On Saturday, the Nashville Predators added seven prospects to the organization in rounds two through seven of the 2024 NHL Draft.
With his first pick of the second round, Barry Trotz added forward Teddy Stiga from the U.S. National Team Development Program. Stiga, who’s headed to Boston College next season, scored 36 goals and 79 points in 61 games last season then added six goals and 11 points in seven games at the U18 World Junior Championship (WJC). Stiga is skilled with the puck and constantly moves his feet; he’s an extremely intelligent playmaker too, and the college hockey route will help him add more resiliency to his attack.
The Predators then traded the 59th overall pick to Philadelphia for the 77th overall pick and a 2025 third-round pick. At 77 overall, Nashville selected Swedish defender Viggo Gustafsson. Gustafsson, who was born just five days shy of being eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft, scored three goals and 19 points in 41 games for HV71 in the J20 Nationell last year. He’s a modern shut-down defender, who is confident in his gap control and stickwork in his end. He’ll need some confidence and more reps to add value in transition.
Later in the third round, the Predators added two WHL forwards: Miguel Marques from the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Hiroki Gojsic from the Kelowna Rockets. Marques oozes puck skills and can score in a variety of ways; he scored 28 goals and 74 points in 67 games this year. His skating and processing speed will need to pick up to make the best of his NHL future. Gojsic is a big-bodied winger who can use his size to his advantage. He’s a good shooter but doesn’t quite have the footspeed to make a major offensive impact at the pro level right now.
In the fourth round, Nashville added goalie Jakub Milota and winger Viktor Nörringer after moving back from 119th to 127th overall. Milota was a QMJHL rookie this year, playing for the Cape Breton Eagles; he posted a 0.905 save percentage in 33 games. Nörringer is also one of the younger players in this draft class but stands at 6’3″ and nearly 200 pounds. He dominated the U18 circuit in Sweden before graduating to Frölunda’s U20 club, where he scored eight goals and 12 points in 25 games this season.
With their final pick of the 2024 NHL Draft, the Nashville Predators took Swedish winger Erik Påhlsson. The 6’1″ forward scored 28 goals and 72 points in 57 games for the Dubuque Fighting Saints this year. He’s got plenty of subtle detail to his game and will use his time at the University of Minnesota to refine his puck skills.
