David Poile, Barry Trotz Preview 2023 NHL Draft

The Nashville Predators' year-long scouting process will culminate this week at the 2023 NHL Draft, held on June 28-29 at Bridgestone Arena. But for General Manager/President of Hockey Operations David Poile and incoming GM Barry Trotz, the work is far from over.

"We've been meeting since early [Monday] morning, and we'll continue to do that up until about five minutes before the draft," Poile said with a chuckle. "It's a huge and important draft for us this year. It's going to be really exciting for not only us, but the hockey world. The fact that we've got 13 picks this year, which is the most we've ever had, and the fact that we have two picks in the first round, as Barry said, is part of the progression of what we started to do at the trading deadline in terms of giving younger players opportunities, not only next year for the Predators but in Milwaukee. We're going to be pushing along these players as quickly as possible when they're ready to play."

Nashville has two first-round picks - at No. 15 and No. 24 - and a league-high 13 picks overall. Given the depth of this year's class, Poile and Trotz are content with where they stand in the draft order.

"This is one of the best drafts, I think, in history," Poile said. "In the top three rounds we've got seven picks. We're in really good shape. You never know where they're going to trade out or trade up or what have you, but we've got the ammunition to do it either way. So that's when we feel like we're in a good comfort zone."

As Poile put it, the Preds have the ammunition. So, theoretically, what would it take for them to trade up in the draft order?

"You have to have the right dance partner, if you will," Trotz said. "Obviously, everybody's been trying to get into that top four. I think it's reasonable that all four of those teams will just stay put. There's a pretty good comfort level for them. So as I said, I've been trying to make them uncomfortable, but at this point, there hasn't been any of those trades out there. We've still got a few days here that things can change. But we've been trying. We've got lots of capital and we have to be smart about it as well, to use it effectively. You don't want to do one thing and then try to fix a bunch of holes if you go too far."

As far as being "smart" with their draft capital, Poile stressed that the organization values quality over quantity, as well as future projections, when making decisions.

"I think we're looking at this as a little bit more of a futures draft than, say, the NFL, where guys can come in right away," Poile said. "We do these projections three or four years out, and that's sort of what we're looking at: What we think the maturity of the current players are that we have on our team, in the locker room or are drafted. Do they fit our projections? Hopefully, we get most of them right."

The 2023 NHL Draft class has been celebrated for its depth, particularly at the forward position. Still, Poile and Trotz have committed to selecting the best player available at each draft slot, regardless of position.

"If it's a forward versus a defenseman, we're going to take the best player, and hopefully that also fits into it down the road," Poile said. "Having said that, we're drafting assets, and if the forward is better than the defenseman, if that's what we wanted, for example, then that's up to Barry to be able to turn that asset or one of our current assets into maybe a different ask. So just give us assets, and we'll figure it out."

After the draft, of course, comes free agency. The free-agent market opens for business on July 1, which is also Trotz's first official day as GM. Don't expect the Preds to be a big player in free agency this offseason, though, as Trotz wants to avoid signing players to large contracts to maintain cap flexibility.

"I think we're just looking to keep discipline on our window," Trotz said. "For the most part, we're looking for cultural pieces. We're looking more short term - people that can help us win, but at the same time, leaving enough room for when our young guys are ready… I want to be flexible and not get tied up into long term contracts for the number of young players that we have."

This is a momentous draft for the Predators organization for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that they get to play host to the rest of the hockey world during one of the biggest weeks of the year. It will certainly be a memorable experience for Trotz as he sits at the draft table for the first time, and he hopes it will be the start of something special for the franchise.

"I think it is pivotal for all of us because of the assets and the way the table has been set by David," Trotz said. "It's great. The whole world is looking. We have players from all over the world. The game is growing down South… We're hoping to be one of those franchises that is a destination, a place where we want to win and the place where we want to live."