The 2023 NHL draft is slowly chugging along, as the Nashville Predators have just used the Edmonton Oilers’ first-round selection.
Fun fact, this is the first draft the Oilers haven’t had a first-rounder since the 2006 draft, as they moved that pick to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Dwayne Roloson. That’s a trade they most certainly won.
This time, the Oilers traded their first-round pick (24th overall), a 2024 fourth-round pick, prospect Reid Schaefer (their 2022 first-round selection) and Tyson Barrie to the Nashville Predators for Mattias Ekholm and a 2024 sixth-rounder. Given the way the team played after the trade and the presence that Ekholm has had on the blueline, the deal certainly looks like a win for Edmonton.
With the draft pick that they received from the Oilers, the Nashville Predators selected Tanner Molendyk from the Saskatoon Blades.
With the 24th pick in the 2023 #NHLDraft, the Preds have selected…
Tanner Molendyk! pic.twitter.com/ElohAzB7MZ
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) June 29, 2023
NHL DRAFT CONTENT PRESENTED BY BETWAY
During the 2022-23 season, the left-shot defenceman had nine goals and 37 points in 67 games. The 18-year-old ranked anywhere from 27th (FloHockey) to 83rd (HPR) from his Elite Prospects Site. His consolidated ranking was 40th.
“Moldenyk is a strong two-way defenseman despite not being the biggest defender. This is because of his excellent skating ability and strong work ethic. Molendyk’s edge work is very good. He closes on checks like a pro and is able to evade pressure at a high level. His top speed is good, not great, but he can lead a rush. Molendyk has strong offensive instincts and skills and can make plays from off the blue line and on the move. His size will be an issue as a defenseman in the NHL, but he plays hard and doesn’t shy from physical play”
As for the Oilers, their first pick in the draft will be the 56th overall, which will come on Thursday. Liam Horrobin and I covered a few players who could be selected with that pick. All 11 articles are linked below…
- With the No. 56 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Edmonton Oilers could select… Felix Unger Sörum?
- With the No. 56 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Edmonton Oilers could select… Caden Price?
- With the No. 56 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Edmonton Oilers could select… Hunter Brzustewicz?
- With the No. 56 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Edmonton Oilers could select… Scott Ratzlaff?
- With the No. 56 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Edmonton Oilers could select… Carey Terrance?
- With the No. 56 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Edmonton Oilers could select… Luca Cagnoni?
- With the No. 56 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Edmonton Oilers could select… Jacob Fowler?
- With the No. 56 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Edmonton Oilers could select… Alex Čiernik?
- With the No. 56 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Edmonton Oilers could select… Lukas Dragicevic
- With the No. 56 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Edmonton Oilers could select… Koehn Ziemmer?
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