Predators acquire Edstrom from Rangers for Rizzo, draft pick

Add another to the list of trades involving NHL players at the 2026 NHL Draft, as the Nashville Predators have made another addition to their stable of bottom six forwards since the hiring of Chris MacFarland as president of hockey operations.

The Predators landed six-foot-seven center Adam Edstrom from the New York Rangers in exchange for 25-year-old restricted free agent forward Massimo Rizzo and the No. 148 overall pick in the fifth round of day two of the 2026 NHL Draft.

MacFarland, who Nashville hired to replace Barry Trotz after offering him an elevated role from his general manager title with the Colorado Avalanche, has focus heavily on reshaping the bottom of the forward group.

He did that initially with two separate trades with his former club, as he landed Ross Colton from the Avalanche before adding center Jack Drury earlier this week.

Colton adds size and scoring punch; Drury brings excellent defensive acumen and face-off ability, and now Edstrom joins the mix to provide size and physicality.

The Swede, a sixth-round selection by the Rangers, debuted in New York in the 2023-24 season, and he has 10 goals and 6 assists for 16 points in 97 career games played. Edstrom has averaged less than 10 minutes of time on ice per game in each of his three seasons.

Edstrom is entering the second season of a two-year contract that carries a salary cap hit of $975,000. He will be a restricted free agent upon expiry.

Rizzo has been a part of several different organizations during his short career. The University of Denver product had 22 points in 29 games with the Reading Royals of the ECHL this year to go with 5 points in 14 AAHL games split between the Providence Bruins and Milwaukee Admirals.

According to Vince Mercagliano of The Athletic, the Rangers do not plan to extend a qualifying offer to Rizzo, which means he will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.