The Stanley Cup has finally been awarded, which means it's officially NHL Draft season! The Nashville Predators have eight pick in this year's draft – including seven in the first four rounds – and there has been plenty of speculation around whose name will they call Friday at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Nashville Predators Assistant GM & Director of Scouting Jeff Kealty, Chief Amateur Scout Tom Nolan and European Development Coach & Scout Pekka Rinne speak to the media ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft. There's no telling how everything will unfold on draft night, but several experts have made their predictions for the first round. Here's a look at who Nashville is projected to take at No. 22 overall based on various mock drafts: THE ATHLETIC (WHEELER) E.J. Emery, RHD, U.S. NTDP Analysis from Scott Wheeler [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5570815/2024/06/23/nhl-mock-draft-2024-two-rounds-celebrini-levshunov/]: "There are some [Cole] Beaudoin to Ryan O’Reilly parallels, and I could see the Predators being interested in the well-rounded center. This is the range in which Igor Chernyshov and Liam Greentree are expected to go as well, but the Preds have a decent pool on the wing. I believe they’d like to add to their pool on D even after using one of their firsts on Tanner Molendyk last year as well, though, and the idea of Emery’s skating next to Molendyk on a potential pairing (the handedness works, too) seems too good to pass up. Those are two of the better-skating D in the sport." THE ATHLETIC (PRONMAN) Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-City (USHL) Analysis from Corey Pronman [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5573356/2024/06/19/nhl-mock-draft-2024-seven-rounds-pronman/]: "Connelly’s landing spot will be very interesting on draft day, and around this range of the draft when the talent drops off is when it will get tempting for teams. Nashville has rolled the dice before on riskier players like Zach L’Heureux and could go that route again at 22." NHL.COM (KIMELMAN) Adam Jiricek, D, Plzen (CZREP) Analysis from Adam Kimelman [https://www.nhl.com/news/mock-2024-nhl-draft-opinions-vary-after-1st-2-picks]: "The Predators have made no secrets about size on defense being a need and Jiricek supplies that to go along with a high skill set and a right-handed shot. Jiricek, who turns 18 the first night of the draft, only played 19 games in the top league in the Czech Republic because of a knee injury, but is expected to be healthy for the start of next season, when he should be able to again show his strong skating and an offensive game that projects to get better as he adjusts to playing a full season in the top men's league." NHL.COM (MORREALE) Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor (OHL) Analysis from Mike Morreale [https://www.nhl.com/news/mock-2024-nhl-draft-opinions-vary-after-1st-2-picks]: "Greentree (6-3, 215), Windsor's captain, led the Spitfires in goals (36), assists (54), points (90) and power-play goals (11) in 64 games. The 18-year-old left-handed shot can protect the puck, goes hard to the net and is very nimble and creative for a player his size. He had four points (two goals, two assists) in seven games to help Canada win the gold medal at the World Under-18s." DAILY FACEOFF Terik Parascak, RW (Prince George, WHL) Analysis from Steven Ellis [https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2024-nhl-mock-draft-post-draft-lottery-top-24]: "Here’s a chance for the Predators to swing for the fences. Parascak was one of the WHL’s biggest surprises this year, going from AAA last year to a 105-point producer as a rookie in Prince George. Parascak had some excellent linemates, no doubt, but he’s an excellent dual threat as a shooter and a passer, and the results speak for themselves. I think they’d take a center if Boisvert or Hage were still available, but if not, they’d be betting on the upside here." SPORTSNET Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) Analysis from Sam Cosentino [https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/mock-draft-1-0-predicting-where-they-go-after-the-sharks-take-celebrini/]: "If he can find consistency, Boisvert can impact the game in a number of ways. He’s long and lean, and tough as nails. His skill set includes a shot that’s heavy and hard and hands to make plays in tight."
