Hall of Fame executive GM David Poile’s final draft class begins shaping the Nashville Predators’ future

Hall of Fame executive David Poile may have stepped away from the general manager's role in 2023, but the impact of his draft class is now beginning to shape the future of the Nashville Predators franchise. According to a recent report from Sports Illustrated, Nashville’s 2023 NHL Draft class is starting to arrive at the professional level, reinforcing the long-term legacy of Poile that he left behind before retiring after more than four decades as an NHL general manager. Reports suggest that in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Nashville Predators served as Polie's farewell event as the architect of the Predators. During the draft, he made 11 selections that quickly became one of the organization’s most closely watched prospect groups. The following 11 selections in the 2023 NHL Draft included players like Matthew Wood, Tanner Molendyk, Felix Nilsson, Kalan Lind, Jesse Kiiskinen, Dylan MacKinnon, Joey Willis, Juha Jatkola, Sutter Muzzatti, and others.The former general manager of the Nashville Predators, who is no longer associated with the team, but the legacy he left behind is still shaping the Nashville Predators’ future. As his last significant, he stated, “For my last pick of all-time, this is the player: Aiden Fink, from Brooks," Poile announced at Bridgestone Arena, the home of the Predators. "Thanks, everybody,” he added.One of the exceptional players from the batch is forward Matthew Wood, who was selected 15th overall. Wood has already established himself as one of the most promising young forwards in Nashville’s system. He carved a niche in the game by recording 17 goals and 13 assists during his rookie NHL season.Besides, defenseman Tanner Molendyk is also considered one of the promising players chosen by Poile. Molendyk also showed a brilliant display of performance after spending time with the organization’s AHL affiliate in Milwaukee.Molendyk is considered close to becoming a full-time NHL contributor, with scouts continuing to praise his skating ability and offensive upside. The draft class also includes forwards Felix Nilsson, Kalan Lind, and Aiden Fink. Fink, notably Poile’s final-ever draft pick.It is to be noted that Poile retired in 2023 as the winningest general manager in NHL history and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2024 as a builder. He spent 26 seasons leading the Predators after helping launch the expansion franchise in 1998.While Nashville is looking forward to a roster transition under new leadership, the emergence of Poile’s final draft selections suggests the organization is getting the benefit from the groundwork laid during his final years running the club.