Despite losing out on what would have been their first-ever No. 1 overall pick, falling to No. 5 during the NHL’s draft lottery on May 6, the Nashville Predators still have a top-five pick for the first time since 2013.
Now general manager Barry Trotz has a crucial decision to make as he looks to stock Nashville’s prospect pool with a top player.
“Even moving back a couple spots to No. 5, we’re going to get a good player. I don’t have any doubt about that,” Trotz said on May 6.
The consensus top two prospects, defenseman Matthew Schaefer and forward Michael Misa, likely will go to the New York Islanders (No. 1) and San Jose Sharks (No. 2), after which the Chicago Blackhawks and Utah Mammoth (formerly the Utah Hockey Club) will make their picks of the next best group, including top NCAA prospect James Hagens.
But who could be available for the Predators at No. 5? Here are five possibilities.
RW Porter Martone (Brampton Steelheads)
Martone’s size and skill combination would be hard to pass up. At 6-foot-3 and 207 pounds, Martone led Brampton with 37 goals and 61 assists, finishing seventh in scoring in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). His shot and puck skills will carry him to the NHL level, though he will have to improve his skating and speed to gain a real foothold in the top six.
Martone has been ranked as high as No. 3 and as low as No. 6 on Elite Prospects, a premier scouting and draft website.
C Caleb Desnoyers (Moncton Wildcats)
The top prospect out of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), Desnoyers led Moncton with 35 goals and 49 assists in the regular season. He has 30 points in 16 postseason games as Moncton plays Rimouski for the Gilles-Courteau Trophy.
Desnoyers’ vision and use of space in the offensive zone are his elite skills. He has the frame to succeed in the NHL at 6-2 and 172 pounds, but will need to bulk up to prepare for NHL-quality defenders. He has been ranked as high as No. 3 and as low as No. 22.
C Roger McQueen (Brandon Wheat Kings)
One of the most divisive prospects in this class is McQueen, a 6-5, 192-pound center for the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He was among the top prospects in summer 2024, but suffered an injury early in the season, and played only 17 games, scoring 10 goals and 10 assists.
The lack of playing time left scouts unable to answer questions about his skill as a top center. He could project as a No. 1 or No. 2 center if his development hits just right. He also could end up a bottom-six, checking forward with inconsistent offensive contribution.
McQueen has been ranked as high as No. 5 and as low as No. 12.
LW Victor Eklund (Djurgårdens IF)
Two of the top European forward prospects both play for Djurgårdens IF in Sweden. The first is Victor Eklund, a speedy winger with plenty of offensive skill. His game resembles that of former Predators forward Viktor Arvidsson — fast, physical, aggressive and really fun to watch.
Eklund scored 19 goals and 12 assists in 41 games for Djurgårdens and scored two goals and four assists in six games at the World Junior Championships for Sweden. He has been ranked as high as No. 4 and as low as No. 9.
C Anton Frondell (Djurgårdens IF)
Eklund’s teammate is Anton Frondell, a center prospect with a strong defensive game and good vision. Scouts seem mixed on his projection — he has the skills to become a top-flight two-way center, but the offensive side of his game needs work. He scored 11 goals and 14 assists in 29 games after dealing with a knee injury early in the season.
Frondell is ranked as high as No. 2 and as low as No. 18.
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex atjdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.