“I feel very comfortable”: Barry Trotz unfazed after Nashville Predators fall to No. 5 in 2025 NHL Draft lottery

The Nashville Predators won't be making franchise history with a No. 1 pick this season. Instead, they will pick fifth overall— down from their pre-lottery ranking of third— following a shake-up in the NHL Draft lottery on May 5. The New York Islanders jumped to the top from No. 10, and the Utah Hockey Club moved ten spots to No. 4, bumping Nashville down the list. For general manager Barry Trotz, though, the news wasn't completely astonishing. “When you're up against the field, in terms of the odds, there was a likelihood that that could happen,” he said. “I was hoping it didn't. But at the same time, I feel very comfortable, we're still going to get a good player to add to our pool.”Although the Nashville Predators were denied top choices such as Michael Misa and Matthew Schaefer, the scouting staff of the team is poised to capitalize on their prized pick. This is Nashville's first top-five pick in more than a decade — the previous one being in 2013 when they drafted defenseman Seth Jones at No. 4 overall. And although falling two spots hurts, Trotz says it won't interfere with the team's draft plan. "(The lottery result) doesn't change a whole lot. You have a little more clarity because you know where you're picking," Trotz said. "At (No. 5), the options before us will send us in different directions than we thought." Included among the probable targets are a list of high-upside European and North American forwards, some of whom surfaced as serious contenders in recent rankings. With the first three prospects on the board, the Nashville Predators are considering other types of versatile forwards that add a blend of size, skill, and goal-scoring prowess. Porter Martone, an OHL Brampton Steelheads' 6-foot-3 winger, is a name continuing to gain traction. Playmaker and scorer, Martone had 98 points (37 goals, 61 assists) on the year in just 57 games. Size and scoring potential could be the perfect mix for Nashville's evolving top six. Another option is Roger McQueen of the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings. At 6 feet 5 inches, McQueen provides two-way skill and physicality, even with an injury-curtailed season in which he still posted more than a point per game. QMJHL centre Caleb Desnoyers has also joined the discussion after a breakout season with 84 points for the Moncton Wildcats. An elite skater with exceptional hands, Desnoyers is one of the biggest risers leading up to the draft. Outside of Europe, Djurgardens IF teammates Anton Frondell and Victor Eklund bring opposing but complementary attractive skill sets. Eklund, the 5-11 right wing, topped the team in scoring, while Frondell, the centre when healthy, provided glimpses of elite-level vision and playmaking skills after missing time with a knee injury. The Predators enter the 2025 NHL Draft not only with the No. 5 selection but also armed with two additional first-round picks. This gives Barry Trotz and his scouting staff plenty of flexibility to balance their prospect pool and add both immediate and future-impact players.Also read: “Always had that passion and love”: Barry Trotz explains what makes Alex Ovechkin special and uniqueAlthough the Predators might have missed out on the No. 1 overall fantasy, the chance to add high-ceiling talent to their roster is still very much alive — and Trotz seems intent on making it count.