The Predators on Friday trimmed their roster to 25 players by reassigning a pair of first-round draft picks to Milwaukee of the American Hockey League.

Forward Zach L’Heureux, the No. 27 overall selection in the 2021 draft, and defenseman Tanner Molendyk, the No. 24 selection in 2023, will each start the 2025-26 season with Nashville’s top minor league affiliate.

Nashville must reduce its roster to 23 by Oct. 6, three days before the Preds open the regular season against Columbus at Bridgestone Arena.

One of the future roster subtractions is expected to be defenseman Nicolas Hague, who will likely begin the season on injured reserve. He suffered an upper body injury Sept. 24, one that should sideline him for three to five more weeks.

The decision to send L’Heureux to Milwaukee is a surprise, as the 22-year-old played 62 games for the Preds as a rookie last season, totaling 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) and 63 penalty minutes in an energy-line role.

But L’Heureux may need some time in Milwaukee to regain his top form, as he missed the early portion of training camp — and a pair of preseason games — due to an undisclosed injury.

Among the young players still battling for a roster spot are center Brady Martin (the No. 5 overall selection in the 2025 draft), forward Joakim Kemell (the No. 17 overall pick in 2022), forward Matthew Wood (the No. 15 overall pick in 2023) and forward Ozzy Wiesblatt (the 31st overall pick in 2020, chosen by San Jose).

Wood is listed as week to week with a lower body injury suffered Sept. 26 in the Preds’ intrasquad scrimmage.

The 18-year-old Martin is ineligible for Milwaukee. So if the Preds reassign him, it would have to be to his Soo Greyhounds junior team in the Ontario Hockey League. He could play up to nine games on the NHL level this season without burning the first year of his NHL entry contract.

Molendyk, 20, missed rookie camp and the first week of training camp with a lower body injury, which lessened his chances of making the Predators’ opening night roster this season.

Molendyk is arguably the top prospect in the organization, however, after totaling 47 points (nine goals, 38 assists) in the Western Hockey League.

So it seems likely Molendyk will see some games on the NHL level this season.