Nashville Predators Select Eight Players in 2026 NHL Draft

The Nashville Predators selected eight players in the 2026 NHL Draft, including forward Wyatt Cullen with the 10th overall pick.

The team currently stands 10th in the Western Conference with a 38-34 record, on a L2 streak.

What happened in the draft?

The Predators made their first selection on Friday, choosing Cullen, a 17-year-old winger from the USA Hockey's National Team Development Program.

Cullen recorded 45 points in 40 games with the NTDP in 2025-26, finishing tied for fourth on the U-18 squad in assists and sixth in points.

Who are the key players selected?

The team then moved up to No. 31 overall to select defenseman Tommy Bleyl, trading the No. 42 and No. 57 overall picks to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Bleyl, 18, was named the CHL's Rookie of the Year after establishing a QMJHL record for points by a first-year defenseman with 81 points in 63 games.

What do the selections mean for the team?

Assistant General Manager/Director of Scouting Jeff Kealty said the team is excited to add Cullen and Bleyl to the organization, citing their high ceiling and potential.

The Predators also selected goaltender Dmitri Borichev in the third round, adding depth to their roster.

The team's selections aim to strengthen their lineup and improve their standing in the Western Conference.

And with the draft complete, the Predators will look to integrate their new players into the team.

But for now, the focus is on developing the young talent and preparing for the upcoming season.

So the Predators will head into the new season with a renewed sense of optimism and a revamped roster.