
After last night's draft lottery, the Nashville Predators remain at #15 for the upcoming draft and will face the generational talent of Connor Bedard in the Central Division.
The Nashville Predators' draft picture became more clear after last night's draft lottery. The Predators entered the draft lottery with the fifteenth overall pick with the narrowest of chances to move up ten spots to pick five.
That didn't happen.
After the lottery, the Predators remain with the fifteenth overall pick for the draft in Nashville in June. In a draft year with plenty of depth beyond Connor Bedard, there are a handful of interesting options for the Preds at fifteen. Of course, David Poile and incoming GM Barry Trotz also have plenty of draft capital to put together a tempting package to move up if there is a specific player they may want to target earlier.
Where the Predators landed after the draft lottery isn't bad, but what is not ideal for Nashville is who won the draft lottery. The Chicago Blackhawks won the number one pick which will - barring some major shocking decision making - be used to draft Connor Bedard. The top draft pick in years will now be on a Central Division rival's roster. With a generational talent and plenty of cap space to bring in a strong supporting cast, the Predators will likely face some tough future challenges from the Blackhawks.

How the Blackhawks went about securing their best chances for Bedard and how the Predators are facing their "reset" are two very different paths. What these two Central Division teams do next will help decide how this rivalry plays out in upcoming seasons.
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