now, and Hockey Canada absolutely loves him. Ivankovic has been their starter at various international events and briefly owned the gig at the World Juniors this past winter. He’ll have an opportunity to go for gold on home ice this year in Edmonton, the site of his dominant Hlinka-Gretzky performance in 2024. He’ll also look to chase after a national title and build upon one of the most impressive rookie goaltending campaigns we’ve seen in recent NCAA memory. I love his glove hand, and I love how much of the net he takes up despite being on the smaller side.

10. Ryan Ufko, RHD, 23 (Nashville Predators)

Acquired: Drafted 115th overall, fourth round in 2021

Ufko had a breakthrough AHL campaign, finishing with 44 points in 52 games. He also spent significant time with the big club, registering an impressive 11 points in 52 games. When the Preds selected Ufko 115th overall in 2021, they were banking on his skill trumping his smaller 5-foot-10 frame. Ufko had a productive three-year run with UMass, so it wasn’t surprising to see him pick things up quickly in the AHL. Ufko’s lack of pure muscle and size will make it tough for him to step up in a big way in Nashville, but I’m still a believer in his puck game and hope he excels sooner rather than later.

Other Prospects: Aiden Fink, RW (21), Hiroki Gojsic, RW (20), Joey Willis, C (21), David Edstrom, C (21), Kalan Lind, LW (21), Reid Schaefer, LW (22), Joakim Kemell, RW (22), Austin Roest, RW (22), Justin Graf, LW (19), Philip Hemmyr, LW (19), Charlie Puglisi, C (18), Viktor Norringer, LW (19), Erik Pahlsson, C (22), Teddy Stiga, C (20), Sutter Muzzatti, C (23), Adam Ingram, C (22), Jakub Floris, RHD (18), Viggo Gustafsson, LHD (19), Daniel Nieminen, LHD (20), Benjamin Cossette Ayotte, RHD (18), Jacob Rombach, LHD (19), Alex Huang, RHD (18), Ethan Haider, G (24), Dmitri Borichev, G (18), Isak Posch, G (24)

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