The Nashville Predators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators] have a chance to place three major building blocks for the future on Friday, owning three first-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft. While the Predators drew the short end of the stick in May's lottery, drawing the fifth pick, they still own the 23rd and 26th overall picks, thanks to a pair of trades from 2023 and 2024. This is the most picks the Predators have had in the first round in franchise history. The Philadelphia Flyers are the only team with three first-round picks in this year's draft. MORE: Trotz, Predators prepared to get 'a really good player' at NHL Draft [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/trotz-predators-prepared-to-get-a-really-good-player-at-nhl-draft] MORE: Predators hire former Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson as assistant [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/predators-hire-former-blackhawks-head-coach-luke-richardson-as-assistant] MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft pick: 2017-2021 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/players/analyzing-every-nashville-predators-first-round-nhl-draft-pick-2017-2021] With so much top-end talent in this year's draft, it's anyone's guess as to where players will be drafted. However, no matter who the Predators end up selecting, they believe they're getting a star. “I think we're going to get a really good player [at fifth overall],” General Manager Barry Trotz said during a press conference on Tuesday [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/trotz-predators-prepared-to-get-a-really-good-player-at-nhl-draft]. “We’re fortunate that there are a number of good centers in this Draft." Swedish center Anton Frondell, [https://thehockeynews.com/news/2025-nhl-draft-top-shooters-playmakers-motors-and-more] measuring 6-foot-0-inch and 196 pounds, is who many experts believe the Predators will pick with their fifth overall pick. With two strong centers on their top two lines, Nashville is looking to expand that depth down the middle into the bottom six. Frondell has just finished his second season with Djurgårdens IF in the HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden's second-highest professional hockey league. He had 25 points in 29 games and seven points in 16 playoff games. Frondell could also be used as a weapon on the power play, as he has showcased his powerful, one-time shot on many occasions. At the NHL Combine, Frondell had the highest VO2 max score [https://media.nhl.com/site/vasset/public/attachments/2025/06/19060/2025ScoutingCombine_FitnessTestingResults_060725_FINAL.pdf], which measures the amount of oxygen utilized during a high-intensity workout. The prospect pedals on a stationary bike while a face mask measures how well their body is converting oxygen into energy. Frondell finished with a score of 64.7. [https://media.nhl.com/site/vasset/public/attachments/2025/06/19060/2025ScoutingCombine_FitnessTestingResults_060725_FINAL.pdf] He also had the second-highest score (16.8) in the Peak Power Output test, [https://media.nhl.com/site/vasset/public/attachments/2025/06/19060/2025ScoutingCombine_FitnessTestingResults_060725_FINAL.pdf] which is measured similarly to the VO2 Max test on a stationary bike. Boston College center James Hagens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/players/3-nhl-draft-prospects-predators-could-select-with-fifth-overall-pick] and Brandon Wheat Kings center Roger McQueen [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/players/3-nhl-draft-prospects-predators-could-select-with-fifth-overall-pick]are two other names that have been thrown around as well. Hagens is expected to go in the top three [https://thehockeynews.com/news/2025-nhl-draft-top-shooters-playmakers-motors-and-more]following his stellar season with the Eagles, where he scored 37 points in 37 games and helped the United States win the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. He is also from Hauppauge, New York, which is located on Long Island, so there is a slim chance that the New York Islanders could select a hometown kid with the No. 1 overall pick. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/tsn-s-bob-mackenzie-final-nhl-draft-rankings-matthew-schaefer-the-unanimous-no-1-pick] If Hagens is still available by the time the fifth pick rolls around, it's likely the Predators will pick him up. Trotz expressed interest in the center on Tuesday, saying that he was "right in our wheelhouse." "He's [Hagens] a good example of a player that could go as high as two or three, but he's a tremendous player," Trotz said. " Opposite to Hagens, McQueen could make the jump from a top 12 prospect to the top 5. With the Wheat Kings, he had 20 points in 17 games, 11 coming in the first eight games of the season, but suffered an injury that sidelined him for the bulk of the season. McQueen's injury has him lower in the projections, but the Predators could get a steal by drafting him at fifth. He was also asked about his health and said that he "feels 100%" going into the draft. "It was obviously huge to be able to get the sign," McQueen told NHL.com [https://www.nhl.com/news/roger-mcqueen-feels-100-percent-at-scouting-combine-ahead-of-2025-nhl-draft]. "I kind of knew, just because, like, I've been pain-free for a while now. So, I kind of knew I was going to be cleared. Obviously, especially for me, a hurt guy, not playing all year, (it’s important) just to see that you're healthy. The combined height, measuring 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 198 pounds, McQueen had a 112.8-inch horizontal jump and a 77.5-inch (6.45 feet) wingspan at the combine [https://media.nhl.com/site/vasset/public/attachments/2025/06/19060/2025ScoutingCombine_FitnessTestingResults_060725_FINAL.pdf]. While he may need to put on a bit more muscle, McQueen's 6-foot-5-inch build is a huge selling point and could be just what the Predators are looking for down the middle. There is also the possibility that Nashville could trade the fifth overall pick. Trotz said on Tuesday that it'd be something he'd be open to if the right situation emerged. According to Elliotte Friedman [https://x.com/NHLRumourReport/status/1938235223679914135], the New York Islanders are looking for another "high draft pick," opening the door for Nashville to trade. "If someone needs picks and wants to move past a really good player, I'm all in for that," Trotz said. "I'll never turn my nose up at any good player."
