Jun 28, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Egor Surin is selected by the Nashville Predators with the 22nd overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft at The Sphere. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The Nashville Predators enter the 2026 NHL Draft with 11 picks for new general manager Chris MacFarland to use.

The Predators enter the KeyBank Center in Buffalo tied with the New York Rangers for the second-most picks across the seven rounds, trailing just the St.

Louis Blues who have 13 picks.

There's already been some predraft movement in the top ten picks, but McFarland told reporters in a predraft press conference that, despite making calls to move up, he expects to make the Predators' first pick when No.

10 is on the board on Friday night.

Experts consider the top of the draft to be ripe with defensive talent, but many mock drafters predict the Predators to select a forward.

17-year-old Wyatt Cullen out of Moorhead, Minnesota is considered one of the top forwards that can fall into Nashville's range.

18-year-old Ethan Belchetz is out of Ontario, Canada and is rumored to be on Nashville's radar.

The NHL Draft first round can be seen on ESPN beginning at 6 p.m.

CT.

The second through seventh rounds begin on Saturday at 10 a.m.

CT and can be seen on ESPN+.

Live Updates (Refresh Your Browser For Latest Updates) - The NHL Draft is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

CT from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are the clock with the first overall pick.

Nashville Predators 2026 NHL Draft Picks - Round 1, Pick 10 - Round 2, Pick 42 - Round 2, Pick 57 (via Minnesota) - Round 3, Pick 70 (via Seattle and Dallas) - Round 4, Pick 106 - Round 4, Pick 118 (via Pittsburgh) - Round 5, Pick 138 - Round 5, Pick 148 (via Edmonton) - Round 5, Pick 160 (via Carolina) - Round 6, Pick 179 (via Utah) - Round 7, Pick 202 Latest Nashville Predators Mock Drafts for No.

10 ESPN: Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor Spitfires Bleacher Report: Wyatt Cullen, LW, USNTDP NHL.com: Wyatt Cullen, LW, USNTDP Elite Prospect: Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor Spitfires TSN: Alex Command, C, Orebro Follow us on Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube, Threads, Bluesky and Instagram for the latest news.

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