Predators To Pick 15th As Team Hosts NHL Draft For Second Time

The Nashville Predators had a 2.1 percent chance of selecting anywhere but 15th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft.

So it came as no surprise when that’s exactly where the lottery balls placed them during the NHL draft lottery on Monday night. It’ll be the 13th time the Predators have a pick inside the top 15 and the first since they drafted goalie Yaroslav Askarov 11th overall in 2020.

The only other time the Predators drafted 15th, the pick netted them forward Alexander Radulov in the 2004 draft. The Russian winger 44 goals and 95 points in 145 games over two seasons before bolting to the KHL after the 2007-08 season.

The Predators also own the Edmonton Oilers’ first-round pick. That selection will be decided based on where the Oilers finish in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They’re currently tied 1-1 with the Vegas Golden Knights in their best-of-seven second round series.

Round 1 of the 2023 NHL Draft will take place on Wednesday, June 28 at 7 p.m. ET at Bridgestone Arena. The Chicago Blackhawks have the No. 1 overall pick, followed by the Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks and Montreal Canadiens rounding out the top five.

Bill Daly announces the @NHLBlackhawks will get the 1st overall pick of the 2023 #NHLDraft‼️ pic.twitter.com/CC6j4ySzgh

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 9, 2023

The full draft order for picks 1-16 is below:

1. Chicago Blackhawks
2. Anaheim Ducks
3. Columbus Blue Jackets
4. San Jose Sharks
5. Montreal Canadiens
6. Arizona Coyotes
7. Philadelphia Flyers
8. Washington Capitals
9. Detroit Red Wings
10. St. Louis Blues
11. Vancouver Canucks
12. Arizona Coyotes (from Ottawa)*
13. Buffalo Sabres
14. Pittsburgh Penguins
15. Nashville Predators
16. Calgary Flames

Picks No. 17 through 32 will be contingent upon the results of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Follow Michael Gallagher on Twitter @MGsports_