Nashville Predators Draft Viggo Gustafsson at No. 77

The Predators take their first defenseman of the draft in the third round.

The Nashville Predators drafted Viggo Gustafsson with their first pick in the third round at number 77.

This is the first defenseman the team selected in the 2024 draft and the Swede is listed as 6'2, 194 lbs. This pick helps replenish the defensive prospect pool as Spencer Stastney and Marc Del Gaizo are graduating to the NHL.

The Predators are an organization known to hit on defense in the draft, so Gustafsson is someone to keep an eye on in the coming years. He is described as a low-risk defender and there is nothing wrong with this type of player. He won't be flashy and he will get the job done.

Gustafsson is rarely ever caught out of position and can easily be paired with someone less focused on his own end. He is projected to be a 6th/7th defender in the NHL and is a good d-man to match up against certain opposing players to shut them down. He will kill penalties and doesn't play on the power play. He competes well, is reliable, and is an above average skater who can take away ice quickly.