Nashville, Tenn. (June 26, 2026) – The Nashville Predators selected forward Wyatt Cullen (10th overall)and defenseman Tommy Bleyl (31st overall) in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft – hosted in Buffalo, New York, at KeyBank Center – on Friday.
“To get a guy like Wyatt Cullen… He’s got good skill, and he’s a good skater, which I think is something that excites me,” Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager Chris MacFarland said. “It looks like he’s scratching the surface of what he can be. He’s one of the youngest players in this draft, and I’m excited about where he’s going and what his path may look like over the next year or two. Then, Jeff [Kealty] and his guys were really high on Tommy [Bleyl]... [We added] another guy who is a really goodskater, who could maybe add a dynamic offensive component from the back end, which I think is really important. It’s been a good night.”
Cullen, 17 (9/8/08), was the No. 13-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft. The 6-foot-1, 176-pound winger recorded 45 points (16g-29a) in 40 games with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program in 2025-26, finishing tied for fourth on the U-18 squad in assists and sixth in points. The previous campaign, Cullen shared the lead on the NTDP’s U-17 team in assists with 25 en route to posting 31 points (6g-25a) in 55 appearances. He is committed to play collegiate hockey at the University of Minnesota.
“In his case, we feel there’s an extremely high ceiling with him, and that’s always what we’re trying to target,” Predators Assistant General Manager/Director of Scouting Jeff Kealty said. “Certainly an exciting player to add to the organization. He’s a guy who we talked a lot about and anticipated that he could be there [at No. 10 overall]. Going into tonight, we knew we’d be pleased if he was the guy we ended up with.”
The Moorhead, Minnesota, native has represented the United States at the international stage multipletimes, most recently at the 2026 U-18 World Championship, where he was named to the tournament’s All-Star Team after leading the Americans in points with nine (3g-6a).
Cullen’s father, Matt Cullen, is a three-time Stanley Cup champion (2006, 2016 and 2017) who played two seasons for the Predators from 2013-15. Born into a family of professional hockey players, Cullen’s uncle, Mark; great-uncle, John; great-great-uncles Ray and Brian; and great-grandfather, Barry, all played in the NHL.
The Predators moved up to No. 31 overall to select Bleyl, trading the No. 42 overall and No. 57 overall picks in the 2026 NHL Draft to the Carolina Hurricanes in return.
Bleyl, 18 (12/1/07), was named the CHL’s Rookie of the Year after establishing a QMJHL record for points by a first-year defenseman with 81 (13g-68a) in 63 games during the 2025-26 season for the Moncton Wildcats; his 68 assists were the highest in a season by a rookie CHL blueliner in the 21st century. The 6-foot, 165-pound defenseman was additionally named the QMJHL’s Defenseman of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year. Bleyl helped lead Moncton to the league’s championship series, pacingthe QMJHL in assists (22) and finishing third in points (28) in the postseason. He is committed to play collegiate hockey at Michigan State University beginning in 2027-28.
“He’s another guy who grew a bit – not quite like Cullen – as the year went on,” Kealty said. “The foundation that he has with his skating – it’s the agility and the escape ability, probably even more so than the flat speed. He’s got great edges. In the highlights you see, it’s him carrying the puck up the ice and dodging checkers. He’s never going to be the biggest guy, but that being said, defensively he’s very sound as well with his positioning and his stick. He’s a talented but efficient player.”
A native of Schenectady, New York, Bleyl skated for the United States at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Rounds 2-7 of the 2026 NHL Draft will be held Saturday morning beginning at 10 a.m. CT with the Predators holding eight more selections: No. 70 (third round), No. 106 (fourth round), No. 118 (fourth round), No. 138 (fifth round), No. 148 (fifth round), No. 160 (fifth round), No. 179 (sixth round) and No. 202 (seventh round).
NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING REPORT ON CULLEN
“A high IQ player who reads the game very well, makes quick, smart decisions under pressure and consistently positions himself effectively in all three zones. An excellent skater with good balance and agility, plays with poise in tight areas. Makes high-percentage plays that drive possession and create scoring chances. His competitiveness, work ethic, and commitment to two-way play stand out shift in and shift out.”
NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING REPORT ON BLEYL
“His overall skating could be in the top of his draft class. He has a smooth, effortless stride and generates speed that he uses to his advantage. He’s also very mobile with his back stride making him hard to beat 1-on-1. He runs the first power play unit of a strong Moncton squad. He excels in all situations of the game, impacts the game as a power-play quarterback but also as an ultra-efficient puck mover from the back end. His vision, puck skill and poise are impressive. He defends well and is amongst the best plus-minus players in the entire league. Produces offense with a mature style, excellent risk and reward choices. Lots to like about the trajectory that this prospect is going towards.”
Become Smashville Loyal today! Full, Half and Quarter Season Ticket plans are available for the 2026-27 Nashville Predators season presented by Regions Bank. For more information, please call 615-770-7800, visit NashvillePredators.com or text PREDS to 833-453-2488 to begin receiving ticket offers directly to your phone.
