The 2023 second-round pick heads to Nashville following a breakout Swedish campaign. The dynamic playmaker bolsters a youth movement featuring seven signed prospects from his draft class.
About a month out from the start of development camp, the Nashville Predators are ready to move one of their prospects into their system.
Friday, the Predators signed 2023 second-rounder Felix Nilsson to a 3-year, entry-level contract. The center has been playing in Sweden for the last three seasons since being selected.
Splitting time between Sweden's junior league and the Swedish Hockey League during his draft year, Nilsson recorded 41 points in 36 games in junior play and played 18 games in professionals.
This past season, Nilsson played 52 games with Rogle BK, recording 40 points off of 14 goals and 26 assists. In the playoffs, he had six points (two goals and four assists) in 17 games.
Rögle BK lost to Skellefteå AIK in five games in the SHL Finals. It was Rögle BK's second appearance in league finals in the last three seasons.
Internationally, Nilsson represented Sweden at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, recording six points (one goal and five assists) in seven games.
Of the 11 players selected by the Predators in the 2023 NHL Draft, seven have signed ELCs: Matthew Wood (first rounder), Tanner Molendyk (first rounder), Nilsson, Kalan Lind (second rounder), Joey Willis (fourth rounder), Austin Roest (sixth rounder) and Aiden Fink (seventh rounder).
Jesse Kiiskinen (third rounder) was traded to the Detroit Red Wings for defenseman Andrew Gibson in June 2024. Dyan MacKinnon (third rounder) attended the Boston Bruins rookie camp last summer.
Juha Jatkola (fourth rounder) has been in Finland for the last three seasons and has yet to be offered a ELC. Sutter Muzzatti (fifth rounder) finished up his fourth college season with Notre Dame and could be offered a ELC this offseason.