Via sportslogos.net

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The 32-in-32 Series is an annual event here at DobberProspects! Every day in August, we will bring you a complete breakdown of a team’s draft and insights into their off-season movements thus far. Following this up in September, we will dive into every team’s prospect depth chart with fantasy insights and implications for the upcoming seasons. Check back often because we plan on filling your hockey withdrawal needs all off-season long!

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By: Jesse Severe

Coming into the season the story of the Predators was of transitioning to a new era. They moved on from Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen before the season and seemed primed for a full reset. Instead, Nashville’s post-all-star break hot streak led Barry Trotz to bring in veterans at the deadline to reward the team’s play. The Predators made the playoffs and put a scare into the second-seeded Canucks before fading in round one.

Coming into 2024-25, the Predators have doubled down, winning the offseason with the additions of future Hall-of-Famer Steven Stamkos, 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jonathan Marchessault, and coveted defenseman Brady Skjei. The other franchise-altering decision was to stick with star goalie Juuse Saros, awarding him an eight-year contract that frees up top prospect goalie Yaroslav Askarov to be one of the most coveted trade chips in the league.

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NHL Draft Recap

Round 1, 22nd Overall – Yegor Surin, C

The Nashville Predators love drafting big, tough players, and this year’s first pick was no exception. Surin is a 6-2 forward from Russia. After his selection to the Predators in a press availability, Surin described himself as a two-way center who likes to hit and doesn’t mind fighting.

Surin has played primarily in Russia in the MHL for the past two years. Last year, he was 9th in the league in points with 22 goals and 30 assists, scoring over 42 MHL games. That point tally also ranked second on his team and helped Loko Yaroslav to the league finals. Surin also played minimal minutes in three games of the KHL without any points.

Round 2, 55th Overall – Teddy Stiga, LW

Stiga is another graduate of the US National Team Development Program. Last year, in 61 games, Stiga managed 36 goals and 43 assists. That total landed him behind only the team’s all-time leading goal scorer, Cole Eiserman, and 2025 super-prospect James Hagens in scoring. In the U-18 World Junior Championship this summer, Stiga racked up 11 more points in seven games.

Stiga’s most frequent forward linemates throughout the year were Hagans and third-round Buffalo Sabres selectee Brody Ziemer. Next year, the Boston area native will play for Boston College, a powerhouse of NCAA hockey. Stiga is known for his hockey IQ and takes pride in his tough two-way play.

Round 3, 77th Overall – Viggo Gustafsson, D

Gustafsson was the sole blueliner selected by the Predators in 2024. He’s a steady defensive presence rather than an offensive star. At Sweden’s J20 Nationell level last year, he managed 3 goals and 16 assists over a 41-game campaign. Like many defense-minded defensemen, Gustafsson could be a solid win for the Predators without impacting fantasy teams.

Round 3, 87th Overall – Miguel Marques, RW

Barry Trotz turned to the Western Hockey League for his next selections. Marques is another high-octane forward. He posted 28 goals and 46 assists in 67 games for the Lethbridge Hurricanes. He led his team in scoring and helped Lethbridge earn a playoff berth.

Along with Stiga, Marques was the only other sub-six-foot Preds draftee this year. His stock fell through the season as scouts felt his play was inconsistent. Nonetheless, at this time last year, some had a first-round assessment of the young winger. Marques may end up a value pick for the Predators.

Round 3, 94th Overall – Hiroki Gojsic, RW

Gojsic played for the Kelowna Rockets last year, scoring 21 goals and 29 assists in 68 WHL appearances. He conforms to the Predators’ type, strong and physical at a robust 6-2. His most common linemate was first-round Utah pick Tij Iginla. Gojsic had reasonable peripheral stats and will return to a stacked Kelowna team this year.

Round 4, 99th Overall – Jakub Milota – G

A new apprentice for goalie whisperer Mitch Korn, the Czech Milota played last year with the Cape Breton Eagles. In 33 games, he posted a .905 save percentage. In the offensive environment of the QMJHL, this placed Milota 9th of 38 qualifying goalies. Coincidentally, he was also the 9th goalie selected in this year’s NHL Entry Draft.

Round 4, 127th Overall – Viktor Nörringer – LW

Norringer moved up from Frolunda J18 to J20 Nationell in Sweden last year. He managed 12 points in his first 25 games at his new level. Norringer is another Preds prospect with good size and physicality who can let his talents mature in Sweden in the near future.

Round 7, 213th Overall – Erik Påhlsson – RW

Two years ago, prior to Gustafsson’s arrival at the HC71 J20 squad, Pahlsson was the captain and leading scorer for that same team. Last year, Pahlsson made the jump to the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints, where he scored 72 points in 57 games. While he makes his move to the Minnesota Golden Gophers next year, Nashville fans will wait to see how his game continues to translate. Pahlsson has good size and a balanced game.

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Off-Season Moves

Incoming

Steven Stamkos signed a four-year contract
Jonathan Marchessault signed a five-year contract
Brady Skjei signed a seven-year contract
Scott Wedgewood signed a two-year contract
Vinnie Hinostroza signed a two-year contract
Nick Blankenburg signed a two-year contract
Matt Murray signed a one-year contract
Keifer Bellows signed a one-year contract

Ozzy Wiesblatt acquired in a trade with the San Jose Sharks
Andrew Gibson acquired in a trade with the Detroit Red Wings

Outgoing

Tyson Barrie, UFA
Kevin Lankinen, UFA

Ryan McDonough traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning
Jesse Kiiskinen traded to the Detroit Red Wings
Egor Afanasyev traded to the San Jose Sharks

Re-Signed

Juuse Saros re-signed to an eight-year contract
Alexandre Carrier re-signed to a three-year contract

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Development Camp

Nashville hosted its development camp from July 1-5, 2024, at Centennial Sportsplex. Following five days of work, the program ended with a Future Stars game at Ford Ice Center on July 6. At the camp, Preds coaches impressed upon the young players the need to develop pro habits to succeed in the long term. NHL veteran and heavy hitter Mark Borowiecki was among the coaches giving advice.

All of Nashville’s draftees were displayed at this year’s development camp. In addition, rosters listed top prospects such as Tanner Molendyk (D – 2023 1st round), Matthew Wood (LW – 2023 1st round), Kalan Lind (LW – 2023 2nd round), Kasper Kulonummi (D -2022 3rd round), and Andrew Gibson (D – 2023 2nd round, acquired from the Detroit Red Wings via trade). Yegor Surin impressed with two goals and an assist in the Future Stars game. Some of the young players will return for Predators training camp in September. Others now return to their developmental leagues around the world until the day they can move to the AHL Milwaukee Admirals and eventually the big club.

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Final Thoughts

Nashville’s AHL team, the Milwaukee Admirals, made it to the Calder Cup semifinals in a season that featured a 19-game win streak, the second longest in league history. Many top prospects from that team will be fighting for roster spots on the Predators soon, including Joakim Kemell, Zachary L’Heureux, and Luke Evangelista. Late-year Admirals addition Ryan Ufko is not far behind.

Smashville will come into 2024-25 with a lot of attention for their splashy off-season. While the team that most visibly upgrades in the offseason frequently isn’t quite as improved as it looks on paper, there is a lot to look forward to for the coming season.

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