The Nashville Predators have an impressive prospect pool and it is only going to get better with the amount of draft picks the team possesses. While some of the young players are now looking to break into the NHL, others still have some time before we’ll see them suit up for the Predators.
There isn’t a ton of space currently on the Predators as the team is in win-now mode, but these three prospects off to hot starts this season are doing well so far and should have a place in Nashville in the very near future.
Zachary L’Heureux
Zachary L’Heureux is the perfect example for the Predators to show the type of prospect that is pushing for an everyday role in the NHL already. His progression wasn’t expected to be so quick as he only played his rookie season in the AHL in 2023-24.
L’Heureux performed very well and impressed the most in the AHL playoffs for the Milwaukee Admirals. After scoring 19 goals and 48 points in 66 games to go along with 197 penalty minutes, the power forward scored 10 goals and 15 points in 15 playoff games.
He nearly made the Predators out of training camp and started the season in the AHL off with three goals and five points in four games. L’Heureux quickly got the callup and was placed on the fourth line of the Predators to help inject some life into a then winless team. He recorded his first NHL point (an assist) in his third game and has now played four games in the NHL.
Related: Zachary L’Heureux is Here to Stay in Nashville
While his talent would be wasted if he only averages 10 minutes a game for the entire season, he is gaining valuable experience in the top league in the world and is making his mark with 17 hits so far. Whether L’Heureux is going to eventually be sent back down to play top minutes in the AHL again this season or Nashville likes him so much he’s sticking around and playing out his rookie season, his great play continues to attract eyes to him and that’s a great thing for the future of the Predators.
David Edstrom
The Predators were fortunate enough to bring in a former first round pick in David Edstrom in a deal with the San Jose Sharks this past off-season. He isn’t NHL-ready just yet, but is impressing in another professional league overseas.
Though drafted in 2023, this is already Edstrom’s third season playing in the SHL. After seven goals and 19 points in 44 games last season, the young center is already at three goals and 10 points in just 11 games. He is doing this at 19 years old and while the Predators have a ton of prospects that can play on the wing, Edstrom very well may be the best option soon at center when he makes his way over.
Tanner Molendyk
Like L’Heureux, Tanner Molendyk nearly made the Predators out of training camp. The difference being that Molendyk had to be returned to junior for another season and L’Heureux was already eligible to play pro hockey.
Molendyk will be in Nashville soon enough as the 19-year-old has already shown a strong ability to hang with NHL players and compete. He is coming off a season in which he scored 10 goals and recorded 56 points in 50 games for the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL. Playing for the same team again this season, the defenseman is already up to three goals and nine points in seven games.
Molendyk belongs at a higher level and will be a game-changer for the Predators. The former first-round pick in 2023 may very well be able to step right into the NHL next season, even with the logjam on the back-end.
The Predators are in great shape heading into the future. The veterans should soon pass the torch to the talented group of high-end prospects developing well and breaking into the NHL.
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